United Airlines to Help March of Dimes Promote Healthy Babies

CHICAGO, Jan. 24, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- United Airlines and the March of Dimes are teaming up once again to provide moms and dads around the country with important information on pregnancy and having healthy babies. For the ninth consecutive year, United will serve as the official airline of the March of Dimes National Ambassador Program.

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The National Ambassador Program is an annual campaign that helps raise awareness of the need for research and community programs to prevent premature birth and birth defects.  With United's support, the March of Dimes National Ambassador – 6-year-old Aidan Lamothe of Manchester, N.H. – and his parents will be able to attend meetings, conferences and fundraisers nationwide to promote the organization and its mission. The family will travel in the airline's premium cabins throughout the year.

"At United, so many of our customers and employees' lives have been touched by the March of Dimes, and we are proud to continue our longstanding partnership," said John Rainey, executive vice president and chief financial officer at United and a member of the national board of trustees for the March of Dimes. "We're honored to fly Aidan around the country to share his inspirational story, and we look forward to supporting the Lamothe family as they help ensure more babies get a healthy start in life."

Along with the Ambassador Program, United is a national sponsor of March for Babies, the March of Dimes' signature fundraiser that occurs in April. Every year, thousands of United employees in the airline's hub cities and other communities show their commitment to healthy moms and babies by walking and raising money in dozens of March for Babies walk events. Last year, United employees raised more than $250,000 for March of Dimes research, education and services.

"We are grateful to United Airlines for their generous support of March for Babies and our National Ambassador Program," said Dr. Jennifer L. Howse, president of the March of Dimes. "United employees are dedicated to helping raise awareness about how moms can have full-term pregnancies and healthy babies."

About United

United Airlines and United Express operate an average of more than 5,300 flights a day to more than 360 airports across six continents. In 2013, United and United Express carried more passenger traffic than any other airline in the world and operated nearly two million flights carrying 139 million customers. United is delivering a more flyer-friendly experience, offering more premium-cabin flat-bed seats and extra-legroom, economy-class seating than any airline in North America. In 2013, United became the first U.S. global carrier to offer satellite-based Wi-Fi, including on long-haul overseas routes. The airline also features DIRECTV® on more than 200 aircraft, with more live television access than any airline in the world. United operates nearly 700 mainline aircraft and, in 2014, will take delivery of 36 new Boeing aircraft and welcome the E175 aircraft to United Express. Business Traveler magazine awarded United Best Airline for North American Travel for 2013, and readers of Global Traveler magazine have voted United's MileagePlus program the Best Frequent-Flyer program for 10 consecutive years. Air Transport World named United the Eco-Aviation Airline of the Year Gold Winner in 2013. United is a founding member of Star Alliance, which provides service to 195 countries via 28 member airlines. More than 85,000 United employees reside in every U.S. state and in countries around the world. For more information, visit united.com or follow United on Twitter and Facebook. The common stock of United's parent, United Continental Holdings, Inc., is traded on the NYSE under the symbol UAL.

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SOURCE United Airlines