united airlines

Tag Archives for united airlines.

United Announced A Chicago “Line In The Sand” Meant To Prevent New Flights — American Just Added Routes Anyway

by Gary Leff on January 22, 2026

Jan 22 2026

United’s CEO Scott Kirby went out of his way on the earnings call to “draw a line in the sand” in Chicago—promising United will add flights to match any American expansion at O’Hare. The point of saying it publicly wasn’t bravado. It was deterrence: to signal to American (and to analysts) that new Chicago capacity will be met in kind, making growth less attractive for both airlines.

American’s response came fast anyway, announcing new routes from O’Hare—turning Kirby’s game-theory warning into an immediate test of whether this becomes a real fare war or a negotiation by headline.

United Adding More Widebody Planes Than Any US Airline Since 1988 — Here Is Who Did More

by Gary Leff on January 22, 2026

Jan 22 2026

United made a big claim in its latest earnings update: in 2026 it expects to take delivery of roughly 20 Boeing 787s—more widebody aircraft in a single year than any U.S. carrier has taken since 1988. The “since 1988” reference isn’t random; it points to one standout widebody delivery spree that still hasn’t been surpassed.

United 737 Runs Off Runway in Houston—Union Coaches Pilot While Passengers Evacuate: “Don’t Say Another Word”

by Gary Leff on January 17, 2026

Jan 17 2026

A United 737 MAX ran off the runway after landing in Houston, and the newly released incident report includes cockpit voice recorder audio from the aftermath. In the recording, the captain calls ALPA while passengers are still evacuating and is told not to “say another word,” then coached on what to do next—raising uncomfortable questions about how quickly self-protection can take priority even while the situation is still unfolding.

Vasu Raja Heads to United to Fix Inflight Ads—But the Story Everyone Tells About His Time at American Is Wrong

by Gary Leff on January 15, 2026

Jan 15 2026

Vasu Raja is headed to United to work on monetizing passengers through inflight advertising, but that’s not the part of this story most people are getting wrong. The real mistake is the narrative about his tenure at American: he became the face of a broader strategy signed off at the top, and American’s ongoing struggles long outlasted— and outgrew —the distribution fight he was blamed for.

Engine Problems Are Forcing United To Park Some Boeing 777s—And The Government Could Restrict Long Overwater Flights

by Gary Leff on January 13, 2026

Jan 13 2026

United is storing Pratt-powered Boeing 777s because engines and parts are scarce. More incidents could cause certification issues, with significant affects on United’s ability to fly long haul.

United And American Add Carlsbad Flights — California Responds: Who’s Your Lawyer?

by Gary Leff on January 12, 2026

Jan 12 2026

United and American are bringing Embraer E175 service to Carlsbad, and the local response is the most California thing imaginable: lawsuits demanding a land-use veto and CEQA review. Federal law makes it nearly impossible to block airline service at a public use airport, but that won’t stop activists and city hall from making it expensive and annoying anyway.

United Airlines Puts the Union Contract Tradeoff in Writing for Flight Attendants — Ground Pay Tied to “Algorithm Scheduling” and Reserve Pay Cuts

by Gary Leff on January 9, 2026

Jan 09 2026

United Airlines’ latest update to flight attendants makes the trade explicit: the union’s new pay proposal is “too expensive,” and anything better than the rejected deal will require offsets. United hints it can move on ground-time pay and shorter reserve windows—but only if flight attendants accept “algorithm scheduling” and reserve pay changes.

71% Of United Flight Attendants Rejected a Deal—Now They’re Demanding Immediate Pay Increases Anyway

by Gary Leff on January 7, 2026

Jan 07 2026

United flight attendants voted down a union-endorsed contract by 71% after five years without a raise—and now the union is demanding pay increases immediately, before a new deal is negotiated. United is pushing back, arguing that any added pay or “quality of life” improvements have to come as part of a full contract package with tradeoffs on work rules.

Passenger Went Pantsless On United Flight To Orlando, And Nobody Stopped It

by Gary Leff on January 5, 2026

Jan 05 2026

A United passenger on a flight to Orlando reportedly took off his pants as soon as he reached his economy seat, leaving fellow travelers wondering why no one intervened. United can refuse transport for passengers who are not properly clothed, but in the cramped, dirty reality of coach, comfort and basic decorum keep colliding.

United Airlines Regional Jet Had A Near Miss After Takeoff In Houston—Another Jet Turned Directly Into Its Path

by Gary Leff on December 28, 2025

Dec 28 2025

A United Airlines regional jet departing Houston got an automated collision warning seconds after takeoff when another aircraft on the parallel runway turned the wrong way into its departure path. The crews were still low and close enough that the United flight reported a TCAS resolution advisory, the last line of defense designed to prevent midair collisions.