United Airlines has agreed a major investment in its hub at Houston Airport (IAH) with its Terminal B Transformation Program. The project will see the construction of 40 new gates for both domestic and international travel. "This investment further supports United's position as Houston Airport carrier of choice," said Phil Griffith, United's VP of IAH. The Terminal B transformation includes expanding curbside and roadway capacity, along with expanding the ticketing lobby. The third floor is expected to house a streamlined security processing area. Once through security, the New Terminal B North expansion comprises two new passenger concourses. The Terminal B North Concourse, measuring 765,000 square feet over three levels, will house 22 narrow-body gates. A large United Club at the mezzanine level will offer views of the airfield. It is set to become the largest United Club. The Terminal B South Concourse project involves converting 30 gates that currently house smaller, 50-seat regional jets to accommodate larger jets. All United flights at Houston Airport will then be boarded via jet bridge. The concourse design is expected to feature amenities like a sensory room, a multimedia interactive United-branded "park," and comfort zones for passengers with disabilities. The project will also include two major concessions hubs, offering 115,000 square feet of food and retail space. The baggage claim hall will be expanded with a new baggage handling system, equipped with advanced baggage tracking technology. "This redevelopment will bring nearly 3,000 new jobs to Houston. The bigger domestic terminal will amplify Houston's reputation as a premier destination," said Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner. United Airlines expects to invest more than $1.9 billion in the Terminal B Transformation Program and the City of Houston will fund $624 million in enabling projects required for the program. 

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United Airlines is predicting a bumper Thanksgiving holiday period for travel. It forecasts passenger traffic will surpass pre-pandemic 2019 levels by around 5% and up 13% on a year ago. From the long Thanksgiving period between November 17 to November 29, United expects to carry about 5.9 million passengers. It has added about 550,000 seats to meet demand. United will operate an average of 3,900 flights per day, it says. It predicts the Sunday after Thanksgiving Day, November 26, will be the busiest day of the holiday period. In fact, the airline says it will be the busiest since before the pandemic. It is expecting over half a million flying that day.  

United Airlines it will offer more winter Florida flights than ever before. It is growing its winter schedule by nearly 20% compared to last year with more Florida flights to destinations including Miami, Tampa and Orlando. It will also fly larger planes with more seat capacity. For the first time in the company's history, United will fly mainline aircraft and nearly double the amount of seats between Key West International Airport and several United Hub airports. These include Chicago O'Hare, Washington Dulles, Houston, and Newark/New York. According to new search and booking data from United.com, Miami and Orlando are two of the top five most-searched domestic travel destinations this winter. United will fly one of its newest planes – the Airbus 321neo – on select routes to Fort Lauderdale, Orlando and Fort Myers, FL beginning in December. The company recently announced the purchase of 60 additional Airbus 321neos, with deliveries beginning in 2028. "We know that November is when most people start their winter travel planning so we're adding these flights to give customers more options," said Mark Weithofer, United's MD of Domestic Network Planning. "We've already begun to see record demand." Tickets are now available for purchase on the United app or on United.com. United will fly the Boeing 777 aircraft between Chicago and Orlando, which offers more than double the seats of a narrow body aircraft. United will increase the number of flights it operates between key routes including Chicago-Fort Myers, Denver-Fort Lauderdale, and Chicago-Miami.

United Airlines launched its international winter flights schedule with an addition of 50 daily flights. Highlights include the first direct Manila flights from the continental US by an American carrier. United is also the only airline flying between the US and Christchurch, New Zealand, starting this December. United will also be the first US airline to return to Beijing when service from San Francisco resumes on November 9. In total, the airline will fly to more than 110 international destinations. It represents a 25% increase versus last year, and the largest winter expansion in its history. Other new Asia Pacific flights include Auckland, Brisbane, Hong Kong, and Tokyo/Narita. There will be daily service to Beijing and Shanghai and extended service to Athens, Barcelona, Rome and Paris. Tickets are on sale on United's mobile app and united.com. "We continue to find new ways to bring our customers the locations and schedules they want," said Patrick Quayle, United's SVP of Global Network Planning. Due to big demand United’s transpacific schedule of Asia Pacific flights is 94% larger this winter. It marks the addition of 15 daily non-stop flights across the Pacific region. It is the largest South Pacific expansion in history, adding over 40% more flights to Australia/New Zealand for winter. It adds up to 66 flights per week.

