United flight attendants give children wings, aircraft trading cards and passport books, a spokesman said. Both Alaska and Southwest have handed out wings for years, spokeswomen said. Delta ceased distributing kids' wings early this century, then restored the practice in 2011.

As of 2026, several major airlines continue the tradition of giving out "pilot wings" to children, though they are now typically plastic stickers or pins rather than the metal pins of the past. Delta Air Lines is the most consistent, with many pilots carrying a supply of plastic wings to hand out during cockpit visits or boarding. Southwest Airlines and American Airlines also frequently provide them to young travelers. Internationally, Lufthansa and Emirates are known for their high-quality "junior pilot" kits which often include wings. Some airlines have modernized this into a digital experience; for example, United Airlines has a "wings" badge that kids can earn in their kid-friendly app features. While it is never a guarantee, a polite request to a flight attendant or a pilot during a quiet moment (like boarding or deplaning) is almost always met with a "wing" and a smile, as airlines use this as a key brand-loyalty tool for the next generation of flyers.