United Airlines Overview

The largest airline in the world by the number of destinations served, United operates flights to 235 domestic and 138 international cities across 60 countries worldwide. Headquartered in Chicago’s Willis (formerly Sears) Tower, it flies out of major hubs including Chicago, Houston, Newark, Denver, San Francisco, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, Guam, and Tokyo. Notably, its largest passenger hub is in Houston, with an average of 45,413 travelers daily, while O’Hare hosts the most daily United departures.

A Brief History of United Airlines

Aviator Walter Varney founded his eponymous airline in 1926, primarily to fly mail to and from Washington, Idaho, and Nevada. By 1930, Varney Air Lines was acquired by aviation pioneer William Boeing of Boeing Air Transport. Subsequently, Boeing renamed his new conglomeration United Aircraft and Transport. This company eventually split into United Air Lines, handling passenger and cargo service, and Boeing Airplane Company for aircraft manufacturing.

Innovations and Developments

United’s legacy of innovation began in 1933 when it started flying the first all-metal airliner, the Boeing 247. Moreover, in 1954, it became the first airline to purchase modern flight simulators for pilot training. During a significant contract negotiation in 1994, United’s various employee groups traded salary concessions for a 55 percent ownership stake in the company, making it the largest employee-owned corporation in the world at the time.

Challenges and Transformations

Despite its storied history, United filed for bankruptcy in 2002. However, it merged with Continental Airlines in 2010, a fitting move given their shared and often intertwined origins in the aviation industry.

Global Presence and Alliances

United Airlines co-founded the Star Alliance in 1997, teaming up with Scandinavian Airlines, Thai Airways, Air Canada, and Lufthansa. Today, this 27-member alliance boasts a fleet of over 4,600 planes servicing more than 1,300 airports across nearly 200 countries. They collectively carry approximately 640 million passengers annually, with more than 18,500 daily departures.

Frequent Flyer Program

United’s frequent flyer program, MileagePlus, offers various benefits, including the ability for members to purchase in-flight Wi-Fi using their accrued miles. This program enhances the travel experience, providing added convenience for frequent travelers.