May 7, 2022, 3:00 pm

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Active thread; UA-Schedule changes; +25% TATL 2022 capacity, Q2 TPAC down 65% vs 2019; June changes

UA publishes a schedule for 330 days in advance (called Beginning of Schedule) and in the past would make tweaks quarterly and things would be fairly settles 3-4 months out. Updates would occur Friday evening / Saturday morning (Chicago time). Routine additions could occur anytime.
20 Oct 2021

Quote:

Originally Posted by EWR764

In the earnings call today, UA noted that has been transitioning back to its 'normal' (pre-pandemic) 90-day schedule load process, which should be complete in the very near future.

Quote:

Originally Posted by UA Insider

The only thing constant is change and at United Airlines, some of the fees associated with changes related to flying are gone for good. The carrier announced today that it is permanently getting rid of change fees on all standard Economy and Premium cabin tickets for travel within the U.S., effective immediately. And starting on January 1, 2021, any United customer can fly standby for free, regardless of fare type, on a flight departing the day of their travel, a first among U.S. carriers, while MileagePlus® Premier® members can confirm a seat on a different flight on the same day with the same departure and arrival cities as their original ticket if a seat in the same ticket fare class is available.

United is also extending its waiver for new tickets issued through December 31, 2020, to permit unlimited changes with no fee. This policy applies to all ticket types issued after March 3, 2020 and is valid for domestic and international travel.

The new change fee policy applies to all standard Economy and Premium cabin tickets for travel within the U.S. 50 states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands and customers will not be limited in the number of times they adjust their flights.

Additionally, United is giving customers more flexibility to change their flights on the day of their travel so they can head home if a meeting ends earlier or enjoy a few more hours on vacation. With the ability to list for same-day standby for free, customers will now have an option to take a different flight with the same origin and destination airports as their original itinerary if space is available at departure. This enhanced option will be available to all customers for travel within the U.S. and to and from international destinations beginning on January 1, 2021. Customers who want to switch flights will be able to add themselves to the standby list through United’s award-winning mobile app, on united.com or at the airport no later than 30 minutes prior to departure for domestic flights and one hour before departure on international flights.

The carrier is also improving the travel experience for its MileagePlus members including waiving all redeposit fees on award travel for flights changed or cancelled more than 30 days before departure and allowing all MileagePlus Premier members to confirm a different flight on the day of their travel. As a way to thank MileagePlus Premier members for their loyalty, beginning January 1, 2021, all Premier members will be able to confirm a seat for free on a different flight with the same departure and arrival cities as their original ticket. This expanded option will allow MileagePlus Silver members and above to confirm a new seat in the same ticket fare class if space is available. Earlier this year, United announced that it will extend status for MileagePlus Premier and United Global Services® members through January 2022. United also reduced thresholds for Premier qualification by 50 percent for each status level, to make reaching an even higher status tier easier.

For more information on United’s new flexible travel policies, visit https://www.united.com/ual/en/us/fly/travel/change-fee.html.

Quote:

Change is here. Change fees are gone.We’re permanently getting rid of change fees for most Economy and premium cabin tickets for travel within the United States. This includes Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Learn more

For all other destinations, change fees are waived through December 31, 2020. See terms and conditions

Quote:

We’re extending electronic certificatesTo give you more flexibility when you travel, electronic certificates are now valid for 24 months from the date they were issued. This includes all currently valid electronic certificates and all new ones issued on or after April 1, 2020.

This policy change will automatically appear, but it may not be reflected everywhere right away. We’d appreciate your patience as we work to make that happen.

Quote:

Award flight redeposit fees waived

We’re waiving redeposit fees for award flights issued on or before December 31, 2020, that are canceled at least 30 days before the departure date. You can also change your award flight with no fee. Learn more about changing or canceling your award flight.

International travel advisories and waivers

For more information about international travel:

View our current travel waivers
See our country-specific travel updates
Search by destination for passport, visa and health requirements provided by the International Air Transport Association (IATA)
Visit the U.S. Department of State’s website for detailed information on coronavirus by country[/quote]

CARES service exemptions for United
United Exemption 042520 FINAL ISSUED.pdf
United Airlines 2nd Exemption_051220_FINAL ISSUED.pdf
latest (tentative) -2020-5-5 Order to Show Cause

Other Resources and Statistics

COVID19 UA-Schedule {Archive}

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Jun 25, 2021, 5:41 pm

#3886

dkc192

Join Date: May 2007

Programs: UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist

Posts: 5,459

Seems like another schedule change is happening tonight. I had a HNL-LAX flight next week get moved back by 10 minutes; it seems absurd that they'd be doing schedule changes this close in, potentially causing missed connections and the need to rebook a bunch of pax when alternate flights are already full.

