Category Archives: United Airlines

Air Canada and United Airlines expand their relationship for transborder flights

Air Canada and United Airlines today announced a joint business agreement for the Canada-U.S. transborder market, building on their long-standing alliance, that will give more flight options and better flight schedules to customers traveling between the two countries. Customers will be able to connect to 38 codeshare destinations in the U.S. and eight of the most popular cities in Canada — all while enjoying the benefits of the carriers’ MileagePlus® and Aeroplan loyalty programs. The agreement will also strengthen and grow both carriers’ networks and help accelerate their COVID-19 recovery.

Customers who search for flights between the U.S. and Canada on United’s or Air Canada’s websites and apps will find more flight options scheduled at more convenient times. Codeshare between the two carriers will also be expanded and members of both the MileagePlus and Aeroplan programs will have more accrual and redemption options.

In 2019, the U.S.-Canada transborder market was the second largest international passenger air transportation market in the world and the largest international market for both Canada and the U.S., as measured by seats.

Air Canada and United already cooperate in the transborder market, according to the terms of their existing U.S. antitrust immunity. Under the joint business agreement, subject to compliance with U.S. and Canadian regulatory and antitrust requirements, the two airlines will now be able to:

Coordinate their networks and schedules, enabling the carriers to offer customers more choice, including more flights throughout the day and more access to each airline’s seat inventory.
Enhance codeshare on transborder flights, excluding certain U.S. leisure markets and territories. The carriers anticipate customers will be able to connect to 46 transborder codeshare destinations with more than 400 daily frequencies in 2022 – with opportunities to add more codeshare destinations for domestic routes within Canada and the U.S.
Sell seats on each other’s transborder flights and share revenue on flights between hub markets (where regulatory authorities and antitrust requirements allow), allowing the carriers to grow their overall capacities.
Align customer policies for greater consistency and enable the seamless provision of onboard products, establish airport co-locations where available and provide extra value to each carriers’ frequent flyer programs.
Allow the two carriers to work closer together to advance their sustainability objectives.

The implementation of an expanded partnership builds on the existing close cooperation of the two carriers and previously acquired regulatory approvals. United and Air Canada are also founding members of Star Alliance and a transatlantic joint business agreement with the Lufthansa Group.

United Airlines announces second quarter 2022 net income of $329 million

United Airlines (UAL) today reported second quarter 2022 financial results. The company achieved the highest second quarter revenue in its history, delivering its first profitable quarter since COVID-19 began, despite record-high fuel prices. The second quarter results combined with continued progress the company is seeing affirms United’s confidence in achieving the long-term adjusted pre-tax margin¹ targets of approximately 9 percent in 2023 and about 14 percent in 2026 that are part of the United Next strategy.

For the quarter, the company saw operating revenue up 6 percent versus the same quarter in 2019 and expects to see sequential improvement in the third quarter. The company also had record-setting TRASM (Total Revenue Per Available Seat Mile), up 24 percent versus the same quarter in 2019 and expects 24 to 26 percent improvement in the third quarter over third quarter 2019. Second quarter revenue improved at a rapid pace and while the company anticipates the economy will slow in the near to medium term, the continuing pandemic recovery is more than offsetting economic headwinds — leading to expected revenue and earnings acceleration in the third quarter. As a result, the company continues to expect to be profitable for the full year 2022. Additionally, even as the industry faced several, well-documented operational challenges throughout the quarter, United performed well and with the exception of Newark had operating results largely in line with 2019.

“I am grateful to the United team that has fought through severe systemic challenges impacting all of global aviation to serve our customers,” said United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby. “It’s nice to return to profitability – but we must confront three risks that could grow over the next 6-18 months. Industry-wide operational challenges that limit the system’s capacity, record fuel prices and the increasing possibility of a global recession are each real challenges that we are already addressing. These fundamental challenges have already led to higher costs, higher fuel prices but, also higher revenue, which means we’re as confident as ever we will deliver on our 9 percent adjusted pre-tax margin target in 2023.”

