The Associated Press

DENVER - Ted has taken off.

The first flight of United Airlines' discount carrier left Las Vegas for Denver before dawn Thursday, launching a crucial part of United's strategy for emerging from bankruptcy this summer.

United parent UAL Corp. hopes Ted will be competitive with low-cost carriers that are snatching customers from big airlines. The new airline is based at Denver International Airport.

Executives said Ted is different from other low-fare carriers because it is linked to United's frequent-flier program. It also includes a 66-seat Economy Plus section with extra leg room.

Sean Donohue, vice president of Ted, said early bookings are filling 90 percent of the airline's seats.

Routes include Los Angeles to Las Vegas and Denver to Las Vegas, Phoenix and New Orleans. Ted - as in UniTED - is expected to have 106 daily flights by early April.