United Airlines Now Proudly Serves Tito's Handmade Vodka

Airline mixes up its beverage service with an American-made, award-winning craft spirit

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May 09, 2013, 03:00 ET

AUSTIN, Texas, May 9, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- United Airlines today announced that Tito's Handmade Vodka will be the exclusive vodka brand served on all of the airline's flights worldwide. United customers have enjoyed the award-winning craft vodka since the company began serving the spirit on May 1.

Tito's Handmade Vodka, an Austin-based company, is one of the fastest growing micro distilleries in the United States. The handcrafted spirit earned a unanimous Double Gold Medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, and it was awarded a score of 95 by Wine Enthusiast for its impeccable purity and clean taste.

"United was looking for a great tasting vodka for our customers, and we've found it in Tito's Handmade Vodka," said Lynda Coffman, United's vice president of food services. "Tito's is a small-business success story with an outstanding product. United has a rich history in Texas, and we are proud and excited to bring Tito's around the globe to more than 370 destinations worldwide."

Tito's Handmade Vodka is now sold in all 50 states, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Canadian provinces.

"Over the years, people have embraced my handmade vodka, traveling with it on their own and spreading the word. Now that Tito's Handmade Vodka is inflight, I'm glad its debut is with United Airlines," said Tito Beveridge, founder and master distiller of Tito's Handmade Vodka. "We're excited for the new venture with United and look forward to offering flyers around the world the chance to experience a true American spirit."

Vodka is the number one-selling spirit served on United flights and is commonly requested on the rocks. Vodka tonic and Bloody Mary cocktails are the airline's customers' most preferred inflight sipping styles.

Tito's Handmade Vodka is available for sale in economy class on flights where a beverage service is offered and may be purchased for $7 with a major credit or debit card in United's cashless cabins. Customers flying in United's premium cabins may enjoy the spirit at no cost.

About United

United Airlines and United Express operate an average of 5,446 flights a day to more than 370 airports across six continents. In 2012, United and United Express carried more passenger traffic than any other airline in the world and operated nearly two million flights carrying 140 million customers. United is investing in upgrading its onboard products and now offers more flat-bed seats in its premium cabins and more extra-legroom economy-class seating than any airline in North America. In 2013, United became the first U.S.-based international carrier to offer satellite-based Wi-Fi on long-haul overseas routes. The airline also features DIRECTV® on 200 aircraft, offering customers more live television access than any other airline in the world. United operates nearly 700 mainline aircraft and has made large-scale investments in its fleet. In 2013, United will continue to modernize its fleet by taking delivery of more than two dozen new Boeing aircraft. The company expanded its industry-leading global route network in 2012, launching nine new international and 18 new domestic routes. Business Traveler magazine awarded United Best Airline for North American Travel for 2012, and readers of Global Traveler magazine have voted United's MileagePlus program the best frequent flyer program for nine consecutive years. United is a founding member of Star Alliance, which provides service to 194 countries via 27 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.

About Tito's Handmade Vodka

Tito's Handmade Vodka is and always has been 100% American-made and produced in Austin, Texas. It was the state's first legal distillery, and is one of the fastest-growing micro distilleries in the country. The slow, six-times pot-distilled vodka is called one of the smoothest vodkas on the market by the country's top bartenders, earned a unanimous Double Gold Medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, and was awarded a score of 95 by Wine Enthusiast for its impeccable purity and clean taste.

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SOURCE United Airlines