Posted on: Friday, February 13, 2004

United debuts low-cost airline

By Melissa Allison
Chicago Tribune

DENVER — It was a day United Airlines planned for months, planning details down to the last cocktail napkin imprinted with "Thanks for flying with Ted."

United's low-cost airline debuted yesterday from its home base in Denver with much pomp and circumstance. Blue and orange balloons filled the ticketing and gate areas, employees handed out chocolate-chip cookies and coffee, and a rock band played for Ted's first flight out of Denver at 8 a.m.

But on that plane to Las Vegas and a trip back later in the day, a flight on Ted didn't feel much different than one on United.

There was a little more chatter over the loudspeaker than on United flights. The name "Ted" came up a lot when pilots and flight attendants addressed passengers, as in, "Good morning, ladies and gentleman. I'm Captain Ted." And, "We had a typical Ted early arrival today."

Even the safety video before takeoff assured travelers that "Ted wants you to be safe."

Passengers undoubtedly knew they were on Ted — some jokingly asked to meet him as they left the plane — but they were more interested in his prices than his style.

"It's nice to have another option in terms of cost," said Eli Haskell, a golf pro from Denver on his way to teach in Las Vegas. "I never fly anything but discounted fares."