United eyes millennial demand with trade outreach

(From left) United's Patrick Quayle, Laurence Chin and Marcel Fuchs

Amid launching direct connections between Singapore and the US – with its latest being the only direct route to Los Angeles – United Airlines has set its eyes on a growing millennial travel market between the two destinations.

Speaking to TTG Asia in an interview, United’s vice president, Atlantic & Pacific sales, Marcel Fuchs, said: “The Singapore ambassador in US informed us that there has been 10 per cent more demand for travel from US to Singapore, and interestingly, lots of millennials are travelling between US and Singapore. We hope to drive this trend further.”

(From left) United’s Patrick Quayle, Laurence Chin and Marcel Fuchs

With this focus in mind, United has added three management positions in Singapore. It is also increasing trade outreach, said Laurence Chin, its country manager Singapore, although he did not detail how, besides sharing the airline’s longterm plans, including investments in its services at Los Angeles International Airport where it most recently did a US$570 million revamp of its ticketing lobby, service reception, baggage carousel and lounge.

The airline has also upgraded its mobile app. Fuchs shared that the app, whose features include automated check-in, flight status and in-flight entertainment displays – will soon enable United passengers to make changes to their flight itineraries as well as scan and store their visas.

The airline is also adding Polaris lounges throughout all hubs in the US, London, Hong Kong and Tokyo.

Patrick Quayle, its vice president, international network, added that the airline’s latest Los Angeles route opens up access to emerging regions Austin, Dallas and Houston in Texas.

In response to LCC entering the longhaul playing field, Quayle remarked that United remains competitive with its direct trans-Pacific route, but is keeping an eye on potential competition in the future.

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