IN JANUARY, we debuted MileagePlus Headliners, an all-new auction program that lets MileagePlus members use their miles to bid on a host of experiences, including theater and sporting events, once-in-a-lifetime trips and airline adventures that money can’t buy.

Each month, MileagePlus Headliners will offer at least one unique bidding opportunity that includes VIP access. In January, for instance, it opened bidding on the chance to attend the “Team USA Experience” at the London 2012 Olympic Games, along with the opportunity to train like a pilot in United’s flight simulator in Denver. Later this year, it will offer the chance to fly on a United Boeing 787 Dreamliner delivery flight.

Several new auction items are available in February, including a six-day/five-night Jackson Hole winter ski travel package; tickets to a performance by the Boston Symphony Orchestra at New York’s Carnegie Hall; and premium seating at professional sporting events in Houston, Chicago, Cleveland and Miami.

In building the world’s leading airline, United is committed to offering customers the world’s leading loyalty program. This year we do so with new opportunities for program members to earn and redeem miles and to engage with our program in more ways than ever before.

MileagePlus Headliners will continue adding more choices of cultural and entertainment experiences. A complete list of auctions is available online at mileageplusawards.com/auctions, and check in periodically for new and exciting experiences.

ASK THE PILOT

With Captain Mike Bowers

Q: Are larger aircraft less susceptible to turbulence compared with smaller jets?
A: There are several factors that affect how an aircraft reacts to turbulence. The stiffness of the wing structure, for example, has an effect on how the turbulence is felt. A stiff wing transmits more movement directly to the cabin than does a wing with more flexibility. Generally speaking, larger aircraft have larger wingspans and therefore more flexible wings. In addition, our B777 aircraft, and to a greater extent our newest B787 aircraft, have a sophisticated computerized system that automatically sends electronic signals to the flight controls to counter the effects of turbulence felt in the cabin. On top of all that, as pilots we are trained to find the altitudes with the least turbulence because we know our passengers prefer a smoother flight.

Do you have a question for Captain Bowers? Write to him at askthepilot@united.com.

IN MERGING UNITED AND CONTINENTAL, we’re making thousands of changes, large and small, to build the airline that people prefer to fly. Our customers are noticing the repainted airplanes and the new signage in several of our largest airports. Other changes that directly affect the customer experience are the food and beverage options presented by our flight attendants.

Beginning in the first quarter of 2012, we will align our premium-cabin North American menus for United and Continental flights. Those changes will give customers an improved in-flight experience. Some of the highlights include the following signature food, snack and service offerings:

* Warmed nuts served in a china ramekin on lunch and dinner flights

* Premium snack baskets on selected flights

* Ice cream sundaes on most long-haul flights

* Warmed, all-natural cookies and scones on selected flights

* Pre-meal refresher hot towel service

A great example is our lunch and dinner service on transcontinental flights between New York-JFK/Newark and Los Angeles/San Francisco. United First and United Business customers will be served multicourse lunch and dinner meals featuring a cold appetizer, a choice of three entrées and an indulgent ice cream sundae. On longer-haul flights between Hawaii and destinations like Chicago, Houston and Newark, customers may satisfy their appetite with refreshment snack baskets and end their journey with a delicious meal of a hot sandwich or wrap served with fruit, salad and dessert.

Earlier this year, we aligned and expanded our alcoholic beverage offerings by introducing top-shelf spirit brands and domestic Budweiser beer in all cabins. We also offer popular specialty cocktails including Salvador’s Margaritas and Trader Vic’s Mai Tais in select markets. Premium-cabin pre-departure services have been standardized and we now offer customers more beverage options during boarding while settling into their seats. We also aligned our North America Choice Menu snacks and fresh food offerings in United Economy, offer sparkling wine in United Economy on flights between the mainland and Hawaii and most international flights, and introduced new and aligned international United Economy meals.

ASK THE PILOT

With Captain Mike Bowers

Q: As a frequent flyer, I’ve noticed that sometimes we encounter turbulence during our initial descent. It may be light or a bit choppy, but it always seems to happen on descent. Why is this?

