United Airlines

United Airlines, Inc. is a major airline in the United States headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. It operates an extensive domestic and international route network across the United States and to destinations on six continents. Regional service is provided by independent carriers operating under the United Express brand, and the Star Alliance, of which United was one of the five founding airlines, extends its network throughout the world.
The principal figure behind the formation of the airline was William E. Boeing, founder of the Boeing Aircraft Company in 1916. He launched an air service between Victoria, British Columbia, and Seattle and later acquired three additional airlines, completing the merger by 1931 to form United Airlines. Through successive mergers and acquisitions, United has remained one of the largest airlines in the world for much of its history.

History

Network

Destinations

As of 2025, United Airlines flies to the following destinations. This table does not include destinations served by United's regional subsidiary, United Express.

Hubs

As part of its hub-and-spoke transport model, United currently operates eight hubs:

Chicago–O'Hare: United's primary hub and busiest by number of passengers
Denver: United's second-largest hub and mid-continent gateway
Guam: United's smallest hub and mid-pacific gateway
Houston–Intercontinental: United's hub for the South and gateway to Latin America
Los Angeles: United's secondary West Coast hub and transpacific/Latin American gateway
Newark-Liberty: United's primary hub for the East Coast and transatlantic gateway
San Francisco: United's primary hub for the West Coast and transpacific gateway
Washington–Dulles: United's secondary hub for the East Coast and transatlantic gateway
United Express

Alliance and codeshare agreements

United Airlines is a member of the Star Alliance that has 25 member airlines that operate a combined fleet of over 5,000 aircraft, with more than 19,000 flights, serving more than 1,300 airports with access to over 1,000 lounges in 195 countries.
United has codeshare agreements with the following airlines:

Strategy

Cabins

United Polaris

United Polaris is the airline's international business class product. The seats convert into a flatbed and include personal storage areas, power outlets and upgraded dining and amenity offerings.
Polaris seats are available on all Boeing 767s and 787s and on internationally configured 757s and 777s. Narrowbody 757 aircraft use a 2–2 layout without direct aisle access from each seat, while widebody aircraft provide aisle access for all passengers.
United has introduced an updated Polaris suite for Boeing 787-9 aircraft, planned to enter service after 2026. The new suites will include sliding doors and larger 4K screens, with the first row featuring "Polaris Studio" seats with additional space and features.
Polaris passengers receive priority check-in and boarding along with access to United Polaris lounges or partner lounges.

United First and United Business

United First is the highest cabin offered on domestically configured aircraft. When these aircraft operate internationally, the cabin is marketed as United Business. Seats on narrowbody aircraft have a seat pitch, while domestically configured Boeing 777-200ERs feature fully flat seats in a staggered layout. Amenities include priority services, complimentary alcoholic beverages and meals on longer flights, and dedicated check-in areas.
United introduced a redesigned domestic first-class seat in 2015, initially on Airbus A320 family aircraft, subsequently rolling it out across the mainline fleet.
In 2019, United announced a fleet-wide increase in first and business class seating, including the introduction of the premium-configured Bombardier CRJ550.
United's newest narrowbody interiors debuted on the Airbus A321neo in 2023.

United

United Premium Plus is the airline's international premium economy class cabin. It is available on all internationally configured widebody aircraft, featuring recliner seats with increased width, legroom and footrests. Typical layouts are 2–2–2 on Boeing 767s, 2–3–2 on 787s and 2–4–2 on 777s.
United has introduced an revised Premium Plus seat for Boeing 787-9 aircraft, planned to enter service after 2026 that will have privacy dividers and upgraded lighting.
Premium Plus includes enhanced dining, complimentary alcoholic beverages and upgraded bedding and amenities. The product entered service in 2019 after initially being sold as extended-legroom seating during the rollout period.

Economy Plus

Economy Plus seats are located in the forward section of the economy cabin and in exit rows. They offer of additional pitch and extra recline compared to standard economy seats. All other in-flight amenities are the same as United Economy.
Economy Plus is complimentary for MileagePlus Premier members, with eligibility depending on status tier.

United Economy

United Economy is offered on all aircraft, with a typical seat pitch and of recline. Many aircraft include personal seat-back entertainment systems, while others offer streaming media through onboard Wi-Fi. Some Boeing 737 aircraft are also equipped with DirecTV. Under the United NEXT initiative, all mainline aircraft are planned to have personal touchscreens by 2025.
Food and beverage service varies by route. Domestic and short-haul international flights offer buy-on-board options, while long-haul international flights include complimentary meals. All flights offer free snacks and non-alcoholic beverages, with complimentary beer and wine on long-haul international routes.

Basic Economy

Basic Economy is United's lowest fare type. Passengers receive the same onboard service as standard economy but face restrictions including no advance seat assignment, limited carry-on allowances and reduced eligibility for MileagePlus and Premier benefits.

Reward programs

Frequent flyer programs

is the frequent flyer program for United Airlines. Published MileagePlus Premier tiers are Premier Silver, Premier Gold, Premier Platinum, and Premier 1K. Unpublished tiers include United Global Services and Chairman's Circle.
As United is a Star Alliance member, customers reaching certain qualifications are entitled to certain benefits which may be used across the entirety of the Star Alliance network. Premier Silver customers are given Star Alliance Silver status, while Premier Gold customers and higher are given Star Alliance Gold status.

Airport lounges

is the airline lounge associated with United Airlines and United Express carriers. The United Club replaced the former United Red Carpet Club and Continental Airlines Presidents Club prior to United Airlines' merger with Continental.
Polaris lounges are lounges available exclusively to long-haul travelers in United's Polaris business class cabin, as well as passengers in first and business class on Star Alliance carriers. Amenities include à la carte dining, shower facilities, and sleeping pods.

Corporate affairs

Ownership and structure

United Airlines, Inc. is a publicly traded company under its parent holding company, United Airlines Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation listed on Nasdaq under the ticker symbol., it has a market capitalization exceeding $35 billion. United's operating revenues and operating expenses account for nearly 100% of the holding company's revenues and operating expenses. United's operating revenues and expenses account for nearly all of the holding company's financial activity.
Headquartered in the Willis Tower in Chicago, United ranked No. 83 on the 2025 Fortune 500 list of the largest U.S. corporations by total revenue. Through United Airlines Holdings, the company also holds a 9.9% stake in Mesa Airlines, a regional carrier operating under the United Express brand.

Business trends

The key trends for United Airlines are :

Year	Revenue	Net income	Assets	Employees	Passengers	Load factor	Aircraft	Refs
2011	37,110	837	37,988	87,000	96	82.8	701
2012	37,152		37,628	88,000	94	82.9	702
2013	38,279	571	36,812	87,000	91	83.8	693
2014	38,901	1,132	36,595	84,000	138	83.6	691
2015	37,864	7,340	40,861	84,000	140	83.4	715
2016	36,556	2,263	40,140	88,000	143	82.9	737
2017	37,736	2,131	42,326	89,800	148	82.4	744
2018	41,303	2,122	49,024	92,000	158	83.6	770
2019	43,259	3,009	52,611	96,000	162	84.0	777
2020	15,355		59,548	74,400	58	60.2	812
2021	24,634		68,175	84,100	104	72.2	826
2022	44,955	737	67,358	92,800	144	83.4	868
2023	53,717	2,618	71,104	103,300	165	83.9	945
2024	57,063	3,149	74,083	107,300	174	83.1	994
2025	59,070	3,353	76,448	113,200	181	82.2