United Considering Corporate Jet Service

United Airlines parent UAL Corp. said it is considering services to lure high-end travelers out of delayed and crowded airliners and into smaller, more convenient business jets. UAL, which runs the world’s second-largest airline, cautioned that there is no guarantee its possible foray into the market for corporate jet services, which has boomed in recent years, will take off. UAL said it has explored such ideas as fractional ownership of aircraft, charter services, a corporate shuttle and links between United’s mainline commercial service and other business aviation services outside the United States. Under fractional ownership, various businesses or individuals buy shares in the use of an aircraft, much like time shares in a vacation house. Companies with thriving corporate jet businesses typically don’t run major airlines. The largest is Executive Jet, which is owned by Berkshire Hathaway Inc., headed by billionaire Warren Buffett. Jet makers Bombardier Inc. and Raytheon Co. also have gotten into the fractional-ownership business. UAL shares closed up 25 cents at $36.25 on the New York Stock Exchange.