United Airlines

United Airlines, Inc.

, usually as United, is a major American airline headquartered at the Willis Tower in Chicago, Illinois. United operates a large domestic and international route network spanning cities large and small across the United States and all six inhabited continents. Measured by fleet size and the number of routes, it is the third-largest airline in the world after its merger with Continental Airlines in 2010.

United has eight hubs, with Chicago–O'Hare being its largest in terms of passengers carried and the number of departures. It is a founding member of the Star Alliance, the world's largest airline alliance with a total of 28 member airlines. Regional service is operated by independent carriers under the brand name United Express. The United brand name was established by the amalgamation of several airlines in the late 1920s, the oldest of these being Varney Air Lines, which was founded in 1926.

In 1927, William Boeing founded Boeing Air Transport to operate air mail routes under contract with the United States Post Office Department. In 1929, Boeing merged his company with Pratt & Whitney to form the United Aircraft and Transport Corporation (UATC) which then set about buying, in the space of just 28 months, Pacific Air Transport, Stout Air Services, VAL, and National Air Transport, as well as numerous equipment manufacturers at the same time. On March 28, 1931, UATC formed United Air Lines, Inc., as a holding company for its airline subsidiaries

United Airlines Fleet

As of July 2022, United Airlines operated a fleet of 841 aircraft with an additional 544 aircraft planned or on order[needs update]; all of which are either Boeing or Airbus.

Cabin

A Polaris seat on a Boeing 777-300ER

Premium Plus seats on a Boeing 787-8

Economy Plus seats on a Boeing 767-300ER

New slimline economy seats on an Airbus A320-200


United Polaris Business Polaris is United's international business class product. The Polaris seat converts into a 6' 6" flatbed, and boasts multiple storage areas, mood lighting, multiple charging ports, lumbar support, and improved dining and amenity services.

The modern Polaris seats can be found on all Boeing 767-300ERs, Boeing 777-300ERs, and Boeing 787 Dreamliners, and internationally configured Boeing 777-200ERs, and are being rolled out on the Boeing 767-400ER. On these aircraft, the cabins are configured to provide aisle access to every passenger, with 767s featuring a 1-1-1 seat configuration while 777s and 787s have a 1-2-1 seat configuration. Boeing 757-200s and most 767-400ERs feature United's older BusinessFirst seats with Polaris branding, with a 2-2 seat configuration on the 757s and 2-1-2 configuration on the 767-400ERs.

Polaris passengers check in at separate counters and can use priority security screening where available. In-flight services include pre-departure beverages, table linens and multi-course meals designed in partnership with Charlie Trotter-affiliated chefs via the airline's partnership with the Trotter Project. Passengers are also given priority with boarding and baggage handling and access to the United Polaris Lounge where available, as well as the United Club and partner airline lounges. All Polaris Business seats recline 180 degrees into a full flatbed, all seats face forward.

Other domestic routes, especially hub-to-hub service and certain non "United p.s." transcontinental flights, may see internationally configured aircraft with Polaris seating for operational reasons (such as transferring international aircraft from one hub to another or high demand). While the physical seats and entertainment are the same as on international flights, the service, catering and other amenities are the same as in domestic first class. Unlike routes marketed as United Business, these flights are eligible for complimentary premier upgrades.

United Premium Plus
Premium Plus is United's premium economy product, featured on most widebody international aircraft. Premium Plus seating offers more space, comfort and amenities compared to United Economy or Economy Plus, and offers upgraded dining on china dinnerware, free alcoholic beverages, a Saks Fifth Avenue blanket and pillow, an amenity kit and more. The first aircraft with these seats were flying in mid-2018, and the full service launched in 2019. During the interim period, these seats were sold as part of Economy Plus.

These seats can be found on almost all widebody aircraft with Polaris seats, with a 2-2-2 seat configuration on Boeing 767s, 2-3-2 on 787s, and 2-4-2 on 777s.

