United Celebrates America With Custom 250th Anniversary Livery | News

United today unveiled a new special “Stars and Stripes” paint scheme in honor of the nation’s 250th anniversary and announced a milestone in the airline’s United Military Pilot Program, an initiative that gives currently serving active-duty U.S. military pilots access to a conditional job offer with the airline much earlier than they were previously offered.

United Celebrates America with Custom 250th Anniversary Livery and Milestone in Military Pilot Recruitment Program

Since 2024, nearly 600 military pilots have transferred to United through the program, with another 500 expected by the end of 2027.

To celebrate America’s 250th anniversary, United’s new special livery will take to the skies this summer on U.S.-built Boeing 787-10 and Boeing 737-800. Painted in Amarillo, Texas, the striking red, white and blue design features 50 stars representing states across the country, while diagonal red and white stripes reflect the energy and momentum of a country always moving forward. Both aircraft will include a plaque honoring United’s active duty members and veterans who selflessly served our country.

U.S. Secretary of Transportation Sean P. Duffy and United CEO Scott Kirby were joined by United employees, including those from United’s Veterans’ Business Resource Group, and local dignitaries at Washington Dulles International Airport to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary and the airline’s pilot hiring milestone.

“America is the greatest country in the world, and we are proud to play a role in celebrating our country’s 250th anniversary,” said Kirby. “Throughout 100 years of that history, United has been a pioneering American company investing in people and communities across the country. Today, we proudly employ more than 8,300 military veterans, including 1,500 active-duty members of the National Guard and Reserve. Our ‘Stars and Stripes’ paint scheme honors their service to our country, which continues to make America strong.”

“It’s great to see United joining this administration’s call to celebrate America’s historic birthday,” said U.S. Secretary of Transportation Sean P. Duffy. “This patriotic design will remind the American people of the many freedoms we enjoy and how fortunate we are to be part of the Great American Experiment!”

United’s support of military personnel and veterans

United supports servicemembers, veterans and military families through recruitment programs, employee engagement and military-focused organizations in communities across the United States.

United Military Pilot Program: This initiative provides active duty and active reserve military pilots a path to a United flight deck with a conditional job offer as a first officer. Applicants must be more than 12 months from the date of availability to start full-time with United, and a minimum of 12 months from the date of separation. Applicants are not required to hold an Airline Transport Pilot Certificate at the time of application to receive a conditional job offer, providing flexibility for service members, including starting with United when the time is right for them and their families. United currently has more than 18,000 pilots, including more than 4,500 veterans.
United for Veterans: United’s business resource group for employees who are military veterans, servicemembers and their supporters, includes more than 5,300 members and supports the company’s efforts to recruit, develop and retain veteran talent within the airline.
United Support for Military Organizations: United supports organizations that serve veterans, servicemembers and their families through flight support for veterans to visit memorials in the nation’s capital and around the world, career mentorship, volunteerism and other in-kind contributions. This includes support for organizations such as the USO, the Greatest Generations Foundation, as well as the Fisher House Foundation, where United has provided more than 16,000 flights to military and veteran families in need, and United teams across the country have volunteered at local Fisher Houses to help cook meals, garden and decorate homes for the families staying there.
United’s Miles on a Mission: MileagePlus® members can donate unused miles to the USO to support traveling military personnel and their families, as well as directly to the Fisher House Foundation’s Hero Miles program to bring family members to the bedside of injured service members.
For more information about United’s military hiring and other career opportunities, visit United.com/career