UNITED Airlines is to reintroduce large capacity Boeing 747-400 aircraft on UK routes next year to meet growing demand for premium seats.
The carrier currently operates to six US points from Heathrow using a combination of B777s and B767s.
It withdrew B747s from the UK two years ago and redeployed them in other markets because of lower operating costs using B777s.
But with the introduction of its United First Suite – seats that turn into a flat bed – the carrier believes there is a strong case to reintroduce the larger capacity B747 alongside the B777s.
The first of United’s 44 Boeing 747-400s will be equipped with the suites this month, with complete rollout set for October next year. First-class cabin capacity will be reduced from 18 seats to 14 suites.
Refitting first-class on the B777 fleet has already started on nine aircraft, while a further 31 will be equipped with the new suites by August next year. The first-class cabin has 10 suites compared with the old 12 seats.
United confirmed the B747 will return to the UK market at the end of 2000 and was likely to be used on long-haul routes such as Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago and New York.
The move will make it the only US airline to use the B747 to the UK and allow it to use slots more efficiently as it seeks to share Heathrow services with Star Alliance partner British Midland.