Solo travel booms as United shares tips, destinations, and app features for adventurers

Solo travel is on the rise, with United Airlines highlighting tips, popular destinations, and app features to celebrate National Plan a Solo Vacation Day on March 1. Google searches for “solo travel” have increased by 223% over the past decade, and solo flights with United grew by 5% in 2024 compared to 2023. David Kinzelman, Chief Customer Officer for United, emphasises, “When you travel with United, you have access to more unique international destinations than any other U.S. airline and the self-service features in our app mean you can explore a new city with confidence knowing that no matter where you are in the world, United has your back.”

Details of solo travel

Solo travel peaks from January to May, and again from September to November. Gen Z leads in solo travel (70%), followed by Millennials (65%) and Boomers (57%). Popular solo destinations include China, Korea, Brazil, India, and Nigeria, with United serving nearly 70 exclusive international locations.

To support solo adventurers, United offers various tools for seamless travel:

• Personalised wayfinding: The United app’s Terminal Guide helps navigate airports, from the best entrance to the gate.
• Live activities: Real-time flight updates on iPhone or Apple Watch without needing to open the app.
• Seat preferences: Choose your ideal seat, and the app automatically moves you if one becomes available.
• GenAI recommendations: AI-powered trip planning in Hemispheres® for destinations, dining, and activities.
• Search by map: Explore destinations based on budget and interests like beaches or national parks.
• Connection saver: Prevent missed connections, with over 725,000 saved in 2024.
• MileagePlus®: Earn miles on international trips starting at 20,000 miles one-way, and use miles for discounts through Money+Miles.

With United, solo travellers are empowered to explore with confidence.

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