Solo travel is on the rise, and United Airlines is making it easier than ever for adventurers to take off on their own.
With National Plan a Solo Vacation Day approaching on March 1, United is highlighting smart travel hacks, top destinations, and app features designed to help solo travelers explore the world with confidence.
Google searches for “solo travel” have skyrocketed 223% in the last decade, and United saw a 5% increase in solo flyers in 2024 compared to the previous year. The trend is especially popular among Gen Z (70%) and Millennials (65%), who are embracing the freedom of traveling alone.
From personalized wayfinding tools to real-time flight updates and AI-powered recommendations, United is equipping solo travelers with everything they need for a smooth and stress-free journey.
“We know our customers want to make memories all over the world and our goal is to help them do this as easily as possible – whether they’re traveling with a companion or flying solo,” said David Kinzelman, Chief Customer Officer for United.
“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.”
Solo Travel Hotspots
United’s data reveals that solo travelers are not afraid to venture far from home. Some of the most popular destinations for independent explorers include:
- China
- South Korea
- Brazil
- India
- Nigeria
As the world’s largest airline, United flies to nearly 70 destinations that no other major U.S. carrier serves, offering solo travelers more options than ever before.
Smart Travel Tools for Solo Flyers
United’s self-service tools provide solo travelers with convenient and personalized support throughout their journey:
- Personalized wayfinding – Customers can receive customized day-of instructions to navigate certain airports with United’s Terminal Guide – from finding the most ideal airport entrance to getting to the gate.
- Juggle travel details single-handedly with ease – The juggle is real for solo travelers, but using the Live Activities for iPhone allows customers to get live, personalized flight notifications, all without opening the United app. Similarly, with Live Activities on Apple Watch, customers can access important flight information right from their wrist.
- Share your preference for the ideal seat – Whether you like gazing out the window, sitting aisle-side, the United app Seat Map feature has your back. Just click “Choose Seat Preference” to indicate your ideal seat. If a more preferred seat opens before departure, the app will move you automatically.
- Ask GenAI for destination recommendations – Hemispheres®, United’s digital inflight magazine, now offers an AI-powered trip planning feature for every destination the airline offers covers. Get recommendations for where to eat, where to stay, what to do, and more. Choose “Explore with GenAI” here.
- Explore using our search by map – Travelers can use an interactive destinations map to compare and shop for flights based on departure city, budget and even travel interests like beaches, national parks, hiking and more.
- Connection Saver – Making a love connection or flight connection this February should be the last thing any traveler is stressing about. We know flying solo can be freeing but missing a connecting flight can be stressful, which is why United’s Connection Saver can help take away that worry and helped save more than 725,000 customer missed connections in 2024.
- More places, more miles and more adventures – With United’s free to join MileagePlus® program members can earn miles that never expire and book international trips starting at just 20,000 miles each way. They can also take advantage of Money+Miles where members are able to apply as little as 1,000 miles toward a ticket.
Earning More Miles for Future Adventures
United’s MileagePlus® program allows solo travelers to earn miles that never expire. International flights start at just 20,000 miles each way, and members can use the Money+Miles feature to apply as little as 1,000 miles toward a ticket.
United’s Connection Saver tool also reduces stress by helping travelers make tight flight connections, preventing missed flights, and ensuring smoother solo trips. In 2024 alone, it helped save more than 725,000 missed connections.
Expert Tips from United’s Solo Travel Enthusiasts
United employees, many of whom are seasoned solo travelers, recommend these tips for a successful trip:
- Safety First – Be aware of your surroundings, research the destination ahead of time and avoid areas that are unsafe and consider sharing your location with family and friends back home.
- Be open minded – Read about the local history prior to your arrival and learn basic customs and greetings.
- Plan ahead but be flexible – Create a plan with what you want to see, eat and do at your destination, but always leave extra time in case you want to try something different.
- Soak it all in – Solo travelling is a great way to reflect on life and grow as a person.
Download apps before your trip – Save on international data by researching and downloading any apps you need before you leave home. Don’t forget the United app!
With solo travel surging in popularity, United Airlines is helping independent explorers navigate the world with ease. Whether it’s a weekend getaway or a bucket-list adventure, travelers can take off confidently, knowing United has their back.
