United Launches New Oprah Plane

Nov. 4, 2010— -- United Airlines today unveiled a specially-painted plane honoring Oprah Winfrey and her final season.

The Boeing 757 aircraft is newly painted -- from nose to tail -- with imagery from The Oprah Winfrey Show farewell season. Onboard the aircraft, customers will notice a specially decorated interior and will be greeted by a special video welcome from Winfrey.

The airline, which recently merged with Continental, is based in Chicago, which is also the city Winfrey calls home and films her daily show.

During the inaugural flight from Chicago's O'Hare International Airport to Los Angeles today, one passenger was given enough United Mileage Plus miles for a trip around the world. All the other passengers received a specially monogrammed "Oprah 25" fleece blanket.

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"This unique plane represents the global reach of two great Chicago icons," Mark Bergsrud, senior vice president of marketing for United said in a statement. (Boeing also happens to be based in Chicago.)

In conjunction with the unveiling of The Oprah Winfrey Show Farewell Season Plane, United is launching the United Million Mile Giveaway -- a sweepstakes that will give one million United Mileage Plus miles to one lucky winner each month through May. Additional prizes include Oprah Store e-cards.

The special plane will fly through May and then presumably be repainted with the new United logo.

To kick off her final season, Winfrey sent her entire studio audience to Australia on one of United's competitors, Qantas.