Jun 26, 2021, 6:41 am

#3887

cesco.g

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Oct 1999

Posts: 11,468

With the gradual reopening of Europe will UA be able to add TATL flights?
FRA for one has seen steadily increasing to very healthy loads lately.

Jun 28, 2021, 1:47 am

#3888

cfischer

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Aug 2005

Location: BOS/EAP

Programs: UA 1K, MR LTT, HH Dia, Amex Plat

Posts: 32,057

Our October SFO-AKL flight got cancelled a few days ago.

"Due to persistent changes in our flight operations, your flight 917 on 10/9/2021 for itinerary XXXXXX has been canceled. We know this is unexpected, and unfortunately, we are unable to book you on another United flight at this time"

Jun 28, 2021, 3:05 am

#3889

phkc070408

Join Date: Jan 2013

Location: Delaware

Programs: UA Mileage Plus, Amtrak Guest Rewards

Posts: 1,393

Our EWR-MCO round trip in Late August changed by a few mins both ways, but what's interesting is both departures are the exact same time, 1045 and arrivals are 1" apart, 1328 arrival into MCO and 1329 arrival into EWR

Jun 28, 2021, 6:30 am

#3890

TomMM

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Mar 2014

Location: 4éme

Posts: 12,043

Quote:

Originally Posted by cfischer

Not really unexpected.

Jun 28, 2021, 9:50 am

#3891

N104UA

Join Date: Nov 2014

Programs: UA 2MM

Posts: 1,679

Quote:

Originally Posted by WineCountryUA

Mid-Oct is beyond the range of present schedule updates and are mere placeholders

Yes, although for some reason UA keeps schedule changing some flights I have in December, which I know will change again, ugg.

Quote:

Originally Posted by emcampbe

Maybe it’s too far away, but noticed SFO-ORD and vv widebodies seem to disappear in mid-Oct. Anyone know if those might change and come back?

right now, seems that ex-SFO, there is a 772 morning flight and another redeye. Westbound, there is an afternoon and evening flight on 772 - at least when I’ve been looking in Sept/Early Oct. But looks like the widebodies completely disappear on this route after mid-Oct. as long as I can remember, there has always been at least 1-2 widebodies on this route. So wondering if they will likely add these again in a schedule update closer to Oct, or if these might be completely gone? Checking on IAD, and seems the widebodies stay there on that route, at least when I checked through the end of they year.

As WineCountryUA said this is still a placeholder schedule, one way to see if a schedule is a place holder is to look at the entire day's flights between two cities, if they are all the same type of aircraft on a route (either Airbus or 737NGs), if they are all showing the same time of aircraft I usually assume that is a placeholder. For example on 10/15 on ORD-SFO UA only have 738 and 739s listed and between LAX-SFO they are all A319s, compare that to a month prior in Sep and they both have a mix of fleet types on those routes. I would also expect there to be a lot of schedule changes going into the fall as UA is trying to adjust for demand (both cargo and pax), it could be very likely that in Aug one of the daily ORD-SFO flights gets a 777 to only have it changed to a 753 in Sep.

Jun 28, 2021, 12:36 pm

#3892

emcampbe

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Oct 2006

Location: SFO/SJC

Programs: UA Silver, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold

Posts: 14,890

Quote:

Originally Posted by N104UA

Yes, although for some reason UA keeps schedule changing some flights I have in December, which I know will change again, ugg.

As WineCountryUA said this is still a placeholder schedule, one way to see if a schedule is a place holder is to look at the entire day's flights between two cities, if they are all the same type of aircraft on a route (either Airbus or 737NGs), if they are all showing the same time of aircraft I usually assume that is a placeholder. For example on 10/15 on ORD-SFO UA only have 738 and 739s listed and between LAX-SFO they are all A319s, compare that to a month prior in Sep and they both have a mix of fleet types on those routes. I would also expect there to be a lot of schedule changes going into the fall as UA is trying to adjust for demand (both cargo and pax), it could be very likely that in Aug one of the daily ORD-SFO flights gets a 777 to only have it changed to a 753 in Sep.

Actually, that makes some sense.

Actually looking at SFO-OGG in mid-November, and noticing things changed on Friday night. They had a [domestically configured] 777 for the 9am flight (obviously, those aren't going to be back in service), and changed it to a 738, consistent with the rest of the flights that day. That seems to be showing as the same now for about mid-Oct through mid-Dec. Currently, they seem to be flying only 1 763 (morning), 1 738, and then the rest are 752 - the 763 returns in mid-December, but most of the rest are showing 738. I'm guessing there might be some sort of change for the fall again, although the widebody to narrow seems to have thrown fares to a bit of a higher class, though I suspect with the seat maps still fairly light (I know, I know...probably some BE pax without seats yet), and lots of fare classes with 9s, that's probably just the weekend fare adjustments, and that will change again today or tomorrow. Hoping they go back to a morning widebody..,.but we'll see.

