United Airlines, with ICAO code UAL, stands as a prominent American carrier with a rich history and an expansive global presence.
United Air Lines was formed in 1931 as a subsidiary of United Aircraft and Transport Corporation, bringing together several early airlines, including Varney Air Lines, which was founded in 1926 and which United adopts as its founding date. The airline quickly expanded, introducing the modern Boeing 247 in 1933, and after World War II, capitalized on the aviation boom, merging with Capital Airlines in 1961 to briefly become the world's second-largest airline. Further significant expansion occurred through the acquisition of Pan American World Airways' Pacific route authority in 1985 and its London Heathrow operation in 1991, followed by a major merger with Continental Airlines in 2010, which formed one of the world's largest carriers.
Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, United Airlines operates a robust hub-and-spoke system with primary hubs strategically located across the United States. These include Chicago–O'Hare (ORD), Denver (DEN), Houston–Intercontinental (IAH), Los Angeles (LAX), Newark Liberty (EWR), San Francisco (SFO), and Washington–Dulles (IAD). Additionally, Guam serves as an important hub for Pacific and Asia connections. The airline operates an extensive domestic and international route network, serving 227 domestic and 153 international destinations in 76 countries as of November 2025. United boasts the largest and most diversified international route network among U.S. airlines, connecting to more than 350-383 destinations across six continents. United is also a founding member of the Star Alliance, the world's largest airline alliance, which further extends its global reach.
United Airlines' fleet is one of the largest globally, consisting of over 1,000 mainline aircraft as of October 2025, with an average age of 15.5 years. The fleet comprises a mix of Airbus narrow-body aircraft (A319, A320, A321neo) and Boeing narrow-body (737, 757) and wide-body aircraft (767, 777, 787 Dreamliner). As part of its "United Next" strategy, the airline is modernizing and expanding its fleet with significant orders for over 500 narrow-body jets and 150 Boeing 787 Dreamliners, aiming to enhance the passenger experience with features like seatback entertainment, Bluetooth connectivity, power outlets, and larger overhead bins. Notable cabin classes offered include United Polaris (international business class with lie-flat seats), United First, United Business, United Premium Plus (offering larger seats, deeper recline, and upgraded meals), and Economy Plus for extra legroom. The airline also operates the MileagePlus frequent-flyer program and offers various lounge experiences, including the Polaris Lounge.
Traveler reviews for United Airlines show a mixed but improving sentiment, with specific aspects frequently highlighted. The overall average rating on Flight-report is 6.9/10, indicating good service.
What Travelers Love:
Common Complaints:
Overall, traveler sentiment towards United Airlines is mixed. While the airline has made strides in areas like its digital experience and premium offerings, consistent issues with customer service and operational disruptions continue to be a source of dissatisfaction. United achieved its highest second-quarter NPS score since the pandemic and the lowest second-quarter cancellation rate in the company's history in 2024, reflecting an improvement in customer experience and operations. However, Skytrax certifies United as a 3-Star Airline, indicating an average quality of airport and onboard product and staff service.
United Airlines maintains a commitment to safety, though like any major airline, it experiences incidents. In early 2024, United made national headlines due to a string of incidents, including a loss of a rear tire during takeoff, a panel going missing mid-air, hydraulic system issues, and an engine fire. The airline's CEO, Scott Kirby, acknowledged these "unrelated" incidents and stated that the airline was reviewing its safety training. Aviation experts, however, emphasize that such occurrences are common across the industry and do not necessarily indicate a systemic safety issue for United, asserting that American aviation remains the safest means of travel globally. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has announced increased scrutiny of the carrier following these incidents.
United Airlines, as a major U.S. carrier, operates under the stringent regulatory oversight of the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration). While explicit mentions of IOSA (IATA Operational Safety Audit) or being on an EU safety list were not found in the provided search results, compliance with FAA regulations generally implies adherence to high safety standards. United's commitment to safety is further demonstrated by its participation in initiatives such as the Green Cross for Safety Innovation Award from the National Safety Council and the Silver Safety Award for excellence in employee safety and health at locations like Green Bay Austin Straubel International Airport.
