United Airlines, founded on April 6 1926, is an American airline headquartered at the Willis Tower in Chicago. The airline operates an extensive domestic and the international route network spanning cities across the United States. It is the third-largest airline company in the world.

The airline company has eight hubs. Chicago-O’Hare is the largest in terms of passengers carried and the total number of departures. The airline company commenced its operations on March 28 1931. The airline company is also the founding member of Star Alliance, the largest airline company with a total of 28 member airlines. Independent carriers also operate the regional service under United Express.

History

This Airline Company traces its roots to Varney Airlines, which was founded in the year 1926.

William Boeing was the one who founded Boeing Air Transport to operate the mail routes in 1927 under contract with the United States Post Office Department. Boeing merged this company with Pratt and Whitney in 1929.

In December 2002, there was a significant drop in post-9/11 air travel, and there were poor relations between corporation and one of its crucial labor unions. Then, the airline company filed for bankruptcy. It also remained under court protection for more than three years, enabling it to cut costs ruthlessly. In 2006, it also emerged from court protections and resumed all standard operations.

Continental Airlines and United had preliminary discussions in 2006. These discussions resumed on April 16 2010. United and Continental merged the passenger service systems on March 2 2012. The parent company’s name changed from the United Continental Holdings to United Airlines Holdings on June 27 2019.

The Chief executive, Scott Kirby, proposed the possibility for the company to mandate the employees to receive the COVID-19 vaccine in January 2021. This company was the first US airline to announce the vaccine mandate for all the staff on August 6.

Destinations and hubs

This airline operates flights to 238 domestic and around 118 international destinations. It operates in 48 countries and across five continents.

Hubs

United currently operates eight hubs such as below-

Fleet

United Airlines operates a fleet of around 841 aircraft as of July 2022. It also has an additional 544 aircraft planned. All of these aircraft are either Airbus or Boeing.

Fleet Strategy

American Airlines announced on July 20 2011, for 460 narrow-body jets. It also included 260 Airbus A320s. The contract also included a clause requiring Airbus to refund to America any difference between the price paid by America and the price paid by United.

United also planned to replace its 51 Boeing 767s in a $14 billion deal. United also announced the confirmation of a deal with Boom Supersonic on June 3 2021. The deal included a clause to purchase at least 15 of their Overture supersonic airliners. It was also decided that these aircrafts will be flown on 100% sustainable fuels. The aircraft is also intended to enter service with United in the year 2029.

Cabin United Polar Business

Polaris seat converts into a 6’6’’ flatbed and it also boasts of multiple storage areas, lumbar support, improved dining and amenity services. These seats can be found on all the Boeing 767-300ERs, Boeing 787 Dreamliners, Boeing 777-300ERs.

The cabins are also configured to provide the aisle access to every passenger with 767s Boeing featuring a 1-1-1 seat configuration. The 77Ss and the 787s have a 1-2-1 seat configuration.

The Polaris passengers check in at a separate counters. You can also use priority security screening. The in-flight services include all the pre-departure beverages, multi-course meals and the table linens.