Nov 10, 2020, 12:21 pm
Last edit by: WineCountryUA
Start of service has been delayed -- now 28 March 2021
In April 2021, single flight M,Th,F,Sa,Su
SFO UA520,UA523
LAX UA514, UA517
UA's 2021 Return to JFK - Inaugural Flights on 28 March thread
AS (and VX) Moved to T7 at JFK; New Alaska Lounge (April, 2018)
Earlier related threads
FlightGlobal: United seeks return to New York JFK
United Airlines President: Leaving New York’s JFK ‘Was the Wrong Decision’ {2017}
p.s. Operations Transitioning to EWR on October 25, 2015
In April 2021, single flight M,Th,F,Sa,Su
SFO UA520,UA523
LAX UA514, UA517
UA's 2021 Return to JFK - Inaugural Flights on 28 March thread
AS (and VX) Moved to T7 at JFK; New Alaska Lounge (April, 2018)
We are Back! United Announces Return to New York's JFK Airport
Airline to offer new transcontinental service from JFK to the west coast starting February 1
November 10, 2020
-- United Airlines announced today that it will be returning service to New York City's John F. Kennedy Airport (JFK) on February 1, 2021 with nonstop service to the west coast. The airline's entry back into JFK after five years reflects not only its strong commitment to the New York City area, but a continuation of aggressively and strategically managing the impact of COVID-19 by increasing service to and from the places where customers want to fly. The new United service will operate out of Terminal 7.
Effective February of next year, United will serve both JFK to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and JFK to San Francisco International Airport (SFO) with two round-trips for each west coast city. The flights will utilize the reconfigured Boeing 767-300ER aircraft on the routes offering customers an extended premium cabin featuring 16 additional United Business class seats –providing all-aisle-access seating – bringing the total premium cabin seat count to 46. The aircraft will also feature 22 United Premium Plus® seats, 47 Economy Plus® seats and 52 Economy seats. United offers the most premium seats between the New York City area and Los Angeles and San Francisco markets. Tickets are now available for purchase on United.com.
"I have been waiting a long time to say this - United Airlines is back at JFK," said United's Chief Executive Officer Scott Kirby. "Come early next year, we will be serving all three major New York City area airports with a best-in-class product to provide our customers unmatched transcontinental service from New York City and the west coast."
Airline to offer new transcontinental service from JFK to the west coast starting February 1
November 10, 2020
-- United Airlines announced today that it will be returning service to New York City's John F. Kennedy Airport (JFK) on February 1, 2021 with nonstop service to the west coast. The airline's entry back into JFK after five years reflects not only its strong commitment to the New York City area, but a continuation of aggressively and strategically managing the impact of COVID-19 by increasing service to and from the places where customers want to fly. The new United service will operate out of Terminal 7.
Effective February of next year, United will serve both JFK to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and JFK to San Francisco International Airport (SFO) with two round-trips for each west coast city. The flights will utilize the reconfigured Boeing 767-300ER aircraft on the routes offering customers an extended premium cabin featuring 16 additional United Business class seats –providing all-aisle-access seating – bringing the total premium cabin seat count to 46. The aircraft will also feature 22 United Premium Plus® seats, 47 Economy Plus® seats and 52 Economy seats. United offers the most premium seats between the New York City area and Los Angeles and San Francisco markets. Tickets are now available for purchase on United.com.
"I have been waiting a long time to say this - United Airlines is back at JFK," said United's Chief Executive Officer Scott Kirby. "Come early next year, we will be serving all three major New York City area airports with a best-in-class product to provide our customers unmatched transcontinental service from New York City and the west coast."
"The upcoming return of United to JFK while continuing service at Newark Liberty and LaGuardia Airports will offer more choices for transcontinental flights just as travelers return to the skies," said Kevin O'Toole, Chairman of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. "As the recovery begins, we're pleased to see these increased options for those who choose to fly in and out of the Port Authority's airports."
"United Airlines' return to JFK Airport is a clear sign that air travel is returning in New York and across the region," said Rick Cotton, Executive Director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. "As numbers start to rise, the Port Authority is ready to welcome travelers back to JFK, Newark Liberty and LaGuardia Airports with increased cleaning and sanitizing in all terminals and touch-free options from curb to gate to ensure a world-class travel experience even in these unprecedented times."
United's premium cabin will feature flat-bed seats on all flights similar to the current Newark-Los Angeles and Newark-San Francisco offerings, providing a consistent and comprehensive NYC-west coast product. Additionally, United's wide-body service can participate in the robust cargo market between JFK and the west coast.
"United Airlines' return to JFK Airport is a clear sign that air travel is returning in New York and across the region," said Rick Cotton, Executive Director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. "As numbers start to rise, the Port Authority is ready to welcome travelers back to JFK, Newark Liberty and LaGuardia Airports with increased cleaning and sanitizing in all terminals and touch-free options from curb to gate to ensure a world-class travel experience even in these unprecedented times."
United's premium cabin will feature flat-bed seats on all flights similar to the current Newark-Los Angeles and Newark-San Francisco offerings, providing a consistent and comprehensive NYC-west coast product. Additionally, United's wide-body service can participate in the robust cargo market between JFK and the west coast.
FlightGlobal: United seeks return to New York JFK
United Airlines President: Leaving New York’s JFK ‘Was the Wrong Decision’ {2017}
p.s. Operations Transitioning to EWR on October 25, 2015
UA service JFK<> SFO/LAX , experiences, lounge, ....