Jun 28, 2021, 12:55 pm

#3893

JimInOhio

Join Date: Jun 2014

Programs: UA MM

Posts: 4,126

Quote:

Originally Posted by emcampbe

The 738 is a “lowest common denominator” type of aircraft in UA’s fleet. They can always switch to a larger plane but the reverse can present problems.

Jun 28, 2021, 2:56 pm

#3894

cfischer

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Aug 2005

Location: BOS/EAP

Programs: UA 1K, MR LTT, HH Dia, Amex Plat

Posts: 32,057

Quote:

Originally Posted by TomMM

Not really unexpected.

not claiming it is. I will call when I am back from EU travel to see if they will move us to March 2022 /... we'll see.

Jun 30, 2021, 4:04 pm

#3895

Dawoz

Join Date: Jul 2000

Location: SF Bay Area

Programs: United 1K (1 Million Miler)/ SPG Lifetime- Plat-

Posts: 281

SFO-MSP Nonstop eliminated

Pre Covid there were two non-stops a day.... Looks like there are none now.

Anyone know when that started and is there any source that would show if/ when it is returning?

I haven't been able to find any press releases (or anything else) from anyone about this route.

Jun 30, 2021, 4:10 pm

#3896

aCavalierInCoach

Join Date: Aug 2003

Location: Northern California

Programs: I want to be free! Free!

Posts: 3,455

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dawoz

Lots of routes in flux... SFO-FLL used to be 2-3x daily I think, poofed off the schedule a couple weeks ago for the fall. Honestly anything beyond the next 60 days is probably subject to change, not going to find anything definitive in terms of a return of a route - especially one like SFO-MSP that UA almost seemed to serve begrudgingly (E175s on a 3-4 hour route with four daily departures).

Jun 30, 2021, 4:33 pm

#3897

BThumme

Join Date: Apr 2012

Location: DTW/MBS

Programs: UA 1K, HHonors Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, Formerly Starbucks Gold

Posts: 3,525

Looks like its still scheduled starting twice a day in October.

Also noticed DTW-SFO back then as well.

Jun 30, 2021, 4:34 pm

#3898

WineCountryUA

Moderator: United Airlines

Join Date: Jun 2007

Location: SFO

Programs: UA Plat 1.995MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat

Posts: 66,856

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dawoz

Just one of many pre-COVID routes no long operating.

UA and other airlines rarely do press release when they drop a route (there is no reason from their perspective to do that)

Routes most likely to be operating are leisure routes. Those are absorbing all the capacity and crews.
I would suspect SFO-MSP was principally a business route and business travel in the USA is still down 60%.

I hope it comes back because I have done it annually but not sure until business travel returns. Certainty no sooner than post-labor day when leisure drops off.

Don't be fooled with schedules showing this sort of routes operate toward the end of the year --those are subject to cancellation as we get closer.

Jun 30, 2021, 4:53 pm

#3899

Repooc17

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Aug 2017

Programs: AS 75K, DL Silver, UA Platinum, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Platinum + LT Gold

Posts: 10,514

Quote:

Originally Posted by BThumme

Looks like its still scheduled starting twice a day in October.

Also noticed DTW-SFO back then as well.

October is still very much placeholder schedules. I would not use October and beyond as a guidance right now.

Jun 30, 2021, 5:03 pm

#3900

mduell

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: May 2007

Location: Houston

Programs: UA Plat, Marriott Gold

Posts: 12,693

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dawoz

Resumes double daily in September on express:

Code:

 flight | orig | dest | eqp | departs  |    from    |     to     |  days   
--------+------+------+-----+----------+------------+------------+---------
 UA5933 | SFO  | MSP  | E7W | 12:32:00 | 2021-09-08 | 2038-01-01 | MTWRFSU
 UA5924 | SFO  | MSP  | E7W | 18:07:00 | 2021-09-08 | 2021-10-30 | MTWRFSU
 UA5924 | SFO  | MSP  | E7W | 18:07:00 | 2021-10-31 | 2022-05-22 |  TW F U
 UA5924 | SFO  | MSP  | E7W | 18:07:00 | 2021-11-01 | 2022-05-21 | M  R S 
 UA5924 | SFO  | MSP  | E7W | 18:07:00 | 2022-05-23 | 2038-01-01 | MTWRFSU

edit: ugh this forum really screws with formatting now