A: Turbulence is related to either air currents that change in direction or speed, or something called “vertical lifting” that’s usually associated with cumulus clouds. During level flight, we search out the smoothest altitudes available and stay there. In a descent, however, we have to pass through altitudes where air currents are changing in order to land at our destination. While we always try our best to avoid turbulence because we’re aware it can be uncomfortable for passengers, sometimes it’s just unavoidable. At no time, however, would we fly in a weather situation that would put our passengers in any form of danger.

Do you have a question for Captain Bowers? Write to him at askthepilot@united.com.

THE FIRST FANTASY FLIGHT took off from Washington Dulles International Airport in 1990. The next year, United Airlines donated a 727 to fly 100 children from a London home­less shelter to Lapland, Finland, for reindeer sleigh rides and a visit to “Father Christmas Village.” Now a tradition that’s two decades strong, Fantasy Flights continue this year as United co-­workers deliver extra cheer to the kids who need it most.

Each December, deserving children board holiday­-decorated planes for a simulated journey to the North Pole. Organized by co­-workers at 11 airports this year, the event is a little different from location to location: Some flights take to the sky, while others reach their destination via high­-speed taxi. Either way, once the flights arrive, the children and their families tour Santa’s workshop, usually housed in a hangar or at a gate that’s been transformed by airline “elves.”

United volunteers start checking off their lists early, coordinating months in advance with local hospitals, shelters and schools to connect with kids for their Fantasy Flights. “Our partners at the local hospice center say Fantasy Flights are an absolute holiday high­light for their children,” says Bill Watts, airport operations terminal director and coordinator of the Fantasy Flight at Washington Dulles.

Once they select a group of children, volun­teers begin their preparations. From cookies to decorations, co-workers pull together to create a truly magical experience for the kids.

“It really is a labor of love — it’s a lot of work, but all worth it,” Watts says. “These events are so inspiring and really highlight the giving spirit of our co­workers.”

ASK THE PILOT

With Captain Mike Bowers

Q: I’ll sometimes hear a pilot say we’re going to climb to a higher altitude to get above the weather. Does that climb through the clouds cause any additional turbulence?

A: When pilots refer to weather, we’re generally talking about the clouds that produce precipitation. While certain clouds tend to contain more turbulence than others, there’s also the possibility of turbulence even when flying in completely clear air. So climbing above a layer of clouds doesn’t necessarily mean the flight will become smoother, nor does descending into a cloud necessarily mean it will become more turbulent.

Please keep your questions coming. I also want to hear your ideas for what our pilots can do, in addition to flying safely and on-­time, to enhance your flying experience. You can send me suggestions at the email address below.

Do you have a question for Captain Bowers? Write to him at askthepilot@united.com

Encompassing more than 50 lounges in 39 airports worldwide, United Clubs offer members and their guests complimentary bar service with snacks and beverages; business amenities such as Wi-Fi, conference rooms and workstations; and personalized assistance with reservations, seat selection, upgrades and boarding passes. In time, our remodeled clubs will provide even more business-friendly features that customers value, like additional workstations to enable them to be more productive.

Red Carpet Club and Presidents Club members may continue to access any of the new United Clubs with their current membership credentials. Members also have access to participating Star Alliance–affiliated lounges located all around the globe.

For more information about United Club and membership pricing, visit united.com/unitedclub or continental.com/unitedclub.

As for our second milestone, we recently announced the details of the 2012 MileagePlus loyalty program, including new benefits and services for United’s and Continental’s most frequent flyers, more opportunities for members to redeem their award miles and additional recognition for customers who purchase tickets in premium cabins or at premium economy fares.

Premier members enjoy benefits including upgrades, Premier Access, a checked-baggage allowance, Economy Plus seating and Premier bonus award miles. Premier-level status can be reached with as few as 25,000 Premier qualifying miles or 30 Premier qualifying segments.

We are building the world’s most rewarding loyalty program, and we now have more than 30 worldwide airline partners and thousands of participating hotels, car rental agencies, restaurants and retailers. To learn more about the program and all the benefits you can enjoy, go to www.mileageplus.com

ASK THE PILOT

With Captain Mike Bowers

Q: Why is it that flights going east to west within the U.S. take longer than flights going west to east, especially in the winter?
A: The reason the flights take more time when heading west is because you’re flying into a headwind caused by the jet stream, which flows from west to east in the U.S. Conversely, when flying east you have a tailwind. The winds at flying altitude are normally in the range of 70 to 100 mph in the summer and can be even higher in the winter. That speed is directly added to or subtracted from the aircraft’s ground speed and, as a result, makes a significant difference in flying time.

