Image courtesy of United Airlines
 
United Airlines passengers are getting a sweet surprise in the morning, courtesy of Byrd Cookie Company. The airline has teamed up with the Savannah, Georgia-based cookie bakery for a new snack on flights departing before 9:45 a.m.

The new maple wafer cookies are a take on Byrd’s Benne Wafers, a 300 year-old recipe that the company has been making since 1954. They combine a rich buttery flavor with a hint of maple and a pinch of salt.

“We know that maple is an increasingly appealing flavor, and we are always looking for ways to capitalize on trends in taste buds,” says Charlean Gmunder, Vice President of Catering Operations for United Airlines. “We are excited to offer our customers a light, crisp snack that is created by a woman-owned bakery.”

The maple wafers will be baked in Savannah, Georgia, and are said to be a nice pairing with an early morning coffee. They will replace the Stroopwafel, the current morning snack, which will continue to be offered on flights departing Europe prior to 9:30 a.m.

“We created this cookie using only the finest ingredients, and we continue to bake in small batches so that we can consistently deliver high-quality confections,” says Stephanie Lindley, Byrd Cookie Company CEO.

To celebrate the new partnership, MileagePlus Exclusives is hosting a live auction where customers can bid miles to travel to Savannah, Georgia and enjoy a tour of the Byrd's bakery.