Second Quarter Financial Results

Reported second quarter 2022 net income of $329 million, adjusted net income² of $471 million.
Reported second quarter 2022 capacity down 15% compared to second quarter 2019.
Reported second quarter 2022 total operating revenue of $12.1 billion, up 6% compared to second quarter 2019.
Reported second quarter 2022 TRASM of up 24% compared to second quarter 2019.
Reported second quarter 2022 Cost Per Available Seat Mile (CASM) of up 32%, and CASM-ex² of up 17%, compared to second quarter 2019.
Reported second quarter 2022 operating margin of 7.2%, adjusted operating margin² of 8.2%.
Reported second quarter 2022 pre-tax margin of 3.8%, adjusted pre-tax margin² of 5.0%.
Reported second quarter 2022 fuel price of approximately $4.18 per gallon.
Reported second quarter 2022 payments of long-term debt, finance leases and other financing liabilities of $1.0 billion.
Reported second quarter 2022 ending available liquidity³ of $22 billion.

Operational Performance

ConnectionSaver tool helped save more than 150,000 connections, assisting more than 1,600 customers daily on average.
Inflight satisfaction for on-time flights remained at the highest historic level, achieving 80% for the quarter.
700,000 customers used the Agent on Demand platform since the beginning of the year.

Key Highlights

Launched a new, national advertising campaign – “Good Leads The Way” – that tells the story of United’s leadership in areas like customer service, diversity and sustainability, and captures the optimism fueling the airline’s large ambitions at a time of unprecedented demand in air travel.
Announced expansion of its Flight Training Center in Denver, already the largest facility of its kind in the world, as United seeks to hire an additional 10,000 pilots by 2030.
Became the first airline to donate flights in support of the White House’s Operation Fly Formula and transported Kendamil formula free of charge from Heathrow Airport in London to its Washington, Dulles hub.

Customer-Focused Enhancements

Opened the new United Club^SM location at Newark Liberty International Airport, a 30,000 square foot space offering travelers a modern design, enhanced amenities and culinary offerings.
Debuted new custom amenity kits for United Polaris^® from Away ahead of summer travel.
Announced limited-time collaboration with Spritz Society to offer complimentary premium cocktails on flights from Chicago to Milan and Newark to Rome, and in select United Clubs.
Debuted new plant-based menu items from Impossible Foods as part of United’s commitment to add more vegan and vegetarian options to its culinary line-up amidst growing demand for plant-based meat.

Network

Announced year-round, nonstop service between San Francisco, California, and Brisbane, Australia, becoming the first U.S. airline to add a new transpacific destination to its global network since the start of COVID-19.
Announced the company’s application with the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) for three weekly nonstop flights between Washington, D.C., and Cape Town, South Africa. The application was tentatively approved by the DOT earlier this month.
Resumed nonstop service between San Francisco and Melbourne, Australia.
Kicked off the launch of the largest transatlantic expansion in United history with 10 new routes including new destinations Amman, Jordan; Bergen, Norway; Nice, France; Ponta Delgada, Portugal; Palma de Mallorca, Spain; and Tenerife, Spain.
Expanded the airline’s codeshare agreement with Star Alliance member Singapore Airlines, making it easier for customers to travel to more cities in the United States, Southeast Asia and other destinations in the Asia-Pacific region.
Launched a new alliance partnership with Virgin Australia, providing customers new connectivity to Australian cities beyond nonstop services.
Resumed 24 international routes in the second quarter.
Announced new three times weekly service between Tokyo, Japan, and Saipan in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islandsbeginning in September 2022.

Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG)

Announced a new collaboration with OneTen, a coalition committed to upskill, hire and advance Black talent into family-sustaining careers over the next 10 years.
United Airlines Ventures announced an investment in and commercial agreement with Dimensional Energy, another step forward to reaching United’s pledge to become 100% green by achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, without relying on the use of traditional carbon offsets.
Became the first U.S. airline to sign an agreement with Neste to purchase sustainable aviation fuel overseas.
United employees and their families participated in 11 different Pride parades in June and July in United hub markets and beyond.
United employees and their families participated in nearly 20 different Earth Month events across our hub communities and beyond.
Over 42 million miles and more than $400,000 donated to World Central Kitchen, Airlink, American Red Cross, and Americares in support of Ukraine relief efforts by United’s customers, with an additional 5 million miles and $100,000 matched by United.
Hosted send-off events for more than 350 athletes and their families flying to the 2022 USA Special Olympics Games in Orlando, Florida, including a fellow O’Hare International Airport Special Olympics Service Ambassador.
United welcomed 50 local youths and their family members to its Los Angeles International Airport maintenance facility for a three-week aviation program.
Sponsored the “Girls Rock Wings” event with Sisters of the Skies, allowing more than 60 young Black women, ages 10-18, to envision a future in aviation.
United, in partnership with the Warriors Community Foundation and Good Tidings Foundation, revealed the newly refurbished basketball court and gymnasium at the Willie Mays Boys and Girls Club of San Francisco.
In the second quarter, through a combination of cargo-only and passenger flights, United transported approximately 275 million pounds of freight, including COVID-19 vaccines and other essential supplies, which included nearly 33 million pounds of vital shipments, such as medical kits, personal protective equipment, pharmaceuticals, and medical equipment.

United Airlines pilots to get raises of 14.5% and 8 weeks of maternity leave

United Airlines’ pilots are going to get a major pay increase if the new contract is approved by its members.

ALPA issued this statement:

On June 24, the United Master Executive Council representing 14,000 United Airlines pilots, as represented by the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA), voted to approve a tentative agreement (TA) on modified terms for their collective bargaining agreement. The TA will now be sent out to the membership for ratification. If ratified, the TA will generate an additional $1.3 billion of value for United pilots over the course of the two-year agreement. Approval by a majority of the voting membership is needed for ratification and voting closes July 15, 2022.

Highlights include:

No changes to the number of permitted 76, 70, or 50 seat regional aircraft or changes to job protections related to international flying
Three pay rate increases totaling more than 14.5% within 18 months, retroactive to the start of 2022
Enhanced overtime compensation and premium pay
Significant improvements to reserve scheduling and pay provisions
Improved trip construction parameters to combat pilot fatigue
New quality of life improvements to provide increased pilot schedule flexibility
Creation of a new tax-advantaged retirement plan
A new 8-week paid maternity leave benefit
Improvements to long term disability benefits
Improved training compensation
Enhanced instructor, evaluator, and line check pilot compensation to increase training capacity to meet United’s unprecedented hiring and growth plans

“This agreement raises the bar for all airline pilots and leads the industry forward,” said Capt. Michael Hamilton, Chair of ALPA’s United pilot group. “Our ability to reach this agreement, and the current success of United Airlines, is driven by front-line United pilots who stayed unified and focused throughout negotiations despite the incredible challenges we faced during the largest disruption in the history of aviation.”

Top Copyright Photo: United Airlines Airbus A319-131 N802UA (msn 690) IAH (Jarrod Wilkening). Image: 957963.

United Airlines aircraft photo gallery (current livery):

United Airlines aircraft photo gallery (historic liveries):

United to cut around 50 flights a day from its Newark hub

United Airlines has announced it will cut around 50 flights a day from its Newark hub next month in an attempt to reduce delays and cancellations.

The cuts at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) will amount to around 12% of the airline’s domestic schedule from the airport.

Fantasy airline liveries we will never see – the artwork of Gianfranco Beting

Flap International Editor Gianfranco Beting has used his editing skills to create these fantasy airline liveries on aircraft types and airlines that were never operated. Breeze has a chance!

All image work is copyright by Gianfranco Beting. Thank you Gianfranco for sharing your talents.

Airline Liveries:

FLAP International:

https://www.revistaflap.com.br

United debuts new plant-based menu items from Impossible Foods

United Airlines is today adding two new Impossible Foods menu items on select flights and in certain airport lounges, as part of the carrier’s new push to add more plant-based options to its food offerings.