Do you have a question for Captain Bowers? Write to him at askthepilot@united.com

IF YOU SEE coworkers from our United and Continental subsidiaries sporting pink hats, ties or scarves this month, it’s because they’re showing their support for National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

By wearing pink items throughout October, our coworkers become visible symbols of United’s support for those battling the disease and for those working to find a cure.

Breast cancer is the second most common cancer in American women, after skin cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, an estimated 230,480 cases of invasive breast cancer are expected to be diagnosed in the United States in 2011. Today, there are about 2.5 million breast cancer survivors living in the United States.

The new United is proud to continue its involvement with organizations that raise awareness and provide critical care and support to individuals and families affected by this disease. That support will be a significant part of our portfolio of giving. During National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, United’s support will help increase awareness about breast cancer, share information on the disease and provide greater access to screening.

Customers can also support the cause at any time throughout the year by making a donation of MileagePlus or OnePass miles to the American Cancer Society at united.com/charitymiles or continental.com/charitymiles. Through the generosity of our customers, more than 180 million miles have already been donated to help individuals fighting cancer receive the treatment they need.

We hope that you will join us in continuing to show support for National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Walk, donate, educate — and wear your pink proudly.

ASK THE PILOT

With Captain Mike Bowers

Q: Whenever I see pilots in the airport, they always seem to be carrying a large briefcase along with their luggage. What’s in there?
A: Pilots are required to carry certain manuals and navigational charts with them in flight. The combined United and Continental fleets form the world’s leading airline and, as such, their pilots need to carry a large amount of navigational charts (those briefcases can weigh as much as 40 pounds!). Due to the heft of the bags and the desire to go paperless, we’re in the process of converting our paper charts into an electronic form that can display on an Apple iPad. Each pilot will soon be issued an iPad containing all of the information that was previously in our paper manuals. In the future, you shouldn’t be seeing us toting the heavy bags around anymore.

Do you have a question for Captain Bowers? Write to him at askthepilot@united.com

After choosing a single loyalty program, we unveiled the all-new MileagePlus Explorer Card in partnership with Chase Card Services, which provides exclusive airline privileges and unmatched travel benefits when cardholders fly on United. The card also provides other benefits that extend throughout our customers’ entire travel experience. Just a few of the perks include first checked bag free, priority boarding, complimentary United airport club passes and more award seat redemption options. The MileagePlus Explorer Card benefits are also available on the Continental Airlines OnePass Plus Card.

Our partnership with Chase enables MileagePlus members to earn even more miles with their everyday spending, which can be redeemed for travel on United and all 27 Star Alliance member airlines, as well as for hotel stays, car rentals and merchandise.

The new MileagePlus Explorer Card was designed for those looking to enhance their entire travel experience; it is truly unmatched in the marketplace in the access it delivers and value it offers to United customers.

The card also offers a comprehensive suite of travel protection benefits, including trip cancellation and trip delay coverage, auto rental collision damage waivers, roadside assistance and 24/7 travel emergency services.

So go ahead, be an explorer and see all that the new MileagePlus credit card has to offer.

For more information about the United MileagePlus Explorer Card, or to apply, visit www.UnitedExplorerCard.com or call 1-888-744-6899. The $95 annual fee for the new MileagePlus Explorer Card will be waived for the first year on a promotional basis. New MileagePlus Explorer Cards will exclusively be Visa cards. Fees for additional/oversize/overweight bags will apply. Purchase of ticket(s) with MileagePlus Explorer Card required. See www.united.com/chasebag for details.

ASK THE PILOT

With Captain Mike Bowers

Q: What do the chimes we hear in the cabin after takeoff and before landing signify?
A: The chime sound onboard the aircraft is one of several ways for the pilots to communicate with the flight attendants. We also have interphone and public address functions available to us. For routine operations we use the chimes because they are less distracting for the pilots and more accessible to the flight attendants. The chimes you hear when passing 10,000 feet while climbing let the flight attendants know that they can announce the use of approved electronic devices and also that they can begin their service. On descent, they mean just the opposite, that the flight attendants can announce the end of electronics usage and that they need to terminate their service and prepare the cabin for landing.

