CHICAGO, March 28, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- A United Airlines aircraft took to the skies today to honor the company's top 100 employees. The new Boeing 737-900ER features the company's "United 100" logo on the exterior. The airline designed the United 100 program to recognize 100 employees nominated and selected by their co-workers for exemplary performance or achievements that support the cornerstones of the company's business plan. Being honored as a United 100 recipient is the company's highest honor for employee recognition.

To download a high-resolution copy of this photo, visit the airline's newsroom at: http://newsroom.unitedcontinentalholdings.com/united100

The United 100 plane also features a plaque inscribed with the winners' names on a wall inside. The airline plans to update the plaque with the annual winners' names each year.

"It takes many talented people with a wide variety of skills and expertise to make us successful," said Jeff Smisek, United's chairman, president and CEO. "These outstanding employees represent the best of who we are and what the United culture is all about, and I am proud to be on their team."

United this week honored these top employees at its second annual "United 100" celebration in downtown Chicago. At the luncheon, Smisek surprised the winners with an announcement that the newest aircraft in the company's fleet would be dedicated in their honor.

The winners also each received a crystal award and 100,000 MileagePlus miles. The 100 winners, who represent every work group in the company, and their guests came from throughout the United States as well as nine international locations for the event, where United's senior leadership congratulated and recognized them for their great efforts to go above and beyond for customers, co-workers and the company.

In 2013, 5,612 employees were nominated for United 100. The 100 annual winners are selected by their divisions from among the approximately 400 quarterly winners, who are chosen by divisions. All of United's more than 85,000 employees are eligible for the program.

About United

United Airlines and United Express operate an average of more than 5,300 flights a day to more than 360 airports across six continents. In 2013, United and United Express carried more passenger traffic than any other airline in the world and operated nearly two million flights carrying 139 million customers. United is delivering a more flyer-friendly experience, offering more premium-cabin flat-bed seats and extra-legroom, economy-class seating than any airline in North America. In 2013, United became the first U.S. global carrier to offer satellite-based Wi-Fi, including on long-haul overseas routes. The airline also features DIRECTV® on more than 200 aircraft, with more live television access than any airline in the world. United operates nearly 700 mainline aircraft and, in 2014, will take delivery of 35 new Boeing aircraft and welcome the E175 aircraft to United Express. Business Traveler magazine awarded United Best Airline for North American Travel for 2013, and readers of Global Traveler magazine have voted United's MileagePlus program the Best Frequent-Flyer program for 10 consecutive years. Air Transport World named United the Eco-Aviation Airline of the Year Gold Winner in 2013. 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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Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130404/MM89155LOGO

SOURCE United Airlines