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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Mar 7, 2020, 9:13 am

#1066

whlinder

Join Date: May 2001

Location: IAD

Posts: 6,148

Quote:

Originally Posted by PsiFighter37

I’m trying to get to California to see my grandmother, who is old and in the later stages of dementia. I could fly my usual EWR-LAX - there is even I availability on some Friday night flights next week, which is usually unheard of - but I am going to stick with my plan of flying into the secondary airports with far less traffic (into PSP on the way out and via ONT on the way back) just to minimize risks. Perhaps that is being overly cautious, but I feel like it is the smart thing to do, especially since the virus is much worse if older people get it.

Interesting, I've been approaching this type of calculation that nonstop flights reduce the overall probability of exposure, by removing the chance of exposure through a connecting airport.

Mar 7, 2020, 9:24 am

#1067

spartacusmcfly

Join Date: Jan 2018

Programs: UA LT GS | UA LT Club | Marriott LT Titanium

Posts: 1,250

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrt88

I have some upcoming international flights in May where I had waitlisted PlusPoints for upgrades, when I checked this morning PZ was wide open on all of them, including SFO-LHR on a Friday night but they hadn't cleared on their own. At least this new system makes it easier to redeposit and apply again. Go check out your bookings guys if you have waitlisted instruments!

Those comfortable traveling will have significantly better PlusPoint success in the coming months. Benefits those leaving the 1K ranks this year, as they likely won't be eligible for PlusPoint extention.

Mar 7, 2020, 9:27 am

#1068

Quibert

Join Date: Feb 2020

Posts: 17

Quote:

Originally Posted by tcdtcd

I have a similar issue on an upcoming UA-modified SFO-SIN-SFO itinerary (booked months ago), rendering it useless. If instead of cancelling, I ask them to alter the return to make it useful to me (which I’m sure they will do at no charge, given it was their cancellation), does that then lock me in to no further free changes/cancellation unless a SIN waiver is issued before the flight? TIA.

I will let you know in a little while, currently on hold with them for two reasons. The first being when they made the first change they downgraded one of my unaffected segments. The second is I noticed there is a direct flight from CGK to HND that would work so I could eliminate my other connection in SIN completely.

Mar 7, 2020, 9:40 am

#1069

coolbeans202

Join Date: Jun 2004

Location: Washington, DC

Programs: UA Gold 1MM, AA EXP, HH Diamond, MR Gold, Avis PC, Hertz PC

Posts: 1,252

Quote:

Originally Posted by thisdj78

FWIW, I’ve been on hold over an hour with United

I had a 58 minute hold this morning...

I had forgotten about the massive schedule change this morning and called in to fix an award ticket that needed to be re-issued.

Mar 7, 2020, 9:43 am

#1070

PsiFighter37

Join Date: Mar 2015

Location: NYC (Primarily EWR)

Programs: UA 1K / *G, Marriott Bonvoy Gold; Avis PC

Posts: 9,005

Quote:

Originally Posted by whlinder

Interesting, I've been approaching this type of calculation that nonstop flights reduce the overall probability of exposure, by removing the chance of exposure through a connecting airport.

Ordinarily I would agree, but as it seems like there are outbreaks in the major CA population centers, I think it is less risky to connect via DEN and IAH...of course, I could be completely wrong...

Mar 7, 2020, 10:03 am

#1071

cesco.g

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Oct 1999

Posts: 11,468

Quote:

Originally Posted by eng3

Has the ORD-ZRH route been cancelled in April? I was looking at a trip to TLV and then possibly returning via ZRH.

It looks like the launch of ORD-ZRH service at the end of March has been cancelled - not sure when/if this new route will get started.

Israel has put severe travel restrictions on visitor from certain EU countries, incl Switzerland, so LX cancelled all it's flights to TLV for the time being.