Do you have a question for Captain Bowers?
Write to him at askthepilot@united.com

LAST MONTH, United’s most frequent flyer, Tom Stuker, reached an incredible milestone by becoming the first United traveler ever to fly 10 million miles. To celebrate this achievement, this megamiler joined United employees who have worked with him over the years, his immediate family, friends and United executives at a special event held at Chicago O’Hare International Airport.

Based in Chicago, Stuker joined the MileagePlus program in 1982. He flew 5,962 United flights to reach 10 million miles, racking up most of his miles on trips to Asia and Australia in his role as an automotive sales consultant.

He has been to all 50 states (including Hawaii on 70 occasions), Australia more than 200 times and Asia nearly 30 times, for both business and pleasure. Despite covering all that territory, there are still places Stuker hasn’t visited. He has never been to Scotland, Portugal, Mumbai or a handful of islands in the Caribbean. Now, however, thanks to the merger between United and Continental, he can fly nonstop from New York to these destinations and many, many more.

United has been honored to have Tom Stuker fly with us throughout the years. In a lot of ways, he’s more than just a customer — he’s family, and United appreciates his loyalty.

Stuker says flying 10 million miles has allowed him to collect just as many great memories, smiles, experiences and new relationships along the way. He credits the thousands of people at United who have made flying all those miles such a wonderful experience.

ASK THE PILOT

With Captain Mike Bowers

Q: Why do some planes have the tips of their wings turned up?
A: The turned-up wings you see have “winglets” attached to the end. They reduce aerodynamic drag to improve the fuel efficiency of the aircraft and extend the distance it can fly. Today, more than 300 aircraft in our mainline fleet are equipped with this feature, including our Boeing 737, Boeing 757 and Airbus aircraft. United recently ordered winglets for our Boeing 767 fleet and plans to begin installing them early next year. In addition to improving fuel efficiency, winglets deliver up to a five percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and noise.

Do you have a question for Captain Bowers?
Write to him at askthepilot@united.com

UNITED AIRLINES AND Continental Airlines have marked another exciting milestone in the integration of the two carriers. Starting at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport in mid-May, United and Continental completely transformed airport check-in and boarding areas with signage reflecting the new United’s branding. The company is rebranding airports across the airlines’ global network over the next several months, beginning with its hubs. Throughout the rebranding phase, customers will continue to receive required information about the operator of their flights.

Some of the other visible changes include new tools and functionality at united.com and continental.com that allow customers to shop for flights, obtain seat assignments and check flight status on either website, regardless of whether they’re traveling on United or Continental.

At the two airlines’ largest airports, customers may now check in and print boarding passes for flights on either airline using any United- or Continental-operated self-service check-in kiosk.

Members of United’s Mileage Plus and Continental’s OnePass frequent flyer programs who have miles in both programs may now link their accounts and combine miles in order to earn awards faster. Members may also view their miles balances, elite status level and elite qualifying miles and segments earned side by side on one screen. Elite members of both programs now also have priority phone access when calling either airline.

On flights offering meals and snacks for sale, United and Continental introduced a new “Choice Menu” inflight meal and snack service, including an Asian noodle salad, a Thai chicken wrap and Classic, Tapas and Savory snackbox options, all at common pricing. In addition, the airlines are aligning onboard beverage programs, including soft drinks, beers, spirits and coffee. By late summer, both airlines will serve the same coffee — a flavorful new custom blend — and the beer selection on domestic flights will include Heineken, Budweiser and Miller Lite.

ASK THE PILOT

With Captain Mike Bowers

Q: Why does my seatback have to be upright for takeoff and landing?
A: While your comfort is very important to us, we always put your safety first. In case of an emergency evacuation, we need all seatbacks in the upright position to provide clear access to the aisle for the passengers beside you. It is also a Federal Aviation regulation. For the same reason, all carry-on luggage has to fit completely under the seat in front of you or stowed in the overhead compartment. We need this completed about 10 minutes prior to landing to give the flight attendants time to complete their final check of the cabin and strap into their jump seats for landing.

