Last Updated on July 25, 2026 by Daniel Globe
United Airlines has grown from an early air-mail carrier into one of the world’s largest airlines. For readers asking how many people work for United, the best answer comes from the company’s latest public filing rather than an older company profile or third-party database. The figure also needs a date and a clear definition of which United entities are included.
Quick Answer
United Airlines Holdings, including its subsidiaries, had approximately 117,500 employees as of June 30, 2026. About 83% were represented by U.S. labor organizations. This is the latest publicly reported companywide headcount, replacing the outdated 2021 and 2023 figures often quoted online.
Key Takeaways
- United reported about 117,500 employees on June 30, 2026.
- Year-end headcount increased from about 74,400 in 2020 to 113,200 in 2025.
- The workforce includes flight attendants, pilots, airport employees, technicians, dispatchers, corporate staff, and employees of subsidiaries.
- About 83% of the workforce was represented by U.S. labor organizations in the latest filing.
- Benefits, schedules, pay, and eligibility vary by job, location, employment status, and collective bargaining agreement.
The History of United Airlines
United traces its roots to the early commercial aviation era of the 1920s. Varney Air Lines, one of its predecessor carriers, began operating in 1926. By 1931, Varney, Boeing Air Transport, Pacific Air Transport, and National Air Transport were operating together as United Air Lines. The Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum’s history of early commercial aviation documents this consolidation.
The airline expanded as commercial flying became faster and more practical. United’s predecessor group adopted aircraft such as the Boeing 247 during the 1930s, while later decades brought jet aircraft, computerized reservations, and a much larger domestic and international network.
United launched its MileagePlus frequent-flyer program in 1981, not 1985. Another major turning point came when the United and Continental parent companies completed their merger on October 1, 2010. The two airlines were later combined into one legal airline entity. The 2010 merger announcement filed with the SEC confirms the closing date and Chicago headquarters.
United Airlines Employee Count Over the Years
United’s workforce has changed with mergers, travel demand, economic conditions, and the company’s post-pandemic growth plans. The table below uses company-reported figures. Except for the June 2026 figure, each number represents year-end headcount for United Airlines Holdings and its subsidiaries.
| Reporting date | Reported employee count | Change from prior entry |
|---|---|---|
| December 31, 2019 | About 95,900 | Baseline |
| December 31, 2020 | About 74,400 | Down about 22% |
| December 31, 2021 | About 84,100 | Up about 13% |
| December 31, 2022 | About 92,800 | Up about 10% |
| December 31, 2023 | About 103,300 | Up about 11% |
| December 31, 2024 | About 107,300 | Up about 4% |
| December 31, 2025 | About 113,200 | Up about 5% |
| June 30, 2026 | About 117,500 | Up about 4% from year-end 2025 |
The historical figures were compiled from United’s annual reports, while the latest figure comes from the company’s June 2026 quarterly filing. Small differences may appear in other sources because some publishers use full-time-equivalent employees, active employees, mainline-only staff, or a different reporting date.
Note: United’s SEC headcount covers United Airlines Holdings and its subsidiaries. It should not be treated as a mainline-only figure or compared directly with another airline unless both companies use the same reporting method.
United Airlines’ Current Employee Count
In its Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2026, United Airlines Holdings reported approximately 117,500 employees. The filing also stated that 83% were represented by various U.S. labor organizations.
United’s reported workforce grew to approximately 117,500 employees by June 30, 2026, about 22% above its year-end 2019 headcount.
The total includes frontline and office-based roles across the airline and its subsidiaries. It is not limited to people who work on aircraft or at airport gates.
Major Employee Groups
United’s 2025 annual report listed the following represented employee groups as of December 31, 2025. These categories do not equal the entire workforce because management, administrative staff, subsidiary employees, and some other groups are reported separately.
| Employee group | Employees at year-end 2025 | Union listed by United |
|---|---|---|
| Flight attendants | 28,220 | Association of Flight Attendants |
| Pilots | 17,126 | Air Line Pilots Association |
| Fleet service | 16,789 | International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers |
| Passenger service | 11,493 | International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers |
| Technicians | 10,599 | International Brotherhood of Teamsters |
| Storekeepers | 1,448 | International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers |
| Dispatchers | 554 | Professional Airline Flight Control Association |
| Fleet technical instructors | 162 | International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers |
United Airlines’ Hiring and Layoff Trends
United’s staffing levels tend to follow travel demand, fleet plans, retirements, training capacity, and economic conditions. The pandemic caused the sharpest recent decline: reported headcount fell from about 95,900 at the end of 2019 to about 74,400 at the end of 2020. The reduction reflected a mix of voluntary programs, leaves, furlough-related actions, and other workforce changes rather than one simple layoff event.
Hiring accelerated during the recovery. United reported approximately 13,100 external hires in 2025 and ended that year with about 113,200 employees. By June 2026, the workforce had increased to about 117,500.
Pro Tip: For the newest employee count, check United’s latest Form 10-Q or Form 10-K. A figure without a reporting date can become outdated within one quarter.
United Airlines’ Employee Benefits and Perks
United describes its employee package as a mix of financial, health, travel, social, and professional benefits. The company’s 2025 rewards and benefits overview lists a 401(k) plan with a company match, medical and insurance options, wellness programs, professional-development opportunities, and employee-led Business Resource Groups.
Travel privileges are one of the airline’s best-known perks. Eligible employees may receive standby travel and discounted airfare, but standby travel is space-available and does not guarantee a seat. Rules for companions, retirees, partner-airline travel, taxes, fees, and boarding priority can differ.
- Financial benefits: Wages or salary, retirement programs, and role-dependent incentive opportunities.
- Health and insurance: Medical, dental, vision, disability, life-insurance, and wellness options for eligible employees.