Mar 7, 2020, 10:05 am

#1072

eng3

Join Date: Aug 2008

Location: PHL

Programs: UA 1K 1MM, Marriott Gold, IHG Platinum, Raddison Platinum, Avis Presidents Club

Posts: 5,269

Quote:

Originally Posted by PsiFighter37

IMHO, I would not let the current hysterics affect your travel decisions too much. I am far more concerned about catching the flu or cold or other typically diseases your are exposed to daily on a plane vs COVID19. My biggest concern is someone coughing the wrong way and overreacting and causing the whole flight to get quarantined for testing. If I were in your shoes, I'd stick to the original plan of a non-stop. Multi-stop means longer amount of time exposed to the unknown, exposure to more people in airport and on various flights. If you are on a nonstop assuming you have a window seat, you may only have to worry about the person next to you being sick or at most a few people around you. If you are on two flights, you now double the chances. Not to mention the greater amount of time and physical activity makes one more tired and perhaps more susceptible to catching something. I think sticking to simple things like washing your hands is probably far more effective than a different flight routing.

Quote:

Originally Posted by cesco.g

It looks like the launch of ORD-ZRH service at the end of March has been cancelled - not sure when/if it this new route will get started.

Israel has put severe travel restrictions on visitor from certain EU countries, incl Switzerland, so LX cancelled all it's flights to TLV for the time being.

ah, I was only looking at entry form the US, maybe thats why I couldn't find any difference.

Mar 7, 2020, 10:07 am

#1073

chavala

Join Date: Mar 2011

Location: MFR

Programs: UA 1K 1.9MM, Hilton Gold, Marriott Gold

Posts: 2,883

Quote:

Originally Posted by coolbeans202

I had a 58 minute hold this morning...

I had forgotten about the massive schedule change this morning and called in to fix an award ticket that needed to be re-issued.

I know today is the day, but is there a list of the changes posted anywhere? Or as long as my reservation for Monday still looks OK, I'm good?
I've been afraid DFW would be one of the first to be hit.

Mar 7, 2020, 10:17 am

#1074

cesco.g

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Oct 1999

Posts: 11,468

Poking around the April schedule for FRA it looks like most flights are holding up, but two flights seem to be gone:
Second SFO-FRA flight - UA#926, evening dept
Second EWR-FRA frequency will not launch for the time being.

Mar 7, 2020, 10:21 am

#1075

thisdj78

Join Date: Dec 2011

Posts: 34

Quote:

Originally Posted by thisdj78

Hey folks, just had a flight from FCO to EWR canceled for 3/17, I was automatically booked to a flight a day earlier.

spoke to a rep and got my return flight routed through Lisbon Portugal, leaving on my original departure day.

Mar 7, 2020, 10:29 am

#1076

jimdarcy

Join Date: Dec 2015

Location: ORD

Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Ambassador, AA Platinum, Avis Pres Club, Hertz Pres Circle

Posts: 564

Quote:

Originally Posted by cesco.g

so far yes, bet there will be cancellations coming

Mar 7, 2020, 10:36 am

#1077

cesco.g

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Oct 1999

Posts: 11,468

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimdarcy

so far yes, bet there will be cancellations coming

You re probably right. Currently 8 out of 10 flights are still scheduled - about in line with the 20% international reduction announced.

Mar 7, 2020, 10:49 am

#1078

fatlasercat

Join Date: Feb 2015

Location: SFO

Programs: UA 1MM 1K, BA Gold

Posts: 430

Downgrade from polarized 777 to non-polarized 787-9 is grounds for full refund, right?

Mar 7, 2020, 11:08 am

#1079

50Kthehardway

Join Date: Mar 2015

Location: CLE

Programs: UA:1K 0.81M

Posts: 135

farelock before no change fee waiver date

1K desk confirmed today that farelocks before March 3, but ticketed in the waiver period get the "no change fee" waiver. Makes sense, but wanted to double check.

Mar 7, 2020, 11:47 am

#1080

iapetus

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: May 2006

Location: Pasadena, California

Programs: UA 1K, 1MM

Posts: 10,412

I was planning to travel LAX-FCO-LAX (with connections, obviously) later this month, but my company has forbidden all international travel to Italy that is not "mission essential" (this trip does not count as such). I did get upgraded from FCO-EWR on the way home a week ago, which has never happened for me this far out.

The odd thing that I just noticed is that I am currently waitlisted for IAD-LAX in PZ on the way home. The original itinerary was FCO-EWR-LAX, and the FCO-EWR leg remains unchanged in the current itinerary. If I were taking this trip, I suppose that United would figure out some way to get me from FCO to IAD and not EWR???

Anyhoo, it's all academic. I'm just waiting to see if United will extend their waiver to FCO before cancelling.