United Airlines And Jaguar Partner For All Electric Gate To Gate Transfers

Date: October 25, 2022

BY RILEY PICKETT, Simple Flying

United Airlines has teamed up with car manufacturer Jaguar to offer passengers a fast and sustainable connection between gates. An all-electric 2023 Jaguar SUV will take passengers from one gate to another to make connecting flights. The service will commence at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport (ORD) before being rolled out to United's other hubs. United sees this as a way to promote sustainable transportation while rewarding its existing customers.

All-electric airport service

The chauffeured rides will only be available to United's MileagePlus Premium members. These select members with short connection times that are offered rides to their connecting flights will be transported on the ramp in one of Jaguar's premium vehicles. After the service is rolled out at ORD, United and Jaguar plan to offer the service at United's hubs at Denver International Airport (DEN), Newark Liberty Airport (EWR), San Francisco International Airport (SFO), Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), and Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD). The program is expected to be rolled out at each hub by year's end.

It is anticipated that each vehicle will drive over 60 trips per day. This means that the five-seat SUVs will transfer over 1,000 passengers each day. Each trip will be a surprise awaiting the selected passengers. Upon landing at their destinations, the passengers will be greeted by a Premier Service Agent who will escort them to the apron, where the next-generation SUV will be waiting.

United foresees this as a fantastic business partnership that will promote its premium services while allowing Jaguar to showcase its luxurious and sustainable product. The President of the MileagePlus Program and Vice President of Marketing and Loyalty at United Airlines, Luc Bondar, shared the airline's excitement for this new offering. Bondar stated,

"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."

Technological advancements

The new gate-to-gate service showcases both companies' commitment to advancing technology while reducing carbon emissions. Jaguar has been working on optimizing its electric vehicle program for years. This airport service will be the latest in a long line of technological advancements that the airline industry is seeing that promote sustainable transportation.

The President & CEO of Jaguar Land Rover North America, Joe Eberhardt, shared the company's enthusiasm for the partnership. It foresees a long eco-friendly alliance that will promote both United's and its own premium offerings. Eberhardt stated,

"We are thrilled to partner with United Airlines to further ignite the passion travelers have for eco-minded exploration, as sustainability and electrifying performance are at the heart of the Jaguar brand, both United and Jaguar have boldly pledged to advancing transportation technology that will help propel us towards a more sustainable future, and we are excited for travelers to have the opportunity to experience these innovations on the tarmac."