United

United Airlines (ICAO: UAL) is a major global airline headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, with a rich history tracing its origins to the founding of Varney Air Lines in 1926. The airline officially formed in 1931 as a subsidiary of United Aircraft and Transport Corporation, before gaining independence in 1934 following the Air Mail scandal. In 2010, United merged with Continental Airlines, further solidifying its position in the aviation industry.

United operates an extensive network with major U.S. hubs at Chicago–O'Hare (ORD), Denver (DEN), Houston–Intercontinental (IAH), Los Angeles (LAX), Newark-Liberty (EWR), San Francisco (SFO), and Washington–Dulles (IAD). It also maintains an international hub in Guam (GUM). As of October 2025, United boasts one of the world's largest mainline fleets, comprising 1,055 aircraft. The fleet is a mix of Airbus (A319, A320, A321neo, A321XLR, A350-900) and Boeing (737, 757, 767, 777, 787 series) aircraft, with a strong emphasis on Boeing wide-body jets. United's route network is global, serving 395 destinations across six continents and operating the most comprehensive global route network among North American carriers. Regional services are managed under the United Express brand. United is a founding member of the Star Alliance, a global network of 25 airlines that extends its reach to over 1,160 airports in 192 countries. For passengers, United offers various cabin classes including United Polaris, United First, United Business, United Premium Plus, Economy Plus, United Economy, and Basic Economy.