United Airlines Flies Inaugural Group of Chinese Leisure Travelers to the United States

Travelers part of newly established Approved Destination Status program

Beijing, China (June 19, 2008) /ChinaNewswire.com/ — United Airlines, the world's largest trans-Pacific carrier, helped make history today when the airline flew the inaugural groups participating in the Approved Destination Status (ADS) program from China to the United States. United facilitated flight arrangements for groups departing from Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou to the U.S. after the two countries signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to open up the group leisure travel market last year.

Each group comprised of around 80 people, with China National Tourism Administration (CNTA) Chairman, Shao Qiwei, leading the inaugural PRC tour group on United's Capital-to-Capital service from Beijing to Washington, D.C. today.

"United Airlines is proud to be part of this historic occasion and views today as yet another step in our on-going effort to connect the cultures and commerce of China and the U.S," said Sidney Kwok, director, People's Republic of China, United Airlines. "2008 has been an eventful year for United in China, and we look forward to one of most exciting and eagerly anticipated summers ever with the Summer Olympic Games in August."

On December 11, 2007, during the Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade (JCCT) in Beijing, CNTA and the U.S. Department of Commerce signed The Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the United States of America to Facilitate Outbound Tourist Group Travel from China to the United States. Under the MOU, PRC travel agents will be able to work with U.S. companies to organize and market packaged group holidays to the U.S. In addition, U.S. travel and tourism authorities will be able to market their states and individual destinations in China.

"United is proud to be able to provide more service between China and the U.S. than any other U.S. carrier with a total of five daily nonstop flights departing Beijing and Shanghai each day," Kwok continued. "We will continue to invest in this market by providing the best available products and enhancing our services."

2008 has been a very busy year for United. In March, United moved into Beijing Terminal 3 to remain close to its Star Alliance codeshare partner, Air China. Similarly, in April, the airline moved into Shanghai Pudong Airport'sTerminal Two along with Star Alliance partner, Shanghai Airlines.

Following the tragic earthquake in Sichuan, the airline called upon its customers and employees for donations and has successfully raised more than US$1.3 million in cash donations for earthquake relief. United gave 500 bonus miles to Mileage Plus customer that donated US$50 or more to the American Red Cross through united.com up to 5 million frequent flyer miles. United's charity Foundation also matched employee contributions.

Later this year, United will provide travel to the US Olympic team for U.S. athletes to compete at the summer Olympic Games. United has provided air travel for America's Olympic-hopeful athletes to training events, international and national competitions, as well as to the world's biggest sporting events, since 1980.

About United
United Airlines (NASDAQ: UAUA) operates more than 3,200* flights a day on United and United Express to more than 200 U.S. domestic and international destinations from its hubs in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Denver, Chicago and Washington, D.C. With key global air rights in the Asia-Pacific region, Europe and Latin America, United is one of the largest international carriers based in the United States. United also is a founding member of Star Alliance, which provides connections for our customers to 965 destinations in 162 countries worldwide. United's 55,000 employees reside in every U.S. state and in many countries around the world. News releases and other information about United can be found at the company's Web site at united.com.

*Based on United's flight schedule between Jan. 1, 2008, and Dec. 31, 2008.

About United in China
United Airlines, the world's largest transpacific airline, celebrates more than 20 years of flying to the Asia Pacific region. Commencing service to China in 1986, United was the first U.S. carrier to launch nonstop services between China and the U.S. United currently offers five daily transpacific flights between mainland China and the U.S. with easy connections to more than 160 cities in the U.S.

United's China services include daily nonstop flights from Beijing to Washington D.C., Chicago and San Francisco, from Shanghai to Chicago and San Francisco. In 2007, United carried almost a million passengers between China and the U.S.