United Airlines will fly its largest ever transatlantic flight schedule for summer 2024. It includes the first and only nonstop flights between New York/Newark-Faro and new flights to Reykjavik, Brussels, Rome and Malaga. The airline also brings back nine of its most popular seasonal routes to Portugal, Italy, France and Spain. United continues to be the only airline to directly connect the US with Dubrovnik, Malaga, Mallorca and Tenerife. "We're now giving our customers even more flexibility and choice when planning their trips abroad," said Patrick Quayle, United's SVP of global network planning and alliances. United’s new summer transatlantic flight schedule is on sale now at United.com Beginning May 24, United will be the first and only airline to directly connect the US and Faro, Portugal. New service from New York/Newark will operate four times a week on a Boeing 757-200. United currently has an existing year-round service between New York/Newark-Lisbon, as well as seasonal service between Washington/Dulles-Lisbon, New York/Newark-Porto and New York/Newark-Ponta Delgada, Azores. From May 23, United will resume seasonal transatlantic flights to Reykjavik from New York/Newark for the first time since summer 2022. The flight will operate daily on a Boeing 757-200. Additional flights to top destinations in Europe include a second daily flight to Brussels, starting March 30 and a second daily between Washington/Dulles-Rome, starting May 23. United will also increase New York/Newark-Malaga to daily service on May 2.

United Airlines has confirmed a large aircraft order for 110 more planes. United will start taking delivery of them from 2028. The airline converted previous options and purchase rights into firm orders for 50 Boeing 787-9s for delivery between 2028 through 2031, as well as 60 Airbus A321neos for delivery between 2028 and 2030. The company also secured new options for up to 50 more Boeing 787s. It also has purchase rights for an additional 40 A321neo aircraft. "This order takes our already successful United Next plan into the next decade and beyond," said United CEO Scott Kirby. "I'm convinced our strategy is the right one as we continue to add new, larger aircraft to take full advantage of our growing flying opportunities." United expects to take delivery of about 800 new aircraft by the end of 2032. A key component of the aircraft order is flying larger planes and increasing available seats. In 2019, United averaged 104 seats per North American departure. By 2027, United expects that number to jump more than 40% to over 145. United now has 180 A321neo and over 370 737 Max aircraft on firm order through 2030. United's latest aircraft order can be used for fleet growth or replacement, depending on demand and the economic climate, it says. The 50 incremental 787-9s that United ordered will allow the airline to further simplify its international fleet. United now has 150 Boeing 787s on firm order – more than any airline in the world. The new aircraft will also help to reduce United's per-seat carbon emissions compared to the older models they replace. United expects that 75% of its fleet will be new-generation by 2030.

United Airlines today announced new initiatives to improve the travel experience for wheelchair passengers. It includes a new digital filter on united.com that helps determine which aircraft can accommodate different sized chairs. United will refund the fare difference if a higher-fare flight is needed to accommodate a specific wheelchair size. United will launch these new tools for wheelchair passengers early next year. "By offering customers an easy way to know if their wheelchair fits, we can give them the peace of mind when they fly with us," said Linda Jojo, Chief Customer Officer for United. "Plus, collecting this information ahead of time ensures our team can handle these special items with proper care." The new flight filter allows customers to enter the unique dimensions of their personal wheelchair as part of the flight search. The search results will then prioritize flight options on aircraft with cargo hold doors large enough to accommodate the wheelchair dimensions. Aircraft cargo hold doors vary on different aircraft. Later this year United will begin a six-month pilot program at George Bush Houston Airport to explore ways to better accommodate customers if their wheelchair is damaged or delayed. The program will focus on the timeframe between a customer's arrival and when United returns the wheelchair or provides an appropriate loan wheelchair if the original is damaged. United will collaborate with its Accessible Travel Advisory Board to explore several options to improve the airport experience. United carried about 150,000 wheelchairs in 2022. United's recent measures to improve accessibility include providing ramp agents new mobile technology  to ensure they are prepared to receive and load a wheelchair. Last month United became the first U.S. airline to add Braille signage to aircraft interiors. Additionally, the United mobile app was recently redesigned to make it easier to use for people with visual disabilities.

A United Airlines flight headed for Rome turned back to Newark after dropping a massive 28,000 feet in altitude. It dropped over 28,000 feet in 10 minutes, the airline said. Officially, it returned to the airport due to a ‘pressurization issue.’ The Boeing 777 bound for Rome–Fiumicino Airport was carrying 270 passengers. It landed safely back at Newark and passengers were transferred to another aircraft. They completed their journey without incident. The original plane was taken out of service ‘to address a possible loss of cabin pressure.’