As part of a new collaboration between United and Impossible Foods, the United-exclusive Impossible™ Meatball Bowl is now available to first class customers on all domestic flights more than 800 miles in the continental U.S. The Impossible™ Sausage is available in Polaris^® lounges in Chicago, Los Angeles, Newark and San Francisco.

Impossible Meatball Bowl, available exclusively to United Airlines customers

The collaboration comes as more than half of U.S. consumers are increasing their plant-based food consumption and sales of plant-based meat continue to climb, according to a recent Nielsen report¹.

The Impossible Meatball Bowl features three Impossible Meatballs™ Made From Plants and broccolini served on a bed of couscous and topped with an herb-infused tomato sauce. Impossible Meatballs are made with a custom mix of Impossible Beef™ Made From Plants and Impossible Sausage, seasoned with a savory homestyle spice blend. Additionally, during breakfast at Chicago O’Hare, Los Angeles, Newark and San Francisco Polaris lounges, United will offer ground Impossible Sausage as an optional omelet ingredient and Impossible Sausage breakfast patties in the buffet.

Impossible Foods is on a mission to create delicious, nutritious meat made from plants with a far lower environmental impact compared to meat made from animals. Impossible products are designed to look, cook and taste like animal meat, delivering the crave worthy benefits of meat without many of the negative qualities. Both Impossible Meatballs and Impossible Sausage are a good source of protein and other essential nutrients, while containing 0 mg cholesterol and trans fat, and no animal hormones or antibiotics. Furthermore, they require a fraction of the land use, water consumption and greenhouse gas emissions associated with producing their animal meat counterparts, according to preliminary lifecycle analyses.

Starting this week, customers in eligible markets can pre-order the Impossible Meatball Bowl through United.com or the United mobile app. For more information on United culinary offerings, visit United.com.

¹Nielsen, “Growing demand for plant-based proteins,” (September 2021)

United to add the San Francisco – Brisbane route

United Airlines has announced year-round, nonstop service between San Francisco and Brisbane, becoming the first U.S. airline to add a new transpacific destination to its global network since the start of the pandemic. From Brisbane, United customers will be able to easily connect to nearly 20 other cities within Australia thanks to the airline’s new partnership with Virgin Australia. United was the only carrier to maintain passenger service between Australia and the U.S. during the pandemic.

In addition to the new Brisbane route, United currently flies nonstop to Sydney from San Francisco and Los Angeles and offers nonstop flights between Melbourne and the U.S.

The launch of this route is supported by The Queensland Government’s Attracting Aviation Investment Fund, which was established to help rebuild the country’s international tourism industry. United’s new service will support 385 local jobs and bring an estimated $73 million into the economy. Pre-pandemic, San Francisco was the second largest mainland U.S. inbound passenger market and destination for Queensland travelers. United’s hub at San Francisco provides convenient one-stop connections for more than 80 North American destinations.

United’s new Brisbane service will operate three times weekly on a 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft that includes 48 lie-flat, United Polaris^® business class seats, 21 United Premium Plus^® seats, 39 Economy Plus® seats and 149 economy seats. All seats are equipped with seatback on-demand entertainment to help customers pass the time and relax during their travels.

United is the longest serving U.S. carrier in Australia, serving the country for more than 35 years with its first direct service to Sydney in 1986. The airline first began offering nonstop service to Melbourne from Los Angeles in 2014 and recently restarted its San Francisco–Melbourne service this June.

United Airlines aircraft photo gallery:

United is now flying from Newark to the Azores and Bergen

United Airlines is now flying three times a week from Newark to the Azores, Portugal and Bergen, Norway.

United Airlines aiorcraft photo gallery (Boeing):

United debuts new custom amenity kits

United Airlines made this announcement:

Starting on June 1, travelers flying in premium cabins on United’s long-haul international and premium transcontinental routes will be the first to experience the airline’s new, co-branded amenity kits designed exclusively for the airline by global travel lifestyle brand Away. Inspired by Away’s iconic suitcases and versatile accessories, United will offer three versions of the amenity kits, each with custom travel essentials and Sunday Riley’s United-exclusive range of clean, cruelty-free skincare products. The collaboration signifies the first time Away, the global travel lifestyle brand, has partnered with a commercial airline.

