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United Partners with The Biggest Loser to ‘Trim’ Onboard Meal Offerings

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08th December 2008

Posted by A.T. Cee

United is partnering with popular reality TV show The Biggest Loser in a bid to help passengers slim down. To do this the airline plans to eliminate major components of its current catering program on transcontinental and international flights.

“We know that our passengers really do appreciate all of the goodies and ‘extras’ associated with our meal service — they tell us this in the surveys we collect but mostly ignore,” said a United spokeswoman. “But passengers don’t really need all of those extra calories, so we’re helping them get healthy.”

In concert with dietitians and trainers from the NBC show, in which teams of obese contestants compete to lose the most weight, United has reviewed calorie and fat counts from its menus and adjusted the catering.

On transcontinental and international flights — where United has already cut back meal service for business and first-class passengers — the airline will now eliminate entree and dessert service entirely. “Customers will still be able to enjoy a handful of healthy nuts along with drinks, plus a small salad,” the spokeswoman said. On flights that feature snack boxes for purchase, the company will now sell small satchels of seeds and grains.

For management, the partnership with The Biggest Loser is in keeping with a broader strategic plan. “This is yet another exciting offering in United’s suite of products and services for our passengers. This will help us fit more customers into that suite!” said the airline’s Dennis Cary. “We believe passengers will associate United with a popular TV show, The Biggest Loser, and, well, the positive associations are obvious.”

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2 Comments »

  1. Greetings I’m new here
    And it looks like a great forum, so just wanted to say hello! :) :):)
    And looking forward to participating.
    Going on vacation for a few days, so i’ll be back

    Comment by EstaftBax — December 17, 2008 @ 3:45 am

  2. Goodday I’m new here
    And it looks like a interesting forum, so just wanted to say hello! :) :):)
    And looking forward to participating.

    Comment by scoolbons — January 9, 2009 @ 2:12 pm

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