 

New 35,000 sq.-ft. United Club^SM at Denver International Airport debuts as the airline's largest club, coinciding with the airline's nearly $1 billion investment to improve the customer experience in Denver

 

By the end of 2025, Denver International Airport will feature over 100,000 sq.-ft. of United Club space to accommodate more than double the number of travelers compared to previous club spaces

  United today announced the opening of its largest United Club at Denver International Airport. This new, 35,000 sq.-ft. club is located in the B Concourse, providing a modern take on the United Club experience with a new feature bar offering beer flight boards to taste a seasonal rotation of premium local and craft beers. This club is the second in a series of new locations to open in Denver this summer; last month, a new 24,000 sq.-ft. United Club opened in the A Concourse, featuring a luxurious ski lodge aesthetic and thoughtful design touches inspired by the Colorado outdoors.   The air carrier will open an additional revamped club location in 2025, and once open, Denver International Airport will feature more than 100,000 sq.-ft. of United Club space – nearly the size of two football fields – across three United Club locations and United Club Fly, a unique grab-and-go concept offering enhanced food and beverage for United Club members with quick connections. With more than two-thirds of United customers connecting to other places in Denver, the new clubs are expected to accommodate more than double the number of travelers than before.   The opening of these new clubs comes on the heels of United unveiling a new club concept, United Club Fly^SM, in Denver last year, that is a first-of-its-kind concept for a U.S. airline. Since opening, United Club Fly has been visited by more than 100,000 travelers who've enjoyed the elevated convenience to grab food or beverages on the way to their flight.   "The new United Club locations are designed and operated to reflect feedback from our customers and match the way their travel has evolved in recent years," said Alexander Dorow, United's Head of Clubs & Lounges. "We're growing our hub in the Mile High City, and the expansion and renovation of United Club locations represents our commitment to Colorado and our customers' experience."   B Concourse United Club   Located on the eastern side in the B Concourse near gate B44, this new club location touts 35,000 sq.-ft. across three levels and more than 600 seats, making it the largest club in United's network. The space reflects Denver's beer scene with brewery-inspired elements and a new beer tasting experience at the feature bar on the mezzanine level. At the feature bar, travelers can choose from a seasonal rotation of 10 local and craft beers on tap, with selections from Colorado breweries New Belgium, Great Divide, Denver Beer Company, Upslope, among others, to enjoy from United customized tasting boards and beer glasses. The feature bar area is distinguished by five Vestaboards displaying personalized messages and menu offerings and a custom, vibrant blue mural by visual artist Charlo Garcia Walterbach that explores the joy and discovery of new places that travel brings to life.   Inspired by Denver's urban areas, the space features details such as concrete flooring, hand-crafted decor and exposed ceilings for a sleek and modern design. Throughout the space, guests can enjoy a variety of locally-sourced furnishings and artwork, including photography, paintings, sculptures and murals that reflect the Denver community. The entryway features a sculpture inspired by the cones of the Colorado Blue Spruce. Made by Will Schlough, the piece is crafted from dozens of skateboards meant to resemble colorful pinecones. An additional statement mural by local artists, Jaime Molina and Pedro Barrios, tells the story of Denver through highly-visual, street art inspired geometric shapes.   A Concourse United Club   Influenced by the Colorado Rocky Mountains, travelers visiting the new club location on the western side of the A Concourse near gate A26 can experience a sense of place among locally-sourced furniture and decor that reflects Colorado's outdoor landscapes and experiences. Designed to feel like a ski lodge, two fireplace lounges, stacked wood, flannel patterned cushions and vintage ski decor make travelers feel like they're nestled deep in the woods on a Colorado retreat.   This 24,000 sq.-ft club offers two premium bars and 400 seats across two levels of club space. There's room to grab food and drinks, play a few rounds of shuffleboard in the game lounge or relax near the fireplaces.   The space features hand-crafted, custom artwork from local artists, including a sculptural installation from Colorado-based artist Amy Hoagland that uses glass rods to form a topographic-inspired piece that creates an optical illusion from different vantage points. A custom 'Come Fly With Us' mural by Denver-based multidisciplinary designer Adam Vicarel is prominently displayed in the club's game lounge, and it showcases a combination of colors and shapes that exemplify travel and the Colorado landscape. Additional local artwork includes a glass sculpture, mixed media collages, photographs and paintings inspired by Colorado nature.   Both club locations include enhanced amenities, such as free high-speed Wi-Fi, self-scan entry gates for seamless club access, agent on demand kiosks for any travel planning questions and wellness rooms. Each club also serves premium culinary offerings with local flair, including oatmeal paired with Colorado honey, egg frittata inspired by the Denver omelet (ham, bell peppers, red onion, spinach and cheddar cheese), Colorado Club sandwiches and pork green chili.   This expansion is part of the carrier's nearly $1 billion investment to further improve the customer experience in Denver. Earlier this year, United announced new non-stops to six destinations including four not served by any other Denver airline and local infrastructure improvements such as 12 new gates set to open in the A and B concourses by the middle of 2024 – giving United 90 total gates, the most at Denver International Airport.