Do you have a question for Captain Bowers? Write to him at askthepilot@united.com

ON NOVEMBER 4, UNITED UNVEILED The Oprah Winfrey Show Farewell Season Plane at Chicago O’Hare International Airport. As the leading global carrier and Chicago’s Hometown Airline®, United is proud to celebrate The Oprah Winfrey Show’s farewell season. The domestic Boeing 757 aircraft is decorated inside and out with imagery from The Oprah Winfrey Show. Special touches include a signature tail and a special welcome video from Oprah.

Customers on the inaugural flight of The Oprah Winfrey Show Farewell Season Plane were surprised to be greeted in the gate area by a special video message from Oprah and personal organization expert Peter Walsh, both fresh from an Oprah show taping. Onboard, each customer received special gifts including a monogrammed “Oprah 25” fleece blanket and a special inaugural flight certificate. One lucky winner also received the vacation of his dreams when United awarded him enough United Mileage Plus® miles for a trip around the world.

To share the excitement with all of our customers, we invite you to participate in the “United Million Mile Giveaway”—a sweepstakes that will give one million United Mileage Plus miles to one lucky winner each month through May 2011, and Oprah Store e-cards to many others. For more sweepstakes details, go to www.unitedmillionmiles.com.

The Oprah Winfrey Show Farewell Season Plane flies to and from cities in United’s domestic network through May 2011. Be on the lookout at airports throughout the United States—your next trip just might be onboard this special aircraft!

Book, manage and check in all on www.united.com.

ON OCTOBER 25, 2010, years of effort to liberalize policies regulating air service between the United States and Japan came to fruition as the two nations signed a historic Open Skies Air Services Agreement. While the United name has long been familiar to travelers in Japan, the open skies agreement will allow for new air services between the two countries and offer customers greater choices when flying throughout the Pacific region.

This milestone comes as United awaits final approval from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) for a joint application for antitrust immunity between United, Continental and our fellow Star Alliance member All Nippon Airways (ANA). With final DOT approval, the three airlines will be able to coordinate flight schedules and sales and marketing activities, offering our customers more scheduling and pricing options and access to ANA’s extensive Asian network.

United’s hubs in Los Angeles and San Francisco, as well as Chicago and Washington, D.C., along with Continental’s hubs in Houston and New York, provide excellent jumping off points to major cities like Beijing, Osaka, Tokyo and Seoul and allow United to connect travelers with Taipei and Guangzhou, among many other destinations that ANA serves. Connection to such destinations will provide travelers with more seamless journeys throughout the Pacific.

Much of United’s strategy since cofounding the Star Alliance in 1997 has focused on working with world- class airlines such as ANA to open up new markets and allow for benefits such as one-stop ticketing, easier upgrades and enhanced recognition of elite customers across all Star Alliance partners.

We are now one step closer to achieving this goal and making your path across the Pacific as smooth as possible.

PERHAPS YOU RELY on United Airlines to connect you to some of the largest cities in the world. Or, maybe you rely on us to get you back to your hometown. For us, connection means more than providing safe, courteous, reliable air travel. It also means connecting families, friends, and communities together. That is why we support sports programs in our communities, from local teams to Olympians-connecting athletes, coaches and trainers to competitions and events around the world. This support of sports and community comes together in our global sponsorship of Beyond Sport-an organization that promotes, develops and funds the use of sports to create positive social change across the world.

The Beyond Sport Summit is an annual event, where our travel support helps bring together the best sports-led social innovators with influential, global leaders to address sport’s role in driving change in communities. This year, the summit was held on September 28-29 in United’s hometown of Chicago and included the announcement of the Beyond Sport Awards winners.

At this event, METROsquash received the first United Airlines Chicago Impact Award, which provides $50,000 in funding and business support to their project. This initiative was voted on by the public for having made the greatest impact in the Chicagoland community.

METROsquash uses squash as a way to engage students in academics, fitness, community service, mentoring and cultural enrichment. At METROsquash, students spend an average of 10 hours per week with the program, which gives them the additional support they need to make significant strides athletically, academically and personally.

We are proud to lend our name to such a positive initiative that is taking place right here in our backyard, and hope it inspires others to go beyond sport all around the world.

To learn more about United’s commitment to communities, visit www.united.com/corporateresponsibility

IF YOU SEE A UNITED EMPLOYEE sporting pink neckwear or a pink hat, it’s because he or she is showing support for National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

By wearing pink items throughout the month of October, our employees become visible symbols of our support for those battling the disease and those working to find a cure.

