United Airlines is transitioning to an all-electric fleet for its gate-to-gate transfer program, saying goodbye to Mercedes-Benz and hello to the 2023 Jaguar I-PACE.
United Airlines And Jaguar Partner To Offer Tarmac Transfers At Key Hubs
If you are a frequent United flyer and find yourself with a very tight connection, do not rush to your next flight without ensuring an agent is not standing in the jetbridge holding a placard with your name on it.
United explains that rather than being a published service, its ground transfer service is a “surprise benefit for select Premier MileagePlus members with tight connections at the air carrier’s U.S. hub airports.”
A member learns of the surprise upon landing at the airport, where they’re greeted by a specialized Premier Services agent who shows the customer to the vehicle on the tarmac and accompanies them to their connecting flight.
Historically, this benefit was concentrated on high-spending Global Services passengers, which is United’s invite-only top elite tier.
Prior to the pandemic, United used a fleet of Mercedes-Benz aircraft for years for this service but is now switching to the 2023 Jaguar I-PACE HSE. That vehicle is now available in Chicago (ORD) and will be coming to other hubs later this year, including:
- Denver (DEN)
- Houston (IAH)
- Newark (EWR)
- Los Angeles (LAX)
- San Francisco (SFO)
Luc Bondar, who is the President of MileagePlus and Vice President of Loyalty at United, explained:
“The new United-Jaguar ground transfer program offers travelers a moment of luxury and ease, while also raising sustainability standards for the airline industry. United is working to lead with innovation and purpose that motivates the industry to do better for our customers and communities. 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.”
A press release from United details the specs and pricing on the Jaguar I-PACE. I have to wonder whether United paid Jaguar or Jaguar paid United to use its vehicles. In any case, Mercedes-Benz is out, Jaguar is in.
CONCLUSION
United Airlines will offer gate-to-gate transfers for select high-value passengers on a “surprise and delight” basis using new Jaguar electric vehicles. The new fleet will first appear in Chicago and later spread to United’s other U.S. hubs.
“as we know customers consider sustainability when booking travel,” LOL!! How do they know that? Kirby is always full of …. I think United and Jaguar are a perfect match. Two tasteless brands.
Or two brands that are shells of their former self
Enuff of thees libtards! I don’t want no enviermentally frendly plains! Bring back the 707 fergodsakes, I need to see a trail of black smoke behind my plain!
I’m never sure exactly what it is that’s being sustained.
Hopefully United will know about all the jag breakdowns that they’ll be in for. I would choose something more reliable, like a Lexus or Acura. Aren’t they planning to release their RZ & ZDX EVs?
LOL!! I thought the same. Jaguars and Land Rovers (both owned by Tata Motors) are plagued cars. I would not be surprised to see top United fliers having to walk on the tarmac to not lose the their connections.
I’m guessing that this decision was made by their branding contractor, Priestman Goode, which also happens to be British
Jaguar has been an Indian company since 2008. They might still live under the British heritage but they are Indian cars.
Owned by Tata Motors, as you stated, but manufactured in Coventry, England.
Prior to being taken over by Tata, Jaguar Motors and Land Rover were close to bankruptcy. Tata have managed to turnaround the brands financially.
Yes, reliability was hit or miss before the take-over, but has gradually improved.
Reliability has improved? Do you know the joke about buying a Range Rover (owned by Tata)? Always buy two. One to drive and one for spare parts. Anyone that knows cars runs from Range Rovers and Jaguars.
Joking aside, there certainly has been an improvement reliability. It is better today, under Tata, than previously.
I will say that the reliability issue is more prevalent in the US – not so much in the UK, Probably has to do with the harsher weather conditions in the US, and variability.
When I lived in the UK, there were plenty of folks with Jag’s and LR’s (still the case today), and reliability was always top notch.
Electric cars don’t break down with anything approaching the regularity of combustion engines. Toyota & Honda are dead last in electrifying their fleet.
Jaguar is footing most of the cost here.
Mercedes has really nice all electric cars. It is all about money and I wouldn’t be surprised someone high at UA is getting something to make this change. As for reliability of electric cars, ask many of my friends that own them.
Poor Dulles getting treated like it isn’t a hub.
“Sorry, sir. We would have met you at the plane, but the Jag is in the shop.”