One segment or two?
 

I'm thinking about taking a flight from Denver to London. One that looks good for my needs is United flight 958, which goes from Denver to Chicago, then Chicago to London.

Checking United's web site, today (7/23) that flight arrived at gate C10, but it scheduled to leave from C18. Both legs are on a 777. I'm thinking that a plane change, from one 777 to another is required.

Where the flight has the same flight number, does that count as one flight segment or two? It seems only fair to me to count it as two flight segments, since the plane lands in Chicago. The fact that I would have to get off one airplane and on to another seems like another good reason to count it as two segments.

Anybody had experience with this or similar flights where the same flight number is used (with or without an aircraft change)?

Same flight number is one segment and mileage is figured on DEN-LHR BASIS.

You get credit for one segment on a direct flight, regardless of scheduled or unscheduled aircraft changes.

I used to fly PIT-MHT weekly. There was a direct through PHL, but there was also a stand-alone PIT-PHL flight that left 5 minutes earlier. My entire team would always take the earlier flight, switch planes, and make 2 segments out of it.

Who ever said FF programs were fair....

Interesting, because I searched the UAL site for the definition of "segment," and when it comes to collecting the $3/segment tax, the rules explicitly define a segment as one takeoff and one landing. So for tax collection you're definitely on two segments.

While I agree with your logic, my experience with transcon flights on UA has been that if the flight number doesn't change (even though you are required to change airplanes), then it is only considered a single segment. (I doubt that your intercontinental situation would change anything.)

Personally, I think if a passenger has to change planes, the airline should be required to change the flight number. If the flight number changes, I know that I will have to change planes. But if the flight number does not change, I expect to stay on the same tube of metal all the way. To me, it is FALSE ADVERTISING for an airline to require a plane change while not changing the Flight Number.

Since this question is specific to United, I'm going to move it to the United forum.

Regards,
Gary
aka gleff
MilesBuzz and Delta moderator