Breast cancer is the second most common cancer in women in the United States, after skin cancer. According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), an estimated 192,370 new cases of invasive breast cancer are expected to be diagnosed among women in the United States this year. An estimated 40,170 women were expected to die from the disease in 2009 alone. Today, there are about 2.5 million breast cancer survivors living in the United States.

United’s corporate involvement with organizations that raise awareness and provide critical care and support to individuals and families stricken with the disease by this disease has become a significant part of our portfolio of giving. During National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, that support will help promote breast cancer awareness, share information on the disease and provide greater access to screening services.

Customers and employees can also support the cause at any time throughout the year by making a donation of Mileage Plus Miles to Breast Cancer Network of Strength at united.com/charitymiles. Through the generosity of our customers, more than 128 million miles have already been donated to help individuals fighting cancer receive the treatment they need.

We hope you will join us and continue to show support for National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Walk, donate, educate and wear your pink proudly!

For more information about Breast Cancer Network of Strength, visit www.networkofstrength.org. Peer counselors can be emailed or contacted at 800-221-2141, with interpreters available in more than 150 languages.

Image – United Airlines Creative Services

IF YOU SPENT YOUR SUMMER MONTHS training for that five mile run, then you’re more than ready to take on United’s new collection of online and mobile games, called the Optathlon. Trade in your running shoes for a computer or mobile device for a chance to win 1 million Mileage Plus miles or one of the 1,000 daily prizes, instantly.

Go to games.united.com to play the five interactive video games based on some of our favorite Travel Options by United. Play Legroom Legend and juggle objects in front of your spacious Economy Plus seat, or try Line Jump Hero to see how far you can fly to the front of the line for Premier Line access. Multiply your miles, fly your bags or just relax when you play the games from Award Accelerator, Door-to-Door Baggage and Red Carpet Club.

Away from your computer? No problem. Just download the free Apple iPhone or Google Android mobile apps and play on the go. You’ll have a chance to unlock unique prizes instantly, including Economy Plus upgrades, Premier Line access and Red Carpet Club passes, when you play the mobile games on the day you fly. If you’re one of the lucky customers, show your “Instant Win” prize screen to a United customer service representative and receive your prize immediately.

On your mark, get set and go to games.united.com on your computer, iPhone or Android mobile device and play to win instantly with United’s Optathlon.

BE A FRIEND.
STAY IN TOUCH.

We connect customers to more than 1,000 destinations worldwide, connect with the communities we serve and now connect with our fans and followers online! Join us on Facebook and be a part of all kinds of conversations about travel. Follow us on Twitter and keep up with the latest news and information about United. Visit United’s official Facebook page at www.facebook.com/unitedairlines and follow us on Twitter@unitedairlines. We look forward to chatting with you.

AS PART OF OUR WORK TO SUPPORT PROGRAMS that inspire discovery, learning and hope for young people in our communities, the United team joined forces with Al Roker from NBC’s Today Show in late June. The show’s 2010 “Lend A Hand Today” series highlighted five different organizations that are working to improve the conditions for youth in our communities.

Through our Mileage Plus Charity Miles Program, we donated one million frequent flier miles to the “Lend A Hand Today” program, 200,000 miles for each organization. Those organizations included: ROCK—Real Options for City Kids in San Francisco, Eagle Mount in Bozeman, Montana, Iowa Homeless Youth Center in Ames, New Ballet Ensemble and School in Memphis and Seacoast Science Center in Rye, New Hampshire.

You can still make a difference and join us by supporting their missions with the donation of miles by visiting united.com/lendahand. Together, we can ensure that every child reaches his or her full potential.

TEE TIME FOR UNITED AND CHILDREN’S MEMORIAL HOSPITAL OF CHICAGO

June 28 marked the 50th Annual Children’s Memorial Hospital Pro Amateur Golf Tournament, which is an event United has supported for the last 49 years.

United’s leadership support has catapulted the Pro Am to one of the most anticipated and successful charity golf events in the nation. Overall, the event has generated more than $14 million for Children’s Memorial Hospital in Chicago. These are vital funds that help enhance patient care and ensure the hospital’s future as one of the nation’s leading pediatric medical centers.

