United Airlines' Expanded Service to Central America, Through TACA GROUP Code-share and Frequent Flyer Agreement, Starts Today

CHICAGO, June 15 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- United Airlines and TACA GROUP today begin their code-share agreement, significantly expanding international destination options and frequent-flyer opportunities for customers of both carriers.

"Partnering with such a prominent, high-quality Latin American airline group as TACA both strengthens the value of our service and supports our ability to grow internationally," says Mike Whitaker, United's vice president- Alliances, International & Regulatory Affairs. "Our agreement with TACA enables us to significantly and strategically increase the depth and breadth of our service into Central America for our customers."

"Complementary route networks, shared commitment to superior customer service, and an experience in the industry that dates back to the beginning of the century make TACA and United natural partners in their continuous efforts to improve the customer travel experience," says Roberto Kriete, TACA's president of the Board and CEO. "This agreement's forward-looking approach yields strategic implications that will enable our users to enjoy a worldwide connection and combined frequent flyer benefits."

TACA GROUP serves 35 cities in 19 countries in the Americas, with hub operations in San Salvador, El Salvador; San Jose, Costa Rica; and Lima, Peru.

The combination of the carriers' complementary networks opens doors for customers of each airline, giving United's customers the opportunity to fly and earn Mileage Plus(R) miles to places never before served in Central and South America and redeem miles for award travel to destinations such as Costa Rica, Belize and Peru (e.g., Lima and Cuzco). Additionally, customers flying with TACA will have the opportunity to connect to destinations worldwide via United from four of its five U.S. domestic hubs, including Chicago O'Hare, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Washington Dulles, while earning DISTANCIA miles.

Customers of both United and TACA may now purchase one ticket, check in for the complete journey and receive miles in their frequent flyer program from the cities United serves to destinations served by TACA, and vice versa.

About TACA

TACA GROUP is the leading commercial aviation consortium in Latin America, serving its customers with 30 Airbus aircraft, all from the A320 family. TACA is the result of a strategic alliance that integrates Central America with the United States, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and South America. TACA's vision guides more than 6,000 employees that work in unison to operate 135 daily flights -- with an average 12 hours of flight a day per aircraft and a 93 percent on-time performance, offering world-class service with Latin taste. During 2006, the airline will serve 3.5 million passengers and expects a sales volume of $750 million. More information on TACA and its services can be found at http://www.taca.com/ and news releases can be accessed through http://news.taca.com/ .

About United

United Airlines (NASDAQ: UAUA) operates more than 3,700* flights a day on United, United Express and Ted to more than 210 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 is also a founding member of Star Alliance, which provides connections for our customers to 842 destinations in 152 countries worldwide. United's 57,000 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 the flight schedule between May 1, 2006 and Dec. 31, 2006.

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