United Airlines Welcomes Back Boeing 787 Dreamliner

United's Dreamliner returns with Houston to Chicago flight

Hi-res photos and b-roll will be available on the Media Center on unitedcontinentalholdings.com on the afternoon of May 20

CHICAGO, May 20, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- United Airlines today welcomed back its Boeing 787 with the re-launch of commercial service from the airline's hub in Houston. United's Flight 1 departure from Houston Intercontinental at 11 a.m. to Chicago O'Hare marked the return of regular service using the world's most advanced and efficient aircraft on domestic and international routes.

"The 787 offers an unmatched travel experience for our customers and co-workers, and we are thrilled to be flying it again," said Jeff Smisek, United's chairman, president and chief executive officer. "This is an exciting time at United. Our investment in the Dreamliner is just one more example of our commitment to delivering the best product, route network and customer service in the industry."

United will operate additional Dreamliner flights on routes from Houston to other domestic hubs this week, and the airline will launch international 787 service on the much-anticipated Denver-Tokyo route on June 10. This summer United also plans to inaugurate 787 service on existing routes including Houston-London, Los Angeles-Tokyo, Los Angeles-Shanghai and Houston-Lagos. The airline expects to take delivery of two more Dreamliners from Boeing in the second half of 2013.