BY OLAPEJU OLUBI
United Nigeria Airlines has surprised passengers with brand-new Samsung smartphones as part of a promotional partnership with Samsung, aimed at enhancing customer experience onboard its flights.
The initiative, tagged the “Awesome Row” promotion, took place on Monday, June 1, during Lagos–Abuja and Abuja–Lagos flights, where selected passengers were rewarded with the latest Samsung Galaxy smartphones through an onboard lucky dip.
Winners identified as Hamid Ibrahim, Chidi Chinedu, and Gbenga Bello emerged from the in-flight draw, receiving the recently released Samsung Galaxy devices as part of the experience.
Other passengers on board were also given exclusive access to preview new Samsung Galaxy A57 and A37 devices during the flight.
According to the airline, the promotion was designed to create a memorable travel experience while strengthening its brand promise of connectivity and customer satisfaction.
Speaking on the initiative, Chief Commercial Officer of United Nigeria Airlines, Dayo Olawuyi, said the campaign reflects the airline’s commitment to delivering value beyond transportation.
“At United Nigeria Airlines, we fly to unite.
Every route we operate, every flight we run, is about bringing Nigerians together, whether for business, work or family functions,” Olawuyi said.
He added that the collaboration with Samsung was a natural extension of the airline’s customer-focused philosophy.
“This partnership with Samsung is an extension of that mission because they share our belief in delivering the very best to Nigerians, and together, we wanted to create a moment that passengers would never forget. We are very thrilled for Hamid, Chidi, and Gbenga, and we congratulate them on their wins,” he said.
Olawuyi noted that the airline is increasingly focused on improving customer experience through creative engagement initiatives that go beyond standard in-flight services.
“We are very passionate about ensuring our customers have the best experience, and that is exactly the kind of thing we want people to associate with flying United Nigeria Airlines,” he added.
The promotion highlights a growing trend among service providers in Nigeria’s aviation sector to adopt experiential marketing strategies in order to strengthen customer loyalty and brand differentiation in a competitive market.
Industry observers say such initiatives are becoming more common as airlines seek innovative ways to enhance passenger satisfaction and build stronger emotional connections with travellers.
For passengers on the June 1 flights, however, it was a routine journey turned unexpected celebration, as a simple flight between Nigeria’s busiest cities ended with premium tech gifts and a memorable onboard experience.
Olapeju is a journalist and aviation reporter.