DID YOU KNOW that every three months Americans discard enough aluminum to rebuild all the commercial airplanes in the U.S. ? As you settle into your flight and sip your refreshing beverage, maybe you’ve thought, What happens to the cans and bottles on this flight when I’m done?

Our flight attendants collect those cans and bottles and send them to be recycled. In fact, we’re now recycling up to 25 million cans and six million plastic bottles across our domestic flights every year. That’s more than 590 tons of cans and bottles that we keep out of landfills.

HERE IS HOW REDUCING AND RECYCLING MAKE A DIFFERENCE:

• Producing a can from recycled aluminum uses 95 percent less energy than producing one from raw aluminum.

• Producing a plastic bottle from recycled plastic uses only 66 percent of the energy required to manufacture it from raw materials.

• Recycling United’s 25 million cans and six million bottles each year saves enough energy to power a community of more than 3,700 homes for a full year.

Our onboard recycling program is an important part of our commitment to protecting the environment—building on our actions in the air, on the ground and in our communities. We know that acting responsibly and protecting the environment are important to our customers and our employees. Using less onboard and recycling more are some of the actions we are taking to make a difference. Every action counts.

Image – United Airlines Creative Services

IF THERE’S AN IPHONE, BlackBerry or any other mobile device with internet access sitting in your carry-on bag right now, we have just the thing to ease your travel experience.

Whether you’re rushing to the airport from a conference or debating what to pack for your vacation, we understand you’re constantly on the go. So to keep you from needing to slow down to print a boarding pass, we have launched mobile check-in for all domestic United- and United Express–operated itineraries, giving you the ability to check in for flights from any device that is web-enabled. This includes cell phones, personal digital assistants, e-book readers and tablets. In addition to checking in, you can view flight status, check flight availability and find Red Carpet Club locations.

We have also launched “paperless” mobile boarding capabilities at more than a dozen airports and expect to have the service in 30 airports by this summer. You can have your boarding pass sent directly to your mobile device via email, enabling you to breeze through the security checkpoint and the boarding gate with only your mobile device in hand.

We know that being on the go can be stressful and hope these enhancements make your travel experience more enjoyable.

To use mobile check-in, please visit our new mobile web site: mobile.united.com.

NOW SERVING SIX CONTINENTS

Fascinating historical heritage, rich culture, unique wildlife and tropical beaches: If any of these attractions sound appealing to you, United has a perfect new destination—in Africa.

Beginning June 20, United will fly our first-ever, once-daily service between Washington, D.C., and Ghana’s capital city, Accra. With this service, United now proudly offers nonstop service to six continents.

Flights to and from Accra are conveniently timed to make flight connections to more than 70 cities in North America through our main transatlantic gateway, Washington Dulles.

As the largest airline in the nation’s capital, United offers nearly 300 daily flights from Washington Dulles.

Whether your trip to Africa involves safaris, sunbathing or business meetings, we’re delighted that we are now serving this destination that is quickly growing in popularity.

THROUGHOUT February and March, United employees have been busy flying miles and miles to deliver bear hugs and smiles to kids with cancer.

Late last year, when customers donated at least 7,500 Mileage Plus miles or $50 to the American Cancer Society, United committed to delivering an adorably soft custom-made GUND® teddy bear named Holden Hugyou to children undergoing cancer treatment in cities across the country.

For the past three years, the program has raised more than 125 million Mileage Plus miles and $460,000. The donated miles will provide flights to individuals and caregivers who need to travel for treatment, and the money raised helps support the American Cancer Society’s mission.

Visit www.united.com

ON ANY GIVEN DAY, more than 200,000 travelers take to the sky with United and United Express. And like the snowflakes so common in February, no two customers are exactly alike.

The reasons we travel are as varied as the places we go.

Everyone wants transportation that is safe, clean and dependable. Many travelers want more. For the family of four visiting grandparents for Presidents’ Day weekend, the option to buy a fresh inflight snack is a great convenience. The tall gentleman crossing the Atlantic values added legroom. The businesswoman racing through the airport to catch an early flight home appreciates the ability to get work done in a United Red Carpet Club.

And because our customers have many reasons to fly, United offers options that enable travelers to tailor the travel experience.

