Summary
- United Airlines to Halt JFK Operations – The airline will cease flights from John F. Kennedy International Airport after Oct. 29.
- Current Flight Operations – United operates four daily flights but predominantly uses Newark Liberty International Airport.
- Temporary Suspension Details – The airline assures employees that no jobs will be lost during this transition.
United Airlines will no longer operate flights out of New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport starting next month. This decision follows the airline’s request to expand its operations, which was not honored by the airport hub.
The carrier will discontinue flights from the major New York airport after its last inbound flights on Oct. 29, according to a memo shared with iBestTravel. The decision arose after United sought additional slots at JFK, but expressed that it was “clear that [the] process to add additional capacity at JFK will take some time.”
Currently, United operates four flights per day out of JFK. The vast majority of United’s flights into the New York area are from its Newark Liberty International Airport hub, as they will also continue operations from New York’s LaGuardia Airport.
“Given our current, too-small-to-be-competitive schedule out of JFK—coupled with the start of the winter season where more airlines will utilize their slots as they resume JFK flying—United has made the difficult decision to temporarily suspend service at JFK,” stated the airline. This notice has implications for approximately 100 employees at JFK, with United assuring that “no one is losing their job” and support will be provided to facilitate their transition to nearby locations.
United articulated that the suspension of flights out of JFK is a temporary measure. The airline remains committed to pursuing a more favorable schedule for its customers and is prepared to act on new opportunities as they arise.
This operational change also corresponds with a recent announcement from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) to separate Newark from the NYC airport city code, giving it autonomous status. Travelers will still find flight options to and from Newark when searching for flights labeled “NYC” on airline websites or through online travel resources.
