Press release
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
About this update from United Airlines Holdings, Inc.
[{"type":"text","content":"\n Airline expands industry's only Special Olympics Service Ambassador (SOSA) program \n to Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Newark, bringing total to 28 hires across all seven hubs \n \n NFL hall of famer Jerry Rice suits up in San Francisco to help recruit and 'train' with current United SOSAs \n \n United SOSA duties include welcoming customers in the airport lobby and helping them find check-in kiosks, bag check locations and navigate security lines \n \n 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. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 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. \n \"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.\" \n 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. \n \"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 h...