[From today's WSJ]

How you count calories may affect how you count frequent-flier miles.

That's the finding of a survey by DiMassimo Brand Advertising, a Manhattan ad agency that specializes in travel companies. The agency surveyed more than 1,250 Americans and found that those with certain diets tend to fly certain airlines.

Mark DiMassimo, the agency's president, says participants were first asked which menu they preferred: a high-calorie menu (with a dinner of steak and pasta) or a low-calorie menu (with grilled swordfish). Thus divided, participants responded to several questions about their travel habits.

The result: About 63% of big eaters were loyal to a particular airline, with the most popular being Midwest Express, Continental and TWA. Those three tend to have meals with high calorie counts, says Mr. DiMassimo. Conversely, only 25% of the low-calorie group had airline loyalties at all. The high-calorie eaters are "seeking comfort and are probably a little more loyal," says Mr. DiMassimo.

Diets also may determine destinations, when it comes to vacations. According to the study, eaters of high-calorie meals said they favor trips to the Grand Canyon, Disney World and Las Vegas. Their low-calorie counterparts prefer the Caribbean, California and France.