CHICAGO, June 22, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- United Airlines and the Chicago Urban League, along with the China-United States Exchange Foundation, is leading Chicago high school students on an educational, cultural and social trip through China.  

More than 20 Chicago students are spending two weeks of their summer vacation, June 20 through July 4, taking in the sights, sounds and cultures of Beijing, Shanghai and other Chinese cities. Students from more than 18 Chicago public and charter schools completed a rigorous application and nomination process in order to be selected for the trip.

"As a global airline, we connect people with places and experiences every day, but as Chicago's hometown airline, it is especially meaningful to connect this group of amazing students with this once-in-a-lifetime trip," said Brett Hart, executive vice president and general counsel for United and a member of the Chicago Urban League's board of directors. "We're honored to partner with the Chicago Urban League to improve the lives of young people in our community."

"This trip gives our students an opportunity to discover their potential and gain invaluable leadership skills, greater global awareness and interpersonal perspective that comes with traveling abroad," said interim president and CEO of the Chicago Urban League, Shari E. Runner.

Before the students departed on June 20, they participated in two different travel lessons with United including an orientation with flight attendants at the airline's headquarters in downtown Chicago and a tour and simulation at O'Hare airport. Students also participated in several academic workshops focused on various aspects of Chinese culture including language, philosophy, history, and economic and social development.

United proudly supports hundreds of organizations across the country that provide opportunities for youth, connect communities with arts and culture, work to improve lives through health and education, and improve the environment. United's 14,400 Chicago-based employees offer their time, talents and energy to make an impact in their communities. United continues to connect Chicago to the world, but just as importantly, United partners with more than 40 local organizations to address needs and issues in order to improve lives and to promote change for the better within the city.

About United

United Airlines and United Express operate an average of nearly 5,000 flights a day to 373 airports across six continents. In 2014, United and United Express operated nearly two million flights carrying 138 million customers. United is proud to have the world's most comprehensive route network, including U.S. mainland hubs in Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, New York/Newark, San Francisco and Washington, D.C. United operates nearly 700 mainline aircraft, and this year, the airline anticipates taking delivery of 34 new Boeing aircraft, including the 787-9 and the 737-900ER. United is also welcoming 49 new Embraer E175 aircraft to United Express. The airline is a founding member of Star Alliance, which provides service to 193 countries via 27 member airlines. More than 84,000 United employees reside in every U.S. state and in countries around the world. For more information, visit united.com, follow @United on Twitter or connect on Facebook. The common stock of United's parent, United Continental Holdings, Inc., is traded on the NYSE under the symbol UAL.

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SOURCE United Airlines