Domestic routes, especially hub-to-hub service may see internationally configured aircraft with United Premium Plus seating for operational reasons. Premium Plus seats are sold as Economy Plus seats. While the physical seats and entertainment are the same as on international flights, the service catering and other amenities are the same as in Economy Plus.

Transcontinental
United premium transcontinental service is offered on transcontinental flights between Newark and Los Angeles or San Francisco and between Boston and San Francisco. Previously branded as p.s. (short for "Premium Service") when initially launched in 2004, through 2017, these flights utilize primarily Boeing 757-200s, with 180-degrees-flat Polaris seats. The premium cabin also features international-style catering, while all seats have access to inflight wi-fi, on-demand entertainment, and power outlets. Business-class passengers also have access to the United Club at Newark, Boston, Los Angeles, and San Francisco.

All premium transcontinental flights were moved from New York JFK to Newark Liberty Airport on October 25, 2015.

These routes are not eligible for Complimentary Premier upgrades, although MileagePlus members can upgrade using Regional Premier Upgrades, Global Premier Upgrades, or MileagePlus award miles.

United First
United First is offered on all domestically configured aircraft. When such aircraft are used on international services such as services to Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean (excluding Puerto Rico) destinations, this cabin is branded as United Business. United First seats on narrowbody aircraft have a 38-inch (97 cm) seat pitch, while re-configured domestic Boeing 777-200s feature fully-flat-bed seats that alternate facing forward and backwards, similar to the Polaris seats used on the Boeing 757-200s. Passengers receive priority boarding and baggage handling, pre-departure beverages, complimentary meals and separate check-in desks.

In 2015, United released its new domestic first-class seat design. The new leather seats feature cradling headrests, granite cocktail tables, and a tablet stand. These seats debuted on Airbus A319 and Airbus A320 aircraft, and were eventually rolled out on all domestic aircraft.

In 2019, it was announced that United was increasing first and business class seats "by 1,600" across all their aircraft in their fleet, to include the Bombardier CRJ550 for which United is the launch customer of.

Economy Plus
Economy Plus is available on all aircraft. Economy Plus seats are located in the front few rows and exit rows of the economy cabin and have 2 inches (5.1 cm) more recline and at least 5 to 6 inches (13 to 15 cm) of additional seat pitch totaling 4 to 7 inches (10 to 18 cm) of recline (aircraft dependent) and 35 to 37 inches (89 to 94 cm) of pitch. Economy Plus is complimentary for all MileagePlus Premier members. Premier 1K, Platinum and Gold members may select an Economy Plus seat when booking, while silver members can select an Economy Plus seat at check-in. It can also be purchased depending upon availability by other passengers. Prior to the merger between United and Continental, legacy United aircraft offered Economy Plus, while Continental aircraft did not. Following the merger, Economy Plus was rolled out across the combined fleet.

Economy
Economy Class is available on all aircraft, and usually have a pitch of 31 inches (30 inches on aircraft refurbished with Slimline seats, and 32 inches on Boeing 787s) and a recline of 2–5 inches. All economy seats feature an adjustable headrest and some form of entertainment, ranging from AVOD, inflight wi-fi, personal device entertainment, or DirecTV. Economy seats on Boeing 767, Boeing 777 (except domestic 777-200s), Boeing 787, and 757-200 aircraft feature a personal 7-inch (18 cm) touchscreen television at the back of each seat with United Private Screening. On Airbus A319, A320, Boeing 737, Boeing 757-300, and domestically configured Boeing 777 aircraft feature personal device entertainment and WiFi. Some Boeing 737 aircraft feature DirecTV.

Food and snacks are available for purchase on domestic, Caribbean, and some Latin America flights. These include snacks, fresh meals, and snack boxes, depending on flight time and distance. Meals are complimentary on all other international flights. Beverages and small snacks are complimentary in economy class on North America flights. Alcoholic beverages are available for purchase on North America flights but are complimentary on long-haul international flights. On flights where meals are served, a cocktail snack with a beverage is served shortly after takeoff, followed by a main course and dessert. Longer international flights feature a pre-arrival meal, which usually consists of a light breakfast or snack.

