Global Procurement
Value and innovation through competition
United’s Global Procurement team purchases goods and services to meet the airline’s needs while balancing cost, quality, risk, and operational performance. It is our mandate to:
- Pursue year-over-year cost savings without compromising safety, quality, or compliance.
- Serve as trusted strategic partners to our internal customers and suppliers.
- Drive efficiency through continuous improvement and innovation
United supports the competitive bidding model — it’s the right practice for our business to ensure we are finding the most qualified and competitive suppliers.
Doing business with United
Our suppliers are an essential part of the team, driving innovation and providing the goods and services that enhance the customer experience.
United procures a wide-range of goods and services to support our operations, and if you are interested in doing business with us, we welcome the opportunity to learn more about your business.
As a federal government contractor, United is required to develop a subcontracting plan that includes goals for small businesses (SB), small, disadvantaged businesses (SDB), woman-owned small businesses (WOSB), Historical Underutilized Business Zone (HUBZone) Small Businesses, Veteran-Owned Small Business (VOSB), and Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSB). In addition, we welcome all businesses including other than small, LGBTQ-owned, and minority-owned businesses to participate in United sourcing events.
Supplier Registration
Coming soon. We are developing a new and improved way for all potential suppliers to connect with United buyers. Send an email with your name and your company’s name to SupplierRegistration@united.com . We’ll reach out as soon as we have details.
If you are a small, veteran-owned, disabled-owned, woman-owned, LGBTQ-owned, and/or minority-owned business, please provide information about your company, including certification here. This process allows United to verify your size and ownership status.
United relies on third-party verification to confirm size and ownership status. We recognize local, state, and federal certifications and classifications, but certification is not a requirement to work with United.
The following third-parties provide resources to confirm size and obtain certification:
- The Small Business Administration (SBA)
- 8(a) Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB)
- System for Award Management
- National Veteran Business Development Council (NVBDC)
- Disability:In
- National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC)
- Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC)
- National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC)
Goods and services we procure
- AC maintenance support including aircraft painting
- Aircraft cabin cleaning
- Aircraft ground handling
- Architecture and Engineering
- Audio, visual, consumables, displays, laptop, desktop, mobile devices, and office printers
- Aviation component repair and overhaul support
- Aviation materials sales support
- Aviation part manufacturing capability including items like soft goods
- Background checks
- Baggage handling systems
- Bussing services
- Construction management and general contracting equipment and furniture
- Displays, ground radio, kiosks, printers, scanners, and time clocks
- Economy free food & drinks
- Engine overhaul and maintenance
- Frozen entrees
- Ground and air freight support for small package and large material movement
- Ground handling
- Janitorial and security services
- Managed IT consulting and security service
- Onboard snacks for purchase
- Project management services
- Relocation service
- Skycap and wheelchair services
- Snow removal and deicing services
- Various types of training such as general, tech and leadership talent acquisition, HR tools and services
- Wineries and wine distribution companies