United Airlines Toasts New Partnerships That Bring More Premium Beverages on Board

CHICAGO, Oct. 8, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- United Airlines is expanding its selection of premium beverages to offer customers two new options. The airline now offers Chicago-based Crafthouse Cocktails' Moscow Mule on United-operated North and Central America flights, and Buffalo Trace Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey on flights worldwide.

Crafthouse Moscow Mule

Produced with all-natural ingredients, Crafthouse Cocktails' Moscow Mule contains small-batch vodka; ginger beer made with organic ginger juice; pure California lime juice; and real cane sugar. Crafthouse's take on the Moscow Mule – a classic vodka cocktail – is also gluten-free.

Buffalo Trace Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Made from the finest corn, rye and barley malt at the most award-winning distillery in the world, Buffalo Trace's bourbon whiskey ages in new-oak barrels for years in century-old warehouses until the peak of maturity – giving this spirit a rich and complex taste, with hints of vanilla, toffee and candied fruit.

"We are pleased to partner with Crafthouse Cocktails and Buffalo Trace to offer our customers these popular drinks," said Tom O'Toole, United's senior vice president and chief marketing officer. "These new selections further enhance and expand our choices for the tastes of today's passengers."

On board, passengers may purchase a 200-milliliter bottle – enough for two servings – of Crafthouse's Moscow Mule for $12.99.

A 50-milliliter miniature bottle of Buffalo Trace will be complimentary in premium cabins and $8.99 in United Economy.

In addition, Crafthouse's Moscow Mule and Buffalo Trace bourbon whiskey will be available in dozens of domestic United Club locations and in the airline's U.S. United Global First Lounge locations. London Heathrow Airport's United Club will also offer Buffalo Trace.  

Celebratory Flights

Later today, United and Crafthouse will commemorate their new partnership with eight celebratory flights – four from Chicago O'Hare International Airport and four from Houston's George Bush Intercontinental Airport – during which customers may receive a free pour of Moscow Mule.

The celebratory flights are:

Crafthouse co-founder and award-winning mixologist Charles Joly will join customers on United flight 1127 from Chicago to Denver to bartend in first class.

Beverage Enhancements

United's collaborations with Crafthouse and Buffalo Trace are the airline's latest upgrades to its beverage menu. United also offers:

• Tito's Handmade Vodka, a craft spirit, and Goose Island Beer Company's Goose IPA on flights worldwide;
• Prosecco sparkling wine in premium cabins on United-operated North America flights; and
• Half-bottle premium wines for purchase in United Economy on the company's p.s. Premium Service and on most of the airline's intercontinental flights.

About United

United Airlines and United Express operate an average of nearly 5,000 flights a day to 362 airports across six continents. In 2014, United and United Express operated nearly two million flights carrying 138 million customers. United is proud to have the world's most comprehensive route network, including U.S. mainland hubs in Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, New York/Newark, San Francisco and Washington, D.C. United operates nearly 700 mainline aircraft, and this year, the airline anticipates taking delivery of 34 new Boeing aircraft, including the 787-9 and the 737-900ER. United is also welcoming 49 new Embraer E175 aircraft to United Express. The airline is a founding member of Star Alliance, which provides service to 192 countries via 28 member airlines. More than 84,000 United employees reside in every U.S. state and in countries around the world. For more information, visit united.com, follow @United on Twitter or connect on 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