May 20
Jan 15
United Is The First U.S. Airline To Offer Satellite Wi-Fi Service To Its International Flights
Posted in: Today's Chili
United Airlines, touted as the world’s largest airline in terms of destinations and passengers flown, is the first U.S. airline to offer onboard satellite-based Wi-Fi Internet connectivity to its international flights. It’s important to note that onboard Wi-Fi is already widely used on domestic flights. Other international non-U.S. airlines have been offering a similar kind of service, but U.S. has yet to introduce one. Today, United is the first U.S.-based international carrier to offer such service. (more…)
By Ubergizmo. Related articles: 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class Is Most Aerodynamic Production Vehicle, iPhone Hack Lets You Start Your Car By Sending An SMS, 
Jan 15
Finally tired of being trounced by its competitors in the on-board internet arena, United Airlines has outfitted its first international widebody plane with satellite-based Wi-Fi. The service should be rolled out to 300 additional aircrafts by the end of the year. More »
Oct 26
The 787 wearing ANA colors
When Boeing delivered its new 787 airplane to United Airlines back in September, it was a moment for celebration. However, the Air Line Pilots Association has a problem with last-minute changes to the jumbo jet. Apparently, a key piece of safety equipment was purposely left out. The piece in question is a safety gate that’s designed to prevent bad guys from rushing the cockpit when the pilot goes to the bathroom. A well-placed cart can supposedly perform the same service, but it’s still disconcerting that a planned safety feature was removed from a final production plane. And the reason is even worse: it’s to save money. According to the ALPA, United is integrating its fleet with Continental’s, which don’t feature the safety gate. It’s a whole lot cheaper to remove the gate from new planes than to retrofit a whole fleet.
What do you think? Does this make you feel less safe while flying?
Photo courtesy of Gordon Werner.
By Ubergizmo. Related articles: Boeing missile disables enemy electronics, makes for the ideal first wave , Boeing flagship planes will support cellular calling by 2013,
Aug 02
Boeing prepares to deliver United’s 787 Dreamliner, we climb aboard for a tour (video)
Posted in: Today's Chili 
Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner is the hottest bird in aviation, and while the American-made airliner has already taken flight with passengers aboard, it has yet to land with US-flag air carrier livery along the fuselage. Japan’s All Nippon Airways was the first to take delivery, with the premier pair making their way from the assembly line in September of 2011. Last year Japan Airlines made its first scheduled voyage across the Pacific in a Dreamliner of its own, and we were fortunate enough to fly roundtrip on a domestic ANA flight leaving from Tokyo a few months later. But now the 787 is making its way to an American carrier. As the first US airline to operate the plane, United Airlines is about to take delivery of its first of 50 Dreamliners, which will join the carrier’s fleet to service both existing and new routes, such as Denver to Tokyo, which is set to launch in late March of next year.
We traveled to Boeing’s Everett, Washington factory today for a first look at United’s aircraft. While the Dreamliner looks physically identical to ANA’s plane, the on-board experience is decidedly different from what we saw in Japan. Though the Dreamliner has a very similar layout to United’s bigger 777, it feels roomier thanks to larger windows with dimmable shades, expanded overheard bins and higher ceilings. There’s plenty more to see, though, so jump past the break for a video tour of United’s new mid-size flagship, and a closer look in photos.
Gallery: United Dreamliner interior
Filed under: Transportation
Boeing prepares to deliver United’s 787 Dreamliner, we climb aboard for a tour (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 02 Aug 2012 16:29:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Jul 31
United 787 Dreamliner emerges from Boeing factory, complete with golden head-to-tail ‘swoop’
Posted in: Today's Chili 
The first US-based 787 carrier is inching closer to its Dreamliner service launch. United Airlines celebrated the plane’s rollout today at Boeing’s Everett, Washington factory. The aircraft, which is set to begin international service later this year, received a custom livery, which includes a curved “swoop” — which oddly enough appears to be the focus of design chatter. That may just be because the public has yet to take a peek inside, though we did have an opportunity to hitch a ride on ANA’s variant last year, which has been flying throughout Japan since late 2011. Despite All Nippon’s head start, United’s flavor has garnered much attention domestically, marking a massive milestone in the Dreamliner’s delayed launch. Hit up our source link below for a few more (exterior) views, courtesy of United.
Filed under: Transportation
United 787 Dreamliner emerges from Boeing factory, complete with golden head-to-tail ‘swoop’ originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 31 Jul 2012 23:44:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Jul 21
United upgrading Gogo in-flight WiFi on its premium service fleet, speeds will reach 9.8 Mbps
Posted in: Today's Chili 
It won’t be enough to cancel out the Engadget editor using in-flight WiFi to upload photo galleries (sorry, guys), but it should make web surfing from coach a little less tedious. United has just announced that it will be upgrading its Gogo in-air WiFi service to take advantage of Gogo’s enhanced ATG-4 service, which promises to bump speeds from the current 3.1 Mbps to 9.8 Mbps using directional antennae, dual modems and EV-DO Rev. B. Before you get too excited, though, keep in mind that United has so far only committed to retrofitting its premium service fleet, which includes 13 planes that fly between New York’s JFK and either LAX or SFO.
Filed under: Transportation, Wireless
United upgrading Gogo in-flight WiFi on its premium service fleet, speeds will reach 9.8 Mbps originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 21 Jul 2012 03:07:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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