Intern - Airport Operations (ORD) (Summer 2026)

Achieving our goals starts with supporting yours. Grow your career, access top-tier health and wellness benefits, build lasting connections with your team and our customers, and travel the world using our extensive route network.<br><br>Come join us to create what’s next. Let’s define tomorrow, together.<br><br><h2>Description</h2><p class="MsoNormal">At United, we offer internships, co-ops, and full-time opportunities for early career professionals. In any role, you’re a key member of our team, contributing to real projects that help move the business forward while gaining hands-on experience, growing your professional skill set, and connecting with industry leaders. You’ll also have a chance to build community through our employee-run Business Resource Groups, participate in industry conferences, and enjoy unlimited standby travel anywhere we fly.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">At United, we fly into airports around the entire world. And we need a whole team of people to keep things running in tip-top shape. From the check-in counter to the departure gate, and even behind the scenes, our Airport Operations team keeps operations at our airports running smoothly every single day.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><h2>Key Responsibilities:<o:p></o:p></h2><ul style="margin-top:0in;" type="disc"><li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in;">Serve as an internal consultant, providing business analyses to management of various operating divisions on challenges and opportunities facing the airline<o:p></o:p></li></ul><ul style="margin-top:0in;" type="disc"><li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level2 lfo2;tab-stops:list 1.0in;">This may include one or more of the following: strategy, innovation and process improvement initiatives, performance analysis and data visualization, baggage performance, change management, safety and regulatory compliance, and station operations planning<o:p></o:p></li></ul><ul style="margin-top:0in;" type="disc"><li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in;">Potential assignments include analyzing operational performance, developing strategic plans, establishing performance metrics, and working with company organizations to analyze growth opportunities<o:p></o:p></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in;">Interns are also responsible for studying organizational changes, communications, information flow, integrated production methods, and gathering and organizing information regarding problems and procedures<o:p></o:p></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in;">They analyze information gathered, interpret data from various sources, and consider available solutions or alternative methods of proceeding, as may be required<o:p></o:p></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in;">Job duties may vary based on location & team assigned. Teams in which you may be assigned could include:<o:p></o:p></li></ul><ul style="margin-top:0in;" type="disc"><li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level2 lfo3;tab-stops:list 1.0in;">Projects & Executions<o:p></o:p></li></ul><ul style="margin-top:0in;" type="disc"><li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level2 lfo4;tab-stops:list 1.0in;">Ramp<o:p></o:p></li></ul><ul style="margin-top:0in;" type="disc"><li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level2 lfo5;tab-stops:list 1.0in;">Business<o:p></o:p></li></ul><ul style="margin-top:0in;" type="disc"><li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level2 lfo6;tab-stops:list 1.0in;">Customer Service<o:p></o:p></li></ul><ul style="margin-top:0in;" type="disc"><li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level2 lfo7;tab-stops:list 1.0in;">Station Operations Center<o:p></o:p></li></ul><p class="MsoNormal">This internship is designed solely to provide you with skill development and valuable work experience. This role will likely not convert to a full-time position at United at the conclusion of the internship.<o:p></o:p></p><h2>Qualifications</h2><h2>What’s needed to succeed (Minimum Qualifications):<o:p></o:p></h2><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;text-indent:-.25in;"><span style="font-family:Symbol;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-list:Ignore;">·</span><span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-list:Ignore;">       </span></span>Must be an undergraduate or graduate student at start of the internship with at least one semester remaining prior to graduation. Must be pursuing a degree in Aviation Management, Business, Industrial Engineering, Business Management, Data Analytics, or a related quantitative field of study<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;text-indent:-.25in;"><span style="font-family:Symbol;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-list:Ignore;">·</span><span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-list:Ignore;">       </span></span>Proven proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint)<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;text-indent:-.25in;"><span style="font-family:Symbol;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-list:Ignore;">·</span><span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-list:Ignore;">       </span></span>Strong quantitative and problem-solving skills<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;text-indent:-.25in;"><span style="font-family:Symbol;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-list:Ignore;">·</span><span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-list:Ignore;">       </span></span>Applicant must be legally authorized to work in the United States for any employer without sponsorship or future sponsorship<o:p></o:p></p><h2>What will help you propel from the pack (Preferred Qualifications):<o:p></o:p></h2><ul style="margin-top:0in;" type="disc"><li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2;tab-stops:list .5in;">Interest in the operational environment<o:p></o:p></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2;tab-stops:list .5in;">Interest in the airline industry<o:p></o:p></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2;tab-stops:list .5in;">Previous airline, operations, or project management experience<o:p></o:p></li></ul><br>The starting rate for this role is $20.00.<br>The base salary range/hourly rate listed is dependent on job-related, non-discriminatory factors such as experience, education and skills. This position may also be eligible for bonus and/or long-term incentive compensation awards.<br><br>You may be eligible for the following competitive benefits: medical, dental, vision, life, accident & disability, parental leave, employee assistance program, commuter, paid holidays, paid time off, 401(k) and flight privileges.<br><br>United Airlines is an equal opportunity employer. United Airlines recruits, employs, trains, compensates and promotes regardless of race, religion, color, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, physical ability, age, veteran status and other protected status as required by applicable law. Equal Opportunity Employer - Minorities/Women/Veterans/Disabled/LGBT.<br><br>We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform crucial job functions. Please contact <a href="mailto:JobAccommodations@united.com" target="_blank">JobAccommodations@united.com</a> to request accommodation.