Latest news with #TobyEnqvist
Malaysian Reserve
18-07-2025
- Business
- Malaysian Reserve
United Set to Hire More Special Olympics Athletes As Customer Service Ambassadors
Airline expands industry's only Special Olympics Service Ambassador (SOSA) program to Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Newark, bringing total to 28 hires across all seven hubs NFL hall of famer Jerry Rice suits up in San Francisco to help recruit and 'train' with current United SOSAs United SOSA duties include welcoming customers in the airport lobby and helping them find check-in kiosks, bag check locations and navigate security lines CHICAGO, July 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — United announced today that it will expand the industry's only Special Olympics Service Ambassador (SOSA) program to the airline's hubs in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Newark. The goal is to welcome 10 more people into the program and reach a total of 28 SOSA employees across all seven of its U.S. hubs, furthering its effort to create employment opportunities for people with physical and intellectual disabilities. Former San Francisco 49er and all-time receiving touchdowns leader Jerry Rice was on-hand at United's San Francisco hub today to help recruit, undergo a 'boot camp' by some of United's existing SOSAs and get a firsthand look at their responsibilities. '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. '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 gives Special Olympics athletes the opportunity to earn part-time employment with full employee benefits. United SOSAs welcome customers in the airport lobby and help them find check-in kiosks, bag check locations, and security lines. 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.' 'The continued expansion of United's Special Olympics Service Ambassador program is a powerful example of what true inclusion looks like in action,' said Zehra Sayin, Chief Communications, Development and Marketing Officer of Special Olympics. '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 first launched the SOSA program in Chicago during National Disability Employment Awareness Month in 2019 and quickly expanded to its hubs in Houston, Denver, and Washington DC. Since its inception, the Special Olympics Service Ambassadors program has given Special Olympics athletes the opportunity to gain firsthand experience working as part-time employees for United Airlines. '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.' United's Storied History with Special Olympics United has a longstanding partnership with Special Olympics that includes a wide range of sponsorship and event activations including plane pull competitions, localized volunteering, support of the Capitol Hill Day in Washington D.C. and the Global Athlete Congress at the Special Olympics World Games. As sponsors of the 2025 Capitol Hill Day, United supported Special Olympics delegates championing inclusion and critical funding. Special Olympics athletes led more than 330 face-to-face meetings with Members of Congress in both the House and Senate, inviting their elected officials to partner with them to support inclusive education and health initiatives for people with intellectual disabilities. The event brought together more than 275 participants from 50 programs across the country. In 2025, United's Chief Operations Officer, Toby Enqvist was appointed to the Board of Directors for Special Olympics International. His leadership adds momentum to the airline's shared commitment to inclusion in the workplace and empowering individuals with intellectual disabilities on a global level. United customers can also support Special Olympics through United's Miles on a Mission program. To learn more, visit where you can donate miles and become a MileagePlus® Member for free. Accessibility Initiatives at United United Airlines' implementation of the SOSA program is just one of the many ways the airline has dedicated itself to fostering welcoming and inspiring environments for everyone, both travelers and employees alike. For over eight years, United has been a Best Place to Work for Disability Inclusion and has worked to improve accessibility through measures including: The industry's first digital sizing tool for wheelchairs and reimbursing the difference in fares if a customer needs to pay more for a flight that can accommodate their wheelchair. The first U.S. airline to add Braille to aircraft interiors to help millions of travelers with visual disabilities more easily navigate the cabin independently Launching a new collaboration last year with United Spinal Association where the organization will help support and advise the airline in its efforts to improve accessibility throughout the entire travel experience. The United mobile app makes it easier for people with visual disabilities to use by offering increased color contrast, more space between graphics and an enhanced display and announcement of information to better integrate with the screen reader technologies like VoiceOver and TalkBack United's Inflight Seatback Entertainment screens offer a wide range of accessible features like closed captioning, text-to-speech controls, magnification, explore-by-touch capabilities, audio-described movies, and adjustable and high-contrast text and color correction United offers day-of travel support for the visually and hearing impaired with Agent on Demand where a customer can use audio, video and chat to get assistance by a United Customer Service Representative About United At United, Good Leads The Way. With U.S. hubs in Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, New York/Newark, San Francisco and Washington, D.C., United operates the most comprehensive global route network among North American carriers and is now the largest airline in the world as measured by available seat miles. For more about how to join the United team, please visit and more information about the company is at United Airlines Holdings, Inc., the parent company of United Airlines, Inc., is traded on the Nasdaq under the symbol 'UAL'. About Special Olympics International Founded in 1968, Special Olympics is a global movement to end discrimination against people with intellectual disabilities. We foster acceptance of all people through the power of sport and programming in education, health and leadership. With nearly four million athletes and Unified Sports® partners and one million coaches and volunteers in more than 170 countries, Special Olympics delivers more than 30 Olympic-type sports and nearly 50,000 games and competitions every year. Engage with us on: X, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, and LinkedIn. Learn more at
