Navigating air travel can be tricky for any trip. It’s even more imperative that things go smoothly when it comes to business travel. More specifically for production studios, coordinating travel plans effectively is crucial for sending crew, talent, studio personnel and expensive equipment all over the world.
Not every airline understands the challenges that executives and productions face when managing travel for a film or TV project. Delays or a shift in the filming schedule could result in significant financial repercussions. These challenges could be the difference between a film project staying on track or resulting in costly postponements and cancellations.
United Airlines is equipped to handle these unique challenges and has made distinct efforts to support the entertainment industry with the United for Business program.
United’s personalized strategy helps clients in the entertainment industry save money by working within specialized production travel agreements, all while offering higher levels of support for groups and individuals who are flying for industry projects. “Supporting the entertainment industry is a top priority for United because it aligns with our mission, ‘Connecting people. Uniting the world,’” says Jon Purpura, director of entertainment sales at United Airlines.
“Our two industries are pivotal in creating memories and encouraging cultural exchange that fosters a shared human experience. We take pride in offering solutions that meet the entertainment industry’s unique needs for business travel so they can focus on their production.”
Specific elements of the United for Business program encompass everything from upgrades for traveling crew members to affordable rates, a 24/7 entertainment support desk, VIP airport services, flight discounts, and flat fees on checked baggage and equipment. Plus, these benefits are extended to both large-scale corporations and independent creatives working on smaller projects. Agreements are free to sign up for, and new customers get immediate access to the benefits and support.
“United for Business offers entertainment production agreements that encompass a wide variety of benefits — from discounts on airfare to status upgrades and even a flat rate for film equipment,” Purpura says. “We aim to be a trusted air partner for filmmakers, large or small, by facilitating a smooth and efficient travel experience.”
Working within the program also ensures members of traveling production teams are in communication with United’s entertainment support staff, who can offer hands-on, personalized assistance when things don’t go as planned. Among the many assets of the program are transparency and visibility between the film crew, who are working on the road, and United’s internal entertainment support teams.
“One example of tremendous support for a customer happened just recently,” Purpura shares. “A production crew was heading from Los Angeles to San Juan, Puerto Rico, with a connection in Washington, D.C. In addition to the crew, they checked 16 media bags. While at Los Angeles International Airport, the first leg experienced a delay that would have caused a misconnect at Washington Dulles International Airport, leaving the crew stuck in D.C. until the next day.”
United’s support teams were made aware of the crew’s situation and executed real-time adjustments to ensure the crew made their connection. “Our United entertainment support team jumped into action,” Purpura says. “The airport team monitored the inbound flight and held the connecting flight to San Juan for 24 minutes. In addition to holding the flight, representatives met the production crew at their arrival gate and drove them to the departure gate with time to spare. All media bags were specifically identified and transferred by the United ground crew as well. The crew ultimately was on their way to Puerto Rico on time and with all their baggage accounted for. This extra level of dedication and service is just one example of the support provided for our entertainment clients.”
In addition, United ensures that entertainment professionals have an added measure of security when they’re traveling. “We understand that managing travel logistics is more challenging than ever and planning sometimes requires more support,” Purpura says. “Our 24/7 dedicated entertainment support team helps address any travel challenges that may arise during your project to keep your production moving forward.”
The airline company has also made investments in the technology on their planes. “We’re elevating the journey for all passengers by investing in hundreds of new aircraft that offer enough overhead bin space for everyone’s carry-on, TVs at every seat and Bluetooth connectivity,” Purpura says. “Our in-flight entertainment provides a range of options for passengers to enjoy during our flight. From a diverse movie selection to trending music, we aim to elevate the experience for all travelers.”