As part of its official partnership with the PGA Tour and in support of the MileagePlus® rewards program, United Airlines teamed up with McGarryBowen and GRAFX Co. to create a humorous, character-driven commercial that shows how miles can take you further, even when your golf game can’t.
Project
United MileagePlus / Livery Update
Client
United / McGarryBowen
Our Role
Production, Post-Production, Visual Effects, 3D Animation
Set beneath the surface of a quiet lake, the spot opens with a lone fish before chaos ensues: a cascade of golf balls splashes down, followed by an entire club, evidence of a rough day on the course. Shot entirely with practical, in-camera effects, GRAFX Co. engineered a custom underwater golf ball release system to deliver precision timing and repeatable takes. The result is a spot grounded in realism, with comedic timing that highlights just how rewarding (and forgiving) the MileagePlus program can be.
In tandem with United’s global rebrand, GRAFX Co. was commissioned to produce a 3D animation showcasing the airline’s evolving identity through its iconic fleet.
To bring the transformation to life, our team meticulously researched and digitally reconstructed historical aircraft, from the pioneering Ford Trimotor 5-AT-D, which carried the first airmail delivery, to the modern Boeing 737-800. Through 3D modeling, texturing, lighting, and compositing, the animation presents a seamless timeline: each aircraft rises from the shadows in one elegant, continuous flyby before the new livery emerges in full, signaling the brand’s future.
