United Airlines Releases Annual Corporate Responsibility Report

Report highlights company's fuel efficiency, employee volunteerism and disaster relief initiatives

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Sep 04, 2014, 01:00 ET

CHICAGO, Sept. 4, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- United Airlines has released its annual Corporate Responsibility Report highlighting the company's work to operate a socially, environmentally and financially responsible business in a way that benefits its customers, employees, investors and the environment. United's support of relief organizations in the wake of the typhoon in the Philippines; its agreement to purchase renewable, cost-competitive aviation biofuel; and the accomplishments of the airline's Eco-Skies® environmental program are just a few of the initiatives featured in the report.

"In our hubs and the cities we serve, we are supporting diverse programs and organizations. United is committed to operating an environmentally and socially responsible airline," said United's Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Jeff Smisek.

The report is available online at crreport.united.com/. Highlights of the 2013 report include:

The Community

United employees volunteered more than 67,000 hours to support a wide variety of community partners.
In the aftermath of Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines, United customers and employees raised more than $1.6 million for the airline's disaster relief partners involved in the recovery efforts.
The airline contributed $25 million in cash and travel to organizations in each of its U.S. hub cities of Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Newark, San Francisco and Washington, D.C.
Through its Volunteer Impact Grant Program, the airline awarded grants to more than 110 nonprofit partners in recognition of United employees who volunteer their time and expertise to improve our communities.

The Environment

Air Transport World magazine named United the 2013 Eco-Aviation "Airline of the Year" Gold Winner, the top award granted by ATW in its annual Eco-Aviation Awards.
The airline exceeded its goal of saving more than 85 million gallons of fuel, equivalent to more than 827,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide.
United was the first airline worldwide to retrofit aircraft with fuel-saving Split Scimitar winglets, which reduce fuel consumption by up to 2 percent above traditional winglets.
United offers an industry-leading carbon-offset program that allows MileagePlus members to redeem their miles for offsets to cover the carbon emissions associated with their air travel. The airline also offers a similar program to cargo customers, enabling them to easily track and offset the emissions associated with their air freight accounts.
Through its Eco-Skies Community Grants program, United awarded $50,000 to environmental organizations in communities where the company's employees volunteer.
United introduced a new, eco-friendly coffee cup on board its flights and in United Clubs. The insulating InCycle® cup is fully recyclable and made from up to 50 percent recycled materials.

Our Employees

The United We Care Employee Relief Fund, which provides short-term crisis relief to co-workers in need of basic financial assistance, awarded nearly $830,000 in grants to more than 350 employees.
The United Airlines Scholarship Fund provided more than $1 million in college scholarships to nearly 700 employees and their children for the 2013-14 academic year.

About United
United Airlines and United Express operate an average of more than 5,200 flights a day to 374 airports across six continents. In 2013, United and United Express operated nearly two million flights carrying 139 million customers. With U.S. mainland hubs in Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Newark, San Francisco and Washington, D.C., United operates more than 700 mainline aircraft and, in 2014, will take delivery of 35 new Boeing aircraft, including the 787-9 as the North American launch customer, and will welcome 32 new Embraer 175 aircraft to United Express. The airline is a founding member of Star Alliance, which provides service to 192 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, 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