The average age of United's mainline fleet is around 15.5 years as of October 2025, with some older Boeing 767s and 777s having mean ages over 20 years. However, United is actively modernizing its fleet through the "United Next" strategy, with significant orders for new Airbus A320neo family jets and Boeing 737 MAX and 787 Dreamliner aircraft, which will lower the overall fleet age and incorporate advanced safety features. While some traveler reviews have expressed concerns about maintenance leading to delays, the airline's technical operations team at facilities like the one in San Francisco employs thousands of technicians for engine overhauls and airframe docking, indicating a substantial investment in maintenance.
Overall, based on available data, United Airlines operates within a highly regulated and generally safe aviation environment. Despite a recent cluster of incidents that garnered media attention, aviation experts generally view these as isolated events common to large-scale operations rather than indicative of a fundamental safety lapse. The airline has received recognitions for its safety culture and humanitarian efforts, including the inaugural Humanitarian Force for Good Award at the 50th Annual Air Transport World (ATW) Airline Industry Awards in 2025.
| Route | Destination | Flights | Distance | Aircraft | Last Seen |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MTJ → DEN |
Denver Intl
Denver
|
247 | 196 mi | A319 | Dec 10, 2025 |
| EGE → DEN |
Denver Intl
Denver
|
222 | 120 mi | B38M | Dec 10, 2025 |
| JAC → DEN |
Denver Intl
Denver
|
196 | 406 mi | A320 | Dec 11, 2025 |
| FCA → DEN |
Denver Intl
Denver
|
188 | 753 mi | B738 | Dec 10, 2025 |
| RAP → DEN |
Denver Intl
Denver
|
186 | 301 mi | A320 | Dec 7, 2025 |
| PBI → EWR |
Newark Liberty Intl
Newark
|
171 | 1027 mi | B38M | Dec 10, 2025 |
| GTF → DEN |
Denver Intl
Denver
|
167 | 624 mi | A319 | Dec 1, 2025 |
| MSO → DEN |
Denver Intl
Denver
|
162 | 679 mi | B39M | Dec 10, 2025 |
| SBA → SFO |
San Francisco Int'l
San Francisco
|
141 | 262 mi | B738 | Dec 9, 2025 |
| BZN → DEN |
Denver Intl
Denver
|
139 | 558 mi | A320 | Dec 10, 2025 |
| SBA → DEN |
Denver Intl
Denver
|
132 | 915 mi | B738 | Dec 9, 2025 |
| SAT → IAH |
Houston Bush Int'ctl
Houston
|
130 | 217 mi | B738 | Dec 11, 2025 |
| EWR → IAH |
Houston Bush Int'ctl
Houston
|
128 | 1400 mi | B39M | Dec 11, 2025 |
| IAH → ORD |
Chicago O'Hare Intl
Chicago
|
124 | 995 mi | B39M | Dec 9, 2025 |
| MSN → ORD |
Chicago O'Hare Intl
Chicago
|
122 | 109 mi | B738 | Dec 11, 2025 |
| TVC → ORD |
Chicago O'Hare Intl
Chicago
|
122 | 224 mi | A320 | Dec 10, 2025 |
| IAH → DEN |
Denver Intl
Denver
|
121 | 863 mi | B39M | Dec 4, 2025 |
| SJD → IAH |
Houston Bush Int'ctl
Houston
|
120 | 1006 mi | A320 | Dec 9, 2025 |
| SFO → DEN |
Denver Intl
Denver
|
117 | 966 mi | B753 | Dec 10, 2025 |
| SFO → IAH |
Houston Bush Int'ctl
Houston
|
117 | 1724 mi | B739 | Dec 10, 2025 |
| CUN → IAH |
Houston Bush Int'ctl
Houston
|
115 | 813 mi | B739 | Dec 8, 2025 |
| SAL → IAH |
Houston Bush Int'ctl
Houston
|
114 | 1273 mi | B39M | Dec 9, 2025 |
| BTV → ORD |
Chicago O'Hare Intl
Chicago
|
113 | 807 mi | A319 | Dec 9, 2025 |
| SDQ → EWR |
Newark Liberty Intl
Newark
|
113 | 1683 mi | B39M | Dec 11, 2025 |
| MSY → IAH |
Houston Bush Int'ctl
Houston
|
110 | 304 mi | B739 | Dec 10, 2025 |
Airline statistics are based on flight route observations collected from FlightAware AeroAPI and other sources. Flight counts represent observed operations, not scheduled frequencies. Route data is continuously updated as new flight information becomes available.