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
United Airlines Quietly Adds 2 New Routes
Just a few days ago, United Airlines quietly made a big move by placing an order for Airbus A321neo aircraft amid the airline's slight departure from its Boeing relationship. 'It's the first time in a really long time that we took an Airbus, and this airplane right here [A321neo] is our highest-scoring customer service satisfaction airplane that we have in our system," United Airlines' Chief Global Operations Officer, Toby Enqvist, said in a statement, revealing the new product is testing well with customers. Fast forward to May 16 and the popular airline made another big move without so much as an announcement. United Airlines opened up a direct air link between Newark Liberty International Airport and Algarve, Portugal - home of Faro Airport. 'It is with great joy that we are here inaugurating this flight which just arrived,' United Airlines European spokesperson, Guido Araújo said in a statement. 'This route is part of a very deliberate and sustainable expansion strategy. We started modestly in 1997 with seasonal flights from Lisbon to New York. Today, we celebrate seven routes to Portugal across five destinations.' The first flight on the direct line touched down on Saturday, May 17 after passenger demand for the new route surged. 'Many of our customers already travel through Lisbon and continue on to the Algarve. This flight offers them a direct entry point to the region,' Araujo added. The airline will operate four flights per week through the end of the summer season. But that's not all from United. The airline is also offering a new flight to Madeira starting on June 7 and running through September 23. Service will operated three times per week - on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays - with flights departing at 9:50 p.m. from Newark Liberty International Airport.
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
United Airlines Announces New Offering for First Class Travelers
Earlier this month United Airlines quietly made a big move by placing an order for Airbus A321neo aircraft amid the airline's slight departure from its Boeing relationship. 'It's the first time in a really long time that we took an Airbus, and this airplane right here [A321neo] is our highest-scoring customer service satisfaction airplane that we have in our system," United Airlines' Chief Global Operations Officer, Toby Enqvist, said in a statement, revealing the new product is testing well with customers. As United Airlines prepares for its future the company announced an expanded partnership that will benefit its first class passengers on domestic flight. The Cookie Department revealed it expanded its partnership with the airline while "elevating its mission to combine delicious snacking with meaningful philanthropy." Previously the cookie company's Crispy Double Chocolate Chip flavor was available for purchase as a snack onboard. Now United Airlines is offering The Cookie Company's Buy a Bar, Give a Bar as a complimentary treat for First Class passengers on domestic flights. "With every bar provided to travelers, The Cookie Department donates bars to support food equity and combat food insecurity. This initiative reflects the company's dedication to promoting nutritious options while making a tangible difference in communities nationwide," the company said in a statement. The charitable offering comes in four flavors Comforting Apple Cinnamon, Wholesome Oatmeal Chocolate Chip, Zesty Blueberry Pomegranate, and Off-the-Vine Strawberry. "United Airlines was the perfect partner to introduce the world to our cookies and bars, as well as our mission," Andy Sheldon, co-founder, president, and CEO of The Cookie Department said. "We are dedicated to creating exceptional products like Buy a Bar, Give a Bar, which aligns perfectly with United Airlines' mission to provide the finest passenger experience."
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
United Airlines Quietly Adds 40 New Aircraft From Boeing Rival
Earlier this week, an order for 40 A321neos jets emerged while being listed by Airbus for an undisclosed customer. The order form was published on May 10, 2025, but it wasn't until two days later that the customer for the jets was revealed. United Airlines strengthened its commitment to Airbus A321neo aircraft with the additional order of 40 more planes. As pointed out by Simple Flying, United already has an aircraft order of more than 150 A321neos and A321XLRs and currently flies more than 35 A321neos. The airline's affinity for the aircraft comes amid delays in the Boeing 737 MAX 10 program. In early 2024, United announced it was 'in the market' for the type after removing the Boeing 737-10 from its plan. Just a few months later, CEO Scott Kirby admitted it was more bullish on the Boeing aircraft while citing progress from the aircraft manufacturer, but that clearly didn't stop United from making a major move for 40 new A321neos jets. Amid a backlog of the aircraft type, though, United will only start receiving jets from the newest order after 2030. However, the carrier previously signed an agreement for 60 A321neos in October 2023, building on earlier orders for 50 A321XLRs and 70 A321neos. While United is making a big push for Airbus aircraft, the manufacturer only makes up 20% of the airline's fleet of more than 960 aircraft, with Boeing accounting for the majority of its future total orders. The Airbus, however, scores well with customers. 'It's the first time in a really long time that we took an Airbus, and this airplane right here [A321neo] is our highest-scoring customer service satisfaction airplane that we have in our system," United Airlines' Chief Global Operations Officer, Toby Enqvist, said in a in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