Sep 12, 2021, 8:09 am
#826
Join Date: Apr 2021
Location: Manhattan, Palm Beach Island, San Francisco, Boston, & Hong Kong
Programs: Lifetime United Global Services, Delta Plat, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Ambassador, & Hilton Diamond
Posts: 3,165
UA's JFK-LAX/SFO promotion slogan should be "100% 'Mint Studio' seats on wide body aircraft," not 1/3 Studio seats on a sissy narrow body aircraft.
This should be the end of discussion of UA vs. Mint Studio seats. Just vote with your wallet if you do not like UA's product..
This should be the end of discussion of UA vs. Mint Studio seats. Just vote with your wallet if you do not like UA's product..
I’m happy to book United using the cheapest fare I can find and upgrade when there’s PN availability. Also happy to book something else when it works best for me in terms of cost and product. No loyalty for any airline and not swayed by the paltry GS MileagePlus benefits.
I’m just making the (imo still uncontested) point that this Polaris layout is not ideal for leisure travelers that want to interact with their traveling groups. But again, pretty moot point as United will soon downgrade the route. The great irony there is that the downgraded layout is more accommodating of group leisure travelers lol.
Sep 23, 2021, 2:45 pm
#827
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: San Francisco
Programs: UA MM Plat, UA 1MM, Hilton Lifetime Gold, Marriott Gold, Hertz Gold, CLEAR, AS MVP Gold
Posts: 3,618
Just flew UA517 JFK-LAX. Great staff at the check-in counters, Alaska Lounge, and on board. Food was tasty.
For anyone's curiosity, bruschetta and a creamy chicken and rice soup was served at the Alaska Lounge at JFK. The Alaska lounge had the other usual items minus the pancake machine.
For anyone's curiosity, bruschetta and a creamy chicken and rice soup was served at the Alaska Lounge at JFK. The Alaska lounge had the other usual items minus the pancake machine.
Sep 23, 2021, 3:05 pm
#828
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2017
Programs: AS 75K, DL Silver, UA Platinum, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Platinum + LT Gold
Posts: 10,502
I wouldn't it a meal, but more of a snack, especially the cheese option.
Last edited by Repooc17; Sep 23, 2021 at 3:10 pm
Sep 23, 2021, 3:40 pm
#829
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: San Francisco
Programs: UA MM Plat, UA 1MM, Hilton Lifetime Gold, Marriott Gold, Hertz Gold, CLEAR, AS MVP Gold
Posts: 3,618
Sep 23, 2021, 4:08 pm
#830
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2017
Programs: AS 75K, DL Silver, UA Platinum, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Platinum + LT Gold
Posts: 10,502
Sep 23, 2021, 4:16 pm
#831
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: DAL
Posts: 3,400
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Sep 23, 2021 at 7:12 pm Reason: split post
Sep 23, 2021, 11:49 pm
#832
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: TOA
Programs: HH Diamond, Marriott LTPP/Platinum Premier, Hyatt Lame-ist, UA !K
Posts: 20,061
Oct 4, 2021, 9:21 am
#833
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: USA
Programs: Chase Sapphire Reserve, WFBF
Posts: 1,573
Anyone have any experience in terms of how easy it would be for a non-elite to get a mileage upgrade (20k + 75) from JFK? I have to go to LAX and would have never considered United but I have enough miles for the upgrades both ways and the economy fares are cheaper than AA/B6.
Oct 4, 2021, 9:33 am
#834
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Houston
Programs: UA LT GS 4.2 MM, AA Gold 1MM, HH Lifetime Diamond, Marriott Lifetime Gold
Posts: 394
After tomorrow morning's flight, it will probably be pretty much impossible. The plane will have 16 seats vs the current 46 up front.
Oct 4, 2021, 12:35 pm
#835
Join Date: Jan 2018
Programs: UA LT GS | UA LT Club | Marriott LT Titanium
Posts: 1,250
That's too bad. The transcons, with larger J cabins, have been kind to me. I've cleared 12 transcon segments in the last 60 days (many to/from JFK). I have the flexibility to travel off-peak days/times, so that helps.
Oct 4, 2021, 12:42 pm
#836
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Houston
Programs: UA LT GS 4.2 MM, AA Gold 1MM, HH Lifetime Diamond, Marriott Lifetime Gold
Posts: 394
JFK has been good to me too as I worked towards 4MM. I have cleared every segment (28-30) in the last 3 months. Of course being GS helps. In Sept I think almost every flight did have some empty seats up front.
Oct 4, 2021, 1:09 pm
#837
Join Date: Jan 2018
Programs: UA LT GS | UA LT Club | Marriott LT Titanium
Posts: 1,250
I just went to JFK on the 30th to catch the Mets' final home game of the year.
The best part about the new JFK flight is I can get from my Polaris seat to my bleacher seat below in about 25 minutes!
The best part about the new JFK flight is I can get from my Polaris seat to my bleacher seat below in about 25 minutes!
Oct 4, 2021, 1:14 pm
#838
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: ORD / PHX
Programs: UA LT 1K 3MM (former 12 yr GS), Bonvoy Amb/LT Plat
Posts: 1,341
(Snarky comment from me, a Cub fan)
Oct 4, 2021, 1:23 pm
#839
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: New York, NY, USA
Posts: 12,482
JFK upgrades go from shoo-in to next to impossible after tomorrow. 
Oct 6, 2021, 8:05 pm
#840
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: AA, UA, Marriott
Posts: 1,109
Maybe not, the Thursday evening upgrade lists from JFK tomorrow are very short, especially to LAX, not at all what I'd expect.
I wonder if UA's JFK service either (1) lost customers or (2) was serving people who would otherwise go to EWR
I wonder if UA's JFK service either (1) lost customers or (2) was serving people who would otherwise go to EWR