Basic Economy
Basic Economy is available on select routes. Intended to be United's lowest fare, Basic Economy fares provide most of the same inflight services and amenities with standard Economy Class. With Basic Economy, group/family seating, seat selection/upgrades and bringing full-sized carry-on bags are not allowed. When booking online, it is clearly marked - with a user prompt to confirm the user is booking a Basic Economy fare. Users also have the option to pay a small fee to upgrade their booking to a regular Economy. Also, certain MileagePlus and Premier member benefits are not available.

Hubs:



Chicago–O'Hare... United's hub for the Midwest and largest hub overall. United controls 47% of the market share in O'Hare, making it the largest carrier at the airport. United's corporate headquarters are also in Chicago.
Denver ...United's hub for the Rocky Mountain region of the United States. United has about 42% of the market share in Denver, making it the largest carrier at the airport. By number of flights it has become United's largest hub in 2021.
Guam... United's hub for flight routes in the Pacific region. United has about 98.8% of the market share at Guam International, making it the largest carrier at the airport.
Houston–Intercontinental... United's hub for the Southern United States and primary gateway to Latin America. United currently has about 78% of the seat share at IAH, making it the largest carrier at the airport. Former Continental Airlines hub.
Los Angeles...United's secondary hub for the West Coast and gateway to Asia and Australia. United has 15% of the market share at LAX, making it the third-largest carrier at the airport.
Newark...United's primary hub for the East Coast and gateway to Europe, while including other select flights to Latin America, Africa, and Asia. United has 68% of the market share at Newark, making it the largest carrier at the airport. Former Continental Airlines hub.
San Francisco...United's primary hub for the West Coast and gateway to Asia and Australia. United has about 46% of the market share at SFO, making it the largest carrier at the airport.
Washington–Dulles... United's secondary hub for the East Coast. United has about 65% of the market share at Washington Dulles, making it the largest carrier at the airport.