- Travel privileges: Space-available employee travel and certain discounted travel options.
- Time off: Vacation, sick leave, holidays, and other leave provisions based on the role and applicable policy or contract.
- Career development: Job-specific training, leadership development, internal mobility, and mentoring opportunities.
Note: Benefits are not identical for every employee. Eligibility and value may depend on country, work location, hours, seniority, employment status, and a union contract.
The Impact of COVID-19 on United Airlines’ Workforce
COVID-19 caused an abrupt collapse in passenger demand during 2020. United reduced schedules and used voluntary separation, leave, and cost-control programs as it adjusted its workforce. The year-end employee count dropped by roughly 21,500 from 2019 to 2020, a decline of about 22%.
The recovery was gradual but substantial. Headcount rose to about 84,100 in 2021, 92,800 in 2022, and 103,300 in 2023. By the end of 2023, United’s reported workforce was already above its year-end 2019 level. Continued hiring lifted the total to 117,500 by June 2026.
The pandemic also changed training, workplace-health procedures, staffing forecasts, and employee expectations. United’s later growth required the company to rebuild pipelines for pilots, flight attendants, technicians, airport staff, and other specialized roles.
United Airlines’ Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives
United says it works to create a workplace where employees from different backgrounds can develop and contribute. Its programs include equal-employment policies, recruiting partnerships, mentorship, employee feedback channels, and Business Resource Groups.
In 2025, United reported nine Business Resource Groups, nearly 60 chapters, and more than 50,000 group memberships. The membership figure represents enrollments and should not be read as the number of unique employees because one person may join more than one group.
Readers evaluating these efforts should look for measurable updates, employee access to development opportunities, pay practices, promotion data, and transparent reporting rather than relying only on broad statements about workplace culture.
United Airlines’ Labor Union Relations
United is a highly unionized airline. As of June 30, 2026, about 83% of its employees were represented by U.S. labor organizations. Major represented groups include pilots, flight attendants, technicians, fleet-service employees, passenger-service employees, dispatchers, storekeepers, and instructors.
Labor agreements affect pay, scheduling, work rules, benefits, seniority, and job protections. Negotiations can continue after a contract’s amendable date under the rules that govern U.S. airline labor relations.
A major 2026 update was the ratification of a five-year flight-attendant agreement effective May 31, 2026. United’s latest quarterly filing said the agreement included pay increases and changes related to scheduling, reserve requirements, and quality-of-life provisions.
United Airlines’ Employee Training and Development Programs
Airline work includes many safety-sensitive and regulated jobs, so training is a continuing requirement rather than a one-time orientation. United provides role-specific instruction for pilots, flight attendants, technicians, dispatchers, airport teams, customer-service employees, and managers.
Training may include classroom lessons, computer-based modules, supervised practice, simulations, recurrent qualifications, compliance instruction, and assessments. The exact curriculum depends on the job and the standards set by United, labor agreements, and government regulators.
United also describes internal mobility, succession planning, leadership programs, and professional development as parts of its workforce strategy. These programs help fill specialized roles and prepare employees for supervisory or leadership positions.
The Future of United Airlines’ Workforce
United’s workforce is likely to remain tied to fleet growth, network changes, retirements, technology, travel demand, and the availability of trained aviation professionals. The increase from 74,400 employees at the end of 2020 to 117,500 by June 2026 shows how quickly staffing needs can change during a recovery and expansion cycle.
Future growth will require more than recruiting. United must also train new hires, retain experienced employees, manage labor agreements, maintain safety and regulatory standards, and match staffing to aircraft and route plans. Automation may change some tasks, but aviation still depends heavily on licensed, trained, and customer-facing employees.
Because employee totals can change during the year, the most reliable approach is to treat 117,500 as a dated figure, not a permanent number. Future quarterly and annual filings will provide the next official updates.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many employees does United Airlines have?
United Airlines Holdings and its subsidiaries had approximately 117,500 employees as of June 30, 2026, according to the company’s latest quarterly filing.
Does the 117,500 figure cover only the mainline airline?
No. United reports the figure for United Airlines Holdings, including its subsidiaries. It should not be interpreted as a mainline-only employee count.
How has United’s employee count changed since the pandemic?
Reported headcount fell from about 95,900 at the end of 2019 to 74,400 at the end of 2020. It then rose each year, reaching about 113,200 at the end of 2025 and 117,500 by June 30, 2026.
What types of jobs do United Airlines employees have?
Roles include pilots, flight attendants, technicians, dispatchers, fleet-service employees, passenger-service employees, customer-service agents, operations staff, technology professionals, finance teams, human-resources staff, and other corporate or subsidiary positions.
Are United Airlines employees unionized?
Many are. United reported that approximately 83% of employees were represented by U.S. labor organizations as of June 30, 2026.
What benefits do United Airlines employees receive?
Depending on eligibility, employees may receive health and insurance options, retirement benefits, paid leave, travel privileges, wellness resources, and professional-development opportunities. Details vary by position, location, status, and labor agreement.
How does United’s workforce compare with other airlines?
United has one of the largest airline workforces in the United States. Exact rankings can be misleading because companies may report total employees, active employees, or full-time-equivalent employees on different dates.
Sources
- United Airlines Holdings Form 10-Q for June 30, 2026 — latest employee count, union representation, and 2026 flight-attendant agreement.
- United Airlines Holdings 2025 Form 10-K — year-end workforce, hiring, represented employee groups, and human-capital information.
- United Airlines Holdings annual reports — historical employee-count filings.
- United 2025 rewards and benefits report — benefits, development, and Business Resource Groups.
- Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum: Early Commercial Aviation — United predecessor history.
- United and Continental merger closing announcement — 2010 merger date and headquarters information.
