The airline announced select MileagePlus Premier flyers will be offered an escort to the gate in an electric 2023 Jaguar I-PACE HSE.
New Partnership Expected to Transport Over 1,000 United Flyers Daily
Under the new agreement, United will operate the Jaguar I-PACE HSE at their major U.S. hubs by the end of 2022: Denver International Airport (DEN), Houston George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD), San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). Once all the vehicles are delivered, United expects to transport over 1,000 passengers daily using the luxury electric vehicles.
The I-PACE HSE is described as the first “all electric performance SUV from Jaguar.” With the retail price starting at $71,300, the vehicle features “16-way Windsor Leather heated and cooled front sports seats with heated rear seats” and a Meridian 3D surround sound system. At an EPA estimated range of 246 miles per charge, the vehicles are expected to handle 60 trips per day.
United MileagePlus Premier elites will not be able to reserve a ride in the vehicles ahead of time. Instead, it will be a surprise benefit for those with tight connections at airports. Those selected for the rides will be greeted at the gate by a Premier Services agent, who will escort them to their ride and accompany them to their next flight.
“United is working to lead with innovation and purpose that motivates the industry to do better for our customers and communities,” United marketing and loyalty vice president and MileagePlus president Luc Bondar said in a statement. “Partnering with Jaguar to deploy an all-electric fleet is not only a smart business move, as we know customers consider sustainability when booking travel, it is the right thing to do.”
Move to Jaguar Electric Vehicles Upgrades Currently Existing Program
The move up to the Jaguar electric SUVs will augment a current service offered by the Chicago-based airline. Global Services members – the top “hidden tier” of the MileagePlus program – can get an escort between gates at certain hubs on a small fleet of Mercedes-Benz cars.
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Source: frugal travel guy