Want to move more quickly through the airport? There’s a Travel Option by UnitedSM for that. Want to stretch your legs? There’s a Travel Option for that: Economy Plus®. Close to reaching a Mileage Plus reward level and want to earn a few extra miles on this trip? There’s a Travel Option for that too.

We know that just because you and the customer seated next to you bought tickets for the same flight doesn’t mean you’re looking for the same experience. Visit www.united.com/traveloptions

POLAR ROUTES

For two decades, United employee and retiree volunteers have taken more than 3,000 disadvantaged and ill children and their families on Fantasy Flights to the North Pole.

Our special guests are welcomed aboard our holiday-themed aircraft, where games, gifts and snacks await. After a short “flight” to the North Pole—and no, we’re not telling where it is!—the children meet Santa Claus for hours of Christmas cheer.

United employees and retirees work together during their free time for several months each year planning the Fantasy Flights and raising money to buy gifts for the kids who attend.

During the 2009 holiday season, children and their families took flight in Chicago, Denver, San Francisco, Washington, Los Angeles, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Buenos Aires and Sydney.

Choirs, clowns, SpongeBob, Spider-Man and Tinker Bell have been known to make appearances. But the best part of the show is seeing the smiles on the faces of children enjoying very happy holidays.

FOR THE MORE THAN 200,000 travelers who choose United Airlines each day, a pleasant travel experience is, quite simply, the intersection of safety, reliability, comfort and courtesy. To that end, United has invested tens of millions of dollars this year in our cabins, our airports, our products and our employees. And customers tell us they like the results. Yet, we think there’s more to do.

On December 8, United announced a significant investment—an order for 25 Airbus 350 XWB aircraft and 25 Boeing 787 Dreamliners with options for 50 more of each. These advanced aircraft will provide United’s customers with a significantly improved travel experience, with larger windows, more overhead bin space, improved lighting and a sense of greater relaxation as a result of cabin-pressurization improvements. Delivery is expected between 2016 and 2019.

Both new widebody aircraft types— with their smaller size, longer range, and lower operating costs—will enable United to serve a broader range of international destinations. The A350, for example, has a range 11 percent greater than United’s B747, and the B787 has a range 32 percent greater than the current B767. United’s network of U.S. hubs will allow for more nonstop service throughout Europe, Asia and the Pacific, Africa, and the Middle East.

These next-generation airplanes will also reduce fuel consumption, carbon emissions and, with quieter engines, the noise inside the plane as well as the impact to communities around the airports we serve. The new aircraft also promise greatly enhanced workplaces for our onboard crews, including state-ofthe art cockpits with advanced avionics, more service-friendly galley spaces and other features.

We’re looking to the future. And with new airplanes, it’s the next generation of United.

YOU’VE GOT PLACES TO GO. You’ve got people to see. Clients to meet in another time zone, beaches to enjoy on another continent. Skiing in the West, diving in the South Pacific, hiking to a green-sand beach in Hawaii.

For you, getting there is important. And with United, getting there is getting easier.

With some 3,300 flights a day, United is already a familiar presence in more than 200 cities around the world. And with our fellow Star Alliance members, United can take you even further, with connections to 1,071 destinations in 171 countries worldwide.

Going where you want to go means frequent service in some of the largest cities in the U.S., including Chicago, Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., San Francisco and Denver.

And it’s only getting better.

From Asheville to Huntsville—and to Mammoth Mountain and Pensacola—United is touching down with new service in several new cities in the coming months.

Perhaps you’ve already seen Denmark, so why not visit Duluth? If you like visiting cities named London, we’ve got two to offer.

Because the world is a big place. And we want to make it smaller.

TAG TEAM

On October 27, United’s global route network added more than 60 cities when Continental Airlines joined the Star Alliance, the world’s oldest and largest airline grouping.

For United’s frequent fliers, Continental’s entry opens a world of benefits consistent with those earned on all Star Alliance carriers, including the ability to earn and redeem miles for travel throughout Continental’s network, recognition of elite status when you fly and access to Continental’s Presidents Clubs.

And United’s partnership with Continental offers you even more, like more flights to more of the places you want to go and more efficient connections in a host of airports—including Chicago O’Hare, Beijing, Shanghai, Tokyo, Frankfurt and Paris.