United Signs On As Exclusive Airline Partner of 2014 Gay Games

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Oct 03, 2013, 11:59 ET

CHICAGO, Oct. 3, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- United Airlines will serve as a gold sponsor and the exclusive airline partner of the 2014 Gay Games – the largest international sports and culture festival in the world open to all adult participants.

"We are proud to serve as the exclusive airline for this international celebration of community and competition, and we look forward to welcoming each of the athletes to our hub city of Cleveland," said Nene Foxhall, the airline's executive vice president for communications and government affairs. "We are also pleased to support an event that so closely reflects United's culture of diversity and inclusion."

The 2014 Gay Games, which will be held in Cleveland and Akron, Ohio, Aug. 9-16, are expected to attract approximately 30,000 visitors, including 11,000 participants from across the globe. The Games are open to athletes regardless of sexual orientation, ethnicity or ability, and participants can compete in more than 35 sports and cultural events.

"We are excited to have an airline partner that has the reach to easily get our global and domestic visitors to Northeast Ohio for next year's Gay Games," said Tom Nobbe, executive director of Gay Games 9, the non-profit organization putting on the Games. "It is especially great since United has served our region for so many decades, both as an employer contributing to our community and as a premier air carrier."

United in Cleveland
United, together with United Express, operates nearly 200 daily flights out of Cleveland Hopkins International Airport, more than any other carrier. The airport serves as one of United's eight domestic hubs, connecting United customers to more than 65 destinations throughout the United States, Canada and Latin America.

About United
United Airlines and United Express operate an average of 5,341 flights a day to more than 360 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. According to the 4^th annual Switchfly Reward Seat Availability Survey published by IdeaWorksCompany in May 2013, United has the most saver-style award-seat availability among the largest U.S. global airlines. 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