List of United Airlines destinations

Antigua and Barbuda Osbourn V. C. Bird International Airport
Argentina Buenos Aires Ministro Pistarini International Airport
Aruba Oranjestad Queen Beatrix International Airport
Australia Brisbane Brisbane Airport
Cairns Cairns Airport Terminated
Melbourne Melbourne Airport
Sydney Sydney Airport
Bahamas Nassau Lynden Pindling International Airport
Bahrain Manama Bahrain International Airport Terminated
Barbados Bridgetown Grantley Adams International Airport Seasonal
Belgium Brussels Brussels Airport
Belize Belize City Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport
Bermuda Hamilton L.F. Wade International Airport Seasonal
Bonaire Kralendijk Flamingo International Airport
Brazil Belo Horizonte Tancredo Neves International Airport Terminated Rio de Janeiro Rio de Janeiro/Galeão International Airport
São Paulo São Paulo/Guarulhos International Airport
Canada Calgary Calgary International Airport
Edmonton Edmonton International Airport
Halifax Halifax Stanfield International Airport Terminated
Montreal Montréal–Trudeau International Airport
Ottawa Ottawa Macdonald–Cartier International Airport
St. John's St. John's International Airport Terminated
Toronto Toronto Pearson International Airport
Vancouver Vancouver International Airport
Victoria Victoria International Airport Terminated
Cayman Islands Grand Cayman Owen Roberts International Airport
Chile Santiago Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport
China Beijing Beijing Capital International Airport
Chengdu Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport
Hangzhou Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport Terminated
Shanghai Shanghai Pudong International Airport
Xi'an Xi'an Xianyang International Airport Terminated
Colombia Bogotá El Dorado International Airport
Costa Rica Liberia Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport
San José Juan Santamaría International Airport
Croatia Dubrovnik Dubrovnik Airport Seasonal
Cuba Havana José Martí International Airport
Curaçao Willemstad Curaçao International Airport Seasonal
El Salvador San Salvador El Salvador International Airport
Federated States of Micronesia Chuuk Chuuk International Airport
Kosrae Kosrae International Airport
Pohnpei Pohnpei International Airport
Yap Yap International Airport
France Nice Nice Côte d'Azur Airport Seasonal
Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport
French Polynesia Papeete Faa'a International Airport
Germany Berlin Berlin Brandenburg Airport
Berlin Tegel Airport Airport Closed
Düsseldorf Düsseldorf Airport Terminated
Frankfurt Frankfurt Airport
Hamburg Hamburg Airport Terminated
Munich Munich Airport
Stuttgart Stuttgart Airport Terminated
Ghana Accra Kotoka International Airport
Greece Athens Athens International Airport Seasonal
Guatemala Guatemala City La Aurora International Airport
Haiti Port-au-Prince Toussaint Louverture International Airport Terminated
Honduras Roatán Juan Manuel Gálvez International Airport
San Pedro Sula Ramón Villeda Morales International Airport
Tegucigalpa Toncontín International Airport
Hong Kong Hong Kong Hong Kong International Airport
Kai Tak Airport Airport Closed
Iceland Reykjavik Keflavík International Airport Seasonal
India Bangalore Kempegowda International Airport
Delhi Indira Gandhi International Airport
Mumbai Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport
Ireland Dublin Dublin Airport
Shannon Shannon Airport Seasonal
Israel Tel Aviv Ben Gurion Airport
Italy Milan Milan Malpensa Airport
Naples Naples International Airport Seasonal
Rome Leonardo da Vinci–Fiumicino Airport
Venice Venice Marco Polo Airport Seasonal
Jamaica Montego Bay Sangster International Airport
Japan Fukuoka Fukuoka Airport
Hiroshima Hiroshima Airport Terminated
Nagoya Chubu Centrair International Airport
Nagoya Komaki Airport Terminated
Naha Naha Airport Terminated
Niigata Niigata Airport Terminated
Okayama Okayama Airport Terminated
Osaka Kansai International Airport
Sapporo New Chitose Airport Terminated
Sendai Sendai Airport Terminated
Tokyo Haneda Airport
Narita International Airport
Jordan Amman Amman International Airport
Kuwait Kuwait City Kuwait International Airport Terminated
Marshall Islands Kwajalein Bucholz Army Airfield
Majuro Marshall Islands International Airport
Mexico Acapulco Acapulco International Airport Terminated Cancún Cancún International Airport
Cozumel Cozumel International Airport
Guadalajara Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla International Airport
Ixtapa Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo International Airport Seasonal
León Bajío International Airport
Mazatlán Mazatlán International Airport Terminated
Mérida Mérida International Airport
Mexico City Mexico City International Airport
Monterrey Monterrey International Airport
Puerto Vallarta Lic. Gustavo Díaz Ordaz International Airport
