Cancelling UA Thanksgiving Travel?
Nov 23, 2020, 10:36 am
#61
Join Date: May 2010
Location: AVP & PEK
Programs: UA 1K 1.9MM
Posts: 6,358
Yes, it does.
Hubs are scheduled in banks. During each bank, flights come in, passengers, baggage, and freight is moves to their next flight, and flights depart.
When flights were reduced due to COVID, they still need to have all of the connecting options in the bank so that people and freight can get to where it needs to go so you aren't significantly reducing the size of each bank, you're reducing the number of banks per day. A hub may have gone from 7 banks to 2 banks per day leaving large blocks of time between banks where the terminals are nearly empty.
Hubs are scheduled in banks. During each bank, flights come in, passengers, baggage, and freight is moves to their next flight, and flights depart.
When flights were reduced due to COVID, they still need to have all of the connecting options in the bank so that people and freight can get to where it needs to go so you aren't significantly reducing the size of each bank, you're reducing the number of banks per day. A hub may have gone from 7 banks to 2 banks per day leaving large blocks of time between banks where the terminals are nearly empty.
Cheers, that makes a lot of sense and coincides with what I witnessed at IAD for my ~8hr layover.
Nov 23, 2020, 11:32 am
#62
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 11,469
Yes, it does.
Hubs are scheduled in banks. During each bank, flights come in, passengers, baggage, and freight is moves to their next flight, and flights depart.
When flights were reduced due to COVID, they still need to have all of the connecting options in the bank so that people and freight can get to where it needs to go so you aren't significantly reducing the size of each bank, you're reducing the number of banks per day. A hub may have gone from 7 banks to 2 banks per day leaving large blocks of time between banks where the terminals are nearly empty.
Hubs are scheduled in banks. During each bank, flights come in, passengers, baggage, and freight is moves to their next flight, and flights depart.
When flights were reduced due to COVID, they still need to have all of the connecting options in the bank so that people and freight can get to where it needs to go so you aren't significantly reducing the size of each bank, you're reducing the number of banks per day. A hub may have gone from 7 banks to 2 banks per day leaving large blocks of time between banks where the terminals are nearly empty.
Nov 23, 2020, 11:46 am
#63
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.997MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,857
Let's return thread topic of our personal travel plans or not on UA for Thanksgiving. Thank you
WIneCountryUA
UA coModerator
WIneCountryUA
UA coModerator
Nov 23, 2020, 3:26 pm
#65
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: HNL
Programs: UA GS4MM, MR LT Plat, Hilton Gold
Posts: 6,447
Thought I would update myself. Still going despite the new restrictions but the trip changed significantly. Since Hawaii requires a negative Covid in hand or 14 day quarantine, switched to the Hawaiian nonstop on the return as they guarantee 36 hour turnaround for tests at Main Street Station Casino - had no options at LAS as Quest suspended Hawaii testing and CVS warns you strongly on the website to test elsewhere for Hawaii travel.
Nov 24, 2020, 5:52 am
#66
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,467
Wow there have been lots of cancels. I have to change return from PHX to SFO from tonight (AS) to tomorrow, and UA's two early flights are PZ2 and PZ5. So $119 for upgraded F. These flights were in the J1 range a week ago. Remarkable to be able to purchase discount economy and confirm in F on the day before T-day.
Nov 24, 2020, 5:59 am
#67
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 90
Wow there have been lots of cancels. I have to change return from PHX to SFO from tonight (AS) to tomorrow, and UA's two early flights are PZ2 and PZ5. So $119 for upgraded F. These flights were in the J1 range a week ago. Remarkable to be able to purchase discount economy and confirm in F on the day before T-day.
Nov 24, 2020, 6:02 am
#68
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,467
Well, I just told you - PHX-SFO is a good example.
I think the cancels are happening right now in real time.
I flew into PHX from LAX yesterday and PHX was the most crowded I've seen during COVID. LAX was considerably quieter (and everyone was wearing masks, which is a significant change from when I last came through a month ago).
I think the cancels are happening right now in real time.
I flew into PHX from LAX yesterday and PHX was the most crowded I've seen during COVID. LAX was considerably quieter (and everyone was wearing masks, which is a significant change from when I last came through a month ago).
Nov 24, 2020, 8:14 am
#69
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2017
Programs: AS 75K, DL Silver, UA Platinum, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Platinum + LT Gold
Posts: 10,515
11/23/2020 917,354
11/22/2020 1,047,934
11/21/2020 984,369
11/20/2020 1,019,836
11/19/2020 907,332
Best five-day travel numbers (TSA throughput) since March.
11/22/2020 1,047,934
11/21/2020 984,369
11/20/2020 1,019,836
11/19/2020 907,332
Best five-day travel numbers (TSA throughput) since March.
Nov 24, 2020, 11:14 am
#70
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.997MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,857
But only 4.6% above 15 - 19 Oct 2020 totals (4.664M - 37.7% YoY) - a non-holiday period
Nov 24, 2020, 5:44 pm
#71
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 923
I do not know if "best" is the correct word. We decided not to travel. Also, upthread there was a discussion of an easy purchased UG. I cannot believe how inexpensive F flights are in Dec--well, at least the city pairs I am reviewing.
Nov 24, 2020, 6:03 pm
#72
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2017
Programs: AS 75K, DL Silver, UA Platinum, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Platinum + LT Gold
Posts: 10,515
Nov 25, 2020, 11:51 am
#73
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: Seat 1A, Juice pretty much everywhere, Mucci des Coins Exotiques
Posts: 34,339
As a data point I'm on the second leg of EWR-ORD-LAX and both flights were quite full. I was happy to have CLEAR at EWR as the security lines were long. I booked F and will enjoy premium transcon on the return flight. It was only $800 booking in this way. A month ago. 
A few days ago I was in LYS and CDG and those airports had hardly a passenger in sight as France is still in lockdown for a few more days.
A few days ago I was in LYS and CDG and those airports had hardly a passenger in sight as France is still in lockdown for a few more days.
Nov 25, 2020, 1:02 pm
#74
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Saipan, MP 96950 USA (Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands = the CNMI)
Programs: UA Silver, Hilton Silver. Life: UA .57 MM, United & Admirals Clubs (spousal), Marriott Platinum
Posts: 15,055
My son flew LAS-SFO-NRT-GUM-SPN, arriving on Saipan five minutes ago. All flights were wide open.
