Written by Noreen Kompanik, TravelPulse Newsletter, July 18, 2025
United Airlines is set to hire more Special Olympics athletes as customer service ambassadors to its airline’s hubs in Los Angeles, San Francisco and Newark.
The goal is to welcome 10 new people into the program to reach a total of 28 SOSA employees across all seven of United’s U.S. hubs to create employment opportunities for individuals with physical and intellectual disabilities.
Jerry Rice, former San Francisco 49er and all-time receiving touchdowns leader was on hand at the airline’s San Francisco hub to help recruit and ‘train’ with current United SOSAs.
“I’ve been fortunate to be part of lots of winning teams and world-class organizations, and it’s a real honor to be part of a program like this that proves greatness comes from giving everyone a shot,” said Jerry Rice in a statement. “What I saw today being trained by these SOSAs was dedication, skill, and heart, and that’s what makes a team unstoppable.”
United’s SOSA program provides Special Olympics athletes the opportunity to earn part-time employment with full employee benefits. SOSAs welcome customers in airport lobbies and assist with finding check-in kiosks, bag check locations and security screening areas. Post-security responsibilities include navigating the terminal and using digital customer service tools.
“Our Special Olympics Service Ambassadors deliver a daily dose of inspiration and an extra set of helping hands to our employees while also providing friendly, timely service to our customers,” said United Chief Operations Officer and Special Olympics board member Toby Enqvist. “I’m so proud of our SOSA team and look forward to growing at three more of our hubs – they not only enhance the customer experience in a uniquely United way, but also help to foster inclusive, dynamic, and engaging workplaces for all.”
Zehra Sayin, Chief Communications, Development and Marketing Officer of Special Olympics commented, “The continued expansion of United’s Special Olympics Ambassador program is a powerful example of what true inclusion looks like in action.”
She added, “By creating meaningful, visible roles for our athletes, United is not only enhancing the travel experience for its customers but also helping to shift perceptions about the capabilities of people with intellectual disabilities. We are proud to partner with United as they lead the way in showing how diversity and inclusion can strengthen workplaces, communities, and lives.”
United launched the SOSA program in Chicago during National Disability Employment Awareness Month in 2019, then quickly expanded to its hubs in Houston, Denver and Washington DC.
“As an athlete, I lean on skills like teamwork and communication to excel in my sport and being able to share those experiences and skills with United customers is really fulfilling,” said Lauren Miller, a current United SOSA in Chicago. “It’s exciting to know that more people are going to be able to experience this great program for themselves and get the chance to impact passengers on a daily basis.”