San José del Cabo Los Cabos International Airport
Netherlands Amsterdam Amsterdam Airport Schiphol
New Zealand Auckland Auckland Airport
Nicaragua Managua Augusto C. Sandino International Airport Terminated
Nigeria Lagos Murtala Muhammed International Airport
Norway Bergen Bergen Flesland Airport Seasonal
Oslo Oslo Gardermoen Airport Terminated
Palau Koror Roman Tmetuchl International Airport
Panama Panama City Tocumen International Airport
Peru Lima Jorge Chávez International Airport
Philippines Manila Ninoy Aquino International Airport
Portugal Lisbon Lisbon Portela Airport
Ponta Delgada Ponta Delgada Airport Seasonal
Porto Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport Seasonal
Qatar Doha Hamad International Airport Terminated
Russia Moscow Domodedovo International Airport Terminated
Saint Lucia Saint Lucia Hewanorra International Airport
Singapore Singapore Changi Airport
Sint Maarten Philipsburg Princess Juliana International Airport
South Africa Cape Town Cape Town International Airport
Johannesburg O. R. Tambo International Airport
South Korea Seoul Gimpo International Airport Terminated
Incheon International Airport
Saudi Arabia Dhahran Dhahran International Airport Airport Closed
Jeddah King Abdulaziz International Airport Terminated
Riyadh King Khalid International Airport Terminated
Spain Barcelona Josep Tarradellas Barcelona–El Prat Airport
Madrid Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport
Malaga Malaga Airport Begins May 31, 2023
Palma de Mallorca Palma de Mallorca Airport Seasonal
Tenerife Tenerife South Airport Seasonal
St. Kitts and Nevis Saint Kitts Robert L. Bradshaw International Airport Seasonal
Sweden Stockholm Stockholm Arlanda Airport Seasonal
Resumes May 25, 2023
Switzerland Geneva Geneva Airport
Switzerland Zürich Zürich Airport
Taiwan Taipei Taoyuan International Airport
Thailand Bangkok Don Mueang International Airport Terminated
Suvarnabhumi Airport Terminated
Trinidad and Tobago Port of Spain Piarco International Airport
Turkey Istanbul Istanbul Atatürk Airport Airport Closed
Turks and Caicos Islands Providenciales Providenciales International Airport
United Arab Emirates Dubai Dubai International Airport Begins March 27, 2023
United Kingdom Belfast Belfast International Airport Terminated
Birmingham Birmingham Airport Terminated
Edinburgh Edinburgh Airport
Glasgow Glasgow Airport Terminated
London Heathrow Airport
Manchester Manchester Airport Terminated
Newcastle upon Tyne Newcastle Airport Terminated
United States (Alaska) Anchorage Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport
Fairbanks Fairbanks International Airport Seasonal
United States (Arizona) Phoenix Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport
Prescott Prescott Regional Airport
Tucson Tucson International Airport
United States (California) Burbank Bob Hope Airport
Fresno Fresno Yosemite International Airport
Los Angeles Los Angeles International Airport Hub
Oakland Oakland International Airport Terminated
Ontario Ontario International Airport
Orange County John Wayne Airport
Palm Springs Palm Springs International Airport
Sacramento Sacramento International Airport
San Diego San Diego International Airport
San Francisco San Francisco International Airport Hub
San Jose San Jose International Airport
Santa Barbara Santa Barbara Municipal Airport
United States (Colorado) Colorado Springs Colorado Springs Airport
Denver Denver International Airport Hub
Stapleton International Airport Airport Closed
Montrose Montrose Regional Airport Seasonal
Vail Eagle County Airport Seasonal
United States (Connecticut) Hartford Bradley International Airport
United States (Florida) Fort Lauderdale Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport
Fort Myers Southwest Florida International Airport
Jacksonville Jacksonville International Airport
Miami Miami International Airport
Orlando Orlando International Airport
Panama City, FL Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport Seasonal
Pensacola Pensacola International Airport
Sarasota Sarasota–Bradenton International Airport
Tampa Tampa International Airport
West Palm Beach Palm Beach International Airport
United States (Georgia) Atlanta Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport
Savannah Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport
United States (Guam) Hagåtña Antonio B. Won Pat International Airport Hub
United States (Hawaii) Hilo Hilo International Airport Ends January 7, 2023
Honolulu Daniel K. Inouye International Airport
Kahului Kahului Airport
Kona Kona International Airport
Lihue Lihue Airport
United States (Idaho) Boise Boise Airport
United States (Illinois) Chicago Chicago O'Hare International Airport Hub
Chicago Midway International Airport Terminated
United States (Indiana) Indianapolis Indianapolis International Airport
United States (Iowa) Cedar Rapids The Eastern Iowa Airport