(PRNewsfoto/United Airlines)

Together, United and Away thoughtfully designed each amenity kit to be the perfect accessory for customers to freshen up on long flights and reutilize on future journeys. The Away amenity kits offered include:

Hard Pod: For travelers flying in United Polaris® business on long-haul international flights. The sturdy shell and interior elastic band will help keep belongings organized.
Sports Pouch: For travelers flying in United Premium Plus® on long-haul international flights. Featuring a soft, protective material you can keep all your belongings organized —including your other travel essentials.
Zip Case: For travelers flying in United Business on premium transcontinental flights. The water-resistant kit for transcontinental premium travelers is an ideal solution for storing liquids and moving quickly through airport security lines.

In addition to co-branded personal care essentials like earbuds, an eye mask, and a dental kit, the Away amenity kits will include United’s In-Flight Remedy skin-care products from trusted partner and customer-favorite Sunday Riley. Sunday Riley custom developed the In-Flight Remedy line to offer United passengers, high-end skincare products on long-haul international flights and transcontinental flights. Formulated with hydration in mind to meet flyers’ needs for increased moisture as they travel, each amenity kit includes a variety of Sunday Riley products, from face creams and cleansing cloths to hand creams and lip balms.

United opens its largest club in the country

United Airlines on May 19 announced the opening of its new, nearly 30,000 square-foot United Club location at Newark Liberty International Airport, offering travelers a modern design, enhanced amenities and culinary offerings, locally-sourced art and furniture pieces and views of the Manhattan skyline.

Located in Terminal C3 near gate C123, this club is the largest club in United’s network, and is opening just in time for the Memorial Day holiday, which the airline expects will be one of its busiest travel weekends so far this year.

The Newark United Club location features a new design and reflects a modern take on the United Club experience. It showcases many firsts for the club, as well as existing premium offering, including the following:

The largest club in our network: The club features more than 480 seats across spaces for lounging, working, private dining and socializing.
Spa-like showers: Members can freshen-up in one of the six, spa-like shower suites at Newark, stocked with Sunday Riley products.
Coffee shop experience: Staffed by a barista ready to prepare their favorite hand-crafted drinks, flyers can get inspired at the full-service coffee bar, featuring illy signature blend of 100 percent Arabica beans, in addition to culinary offerings in all United Clubs, like complimentary beverages and snacks.
Modern, Newark-inspired design: Flyers can enjoy unmatched views of the Manhattan skyline amidst locally-sourced furniture pieces and décor, as well as the new design and color scheme that will be rolled-out in future new and refurbished clubs. The space also includes modern amenities, like self-scan entry for quick access and free, high-speed Wi-Fi.
Sustainable, green materials: As part of the airline’s sustainability commitment, the Club is designed with sustainable materials and features, such as WaterSense-rated fixtures, enhanced indoor air quality, green cleaning and more.

Additionally, in collaboration with The Newark Museum of Art and Gallery Aferro, the new club location prominently features two murals created by local artists, Gilbert Hsiao and Dahlia Elsayed. Inspired by the musical legacy in the Newark area and United’s iconic history, Hsiao’s mural, located in the club’s entryway, is a deceptively simple, eye-catching piece featuring dots and circles to represent abstract beats in space as well as nod to the United globe. Elsayed’s artwork, situated in the club’s lounge, is an abstract and textural piece, referencing Arshile Gorky’s famous 1936-67 murals at EWR, with imagery inclusive of built and natural environments of the New York / New Jersey area.

“The Newark Museum of Art is honored to be a part of this remarkable tribute to our community and our city,” said Linda Harrison, The Newark Museum of Art’s director and CEO. “May these tremendous artworks inspire and remind our residents and visitors of Newark’s role as a cultural hub for artistic excellence and community cultivation. We are so proud to contribute to this exciting unveiling and pay homage to our special city with these two extraordinary works of art.”

United Airlines aircraft photo gallery (Boeing):

United Airlines aircraft photo gallery (historic liveries):