Des Moines Des Moines International Airport
United States (Kansas) Wichita Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport
United States (Kentucky) Cincinnati/Covington Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport
Louisville Louisville International Airport
United States (Louisiana) New Orleans Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport
United States (Maine) Portland, ME Portland International Jetport
United States (Maryland) Baltimore Baltimore/Washington International Airport
United States (Massachusetts) Boston Logan International Airport
United States (Michigan) Detroit Detroit Metropolitan Airport
Grand Rapids Gerald R. Ford International Airport
Traverse City Cherry Capital Airport Seasonal
United States (Minnesota) Duluth Duluth International Airport Terminated
Minneapolis/St. Paul Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport
Rochester, MN Rochester International Airport Terminated
United States (Missouri) Kansas City Kansas City International Airport
St. Louis St. Louis Lambert International Airport
United States (Montana) Billings Billings Logan International Airport
Bozeman Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport
Kalispell Glacier Park International Airport
Missoula Missoula International Airport
United States (Nebraska) Omaha Eppley Airfield
United States (Nevada) Las Vegas Harry Reid International Airport
Reno Reno–Tahoe International Airport
United States (New Hampshire) Manchester, NH Manchester–Boston Regional Airport
United States (New Jersey) Newark Newark Liberty International Airport Hub
United States (New Mexico) Albuquerque Albuquerque International Sunport
United States (New York) Albany Albany International Airport
Buffalo Buffalo Niagara International Airport
New York City John F. Kennedy International Airport Terminated
LaGuardia Airport
Rochester, NY Greater Rochester International Airport
Syracuse Syracuse Hancock International Airport
United States (North Carolina) Charlotte Charlotte/Douglas International Airport
Greensboro Piedmont Triad International Airport
Raleigh Raleigh–Durham International Airport
Wilmington Wilmington International Airport
United States (Northern Mariana Islands) Saipan Francisco C. Ada International Airport
United States (Ohio) Cleveland Cleveland Hopkins International Airport
Columbus John Glenn Columbus International Airport
Dayton Dayton International Airport Terminated
United States (Oklahoma) Oklahoma City Will Rogers World Airport
Tulsa Tulsa International Airport
United States (Oregon) Eugene Eugene Airport
Medford Rogue Valley International–Medford Airport
Portland, OR Portland International Airport
Redmond/Bend Roberts Field
United States (Pennsylvania) Harrisburg Harrisburg International Airport
Philadelphia Philadelphia International Airport
Pittsburgh Pittsburgh International Airport
United States (Puerto Rico) Aguadilla Rafael Hernández Airport
San Juan Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport
United States (Rhode Island) Providence Rhode Island T. F. Green International Airport Seasonal
United States (South Carolina) Charleston Charleston International Airport
Myrtle Beach Myrtle Beach International Airport Seasonal
United States (South Dakota) Rapid City Rapid City Regional Airport Seasonal
Sioux Falls Sioux Falls Regional Airport
United States (Tennessee) Knoxville McGhee Tyson Airport
Memphis Memphis International Airport
Nashville Nashville International Airport
United States (Texas) Austin Austin–Bergstrom International Airport
Dallas/Fort Worth Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport
El Paso El Paso International Airport Seasonal
Houston George Bush Intercontinental Airport Hub
McAllen McAllen Miller International Airport
Midland/Odessa Midland International Air and Space Port
San Antonio San Antonio International Airport
United States (U.S. Virgin Islands) Saint Thomas Cyril E. King Airport Seasonal
United States (Utah) Salt Lake City Salt Lake City International Airport
United States (Vermont) Burlington Burlington International Airport Seasonal
United States (Virginia) Newport News Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport Terminated
Norfolk Norfolk International Airport
Richmond Richmond International Airport
Washington, D.C. Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport
Washington Dulles International Airport Hub
United States (Washington) Everett Paine Field Terminated
Seattle Seattle–Tacoma International Airport
Spokane Spokane International Airport
United States (Wisconsin) Madison Dane County Regional Airport
Milwaukee Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport
United States (Wyoming) Jackson Hole Jackson Hole Airport Seasonal
Uruguay Montevideo Carrasco International Airport Terminated
Venezuela Caracas Simón Bolívar International Airport Terminated
Vietnam Ho Chi Minh City Tan Son Nhat International Airport Terminated