On May 15, 2024, United Airlines told employees that it had 鈥済ood news鈥� to share regarding new aircraft and routes, following the FAA精东影业 decision to delay some certification activities related to the carrier.听听

鈥淭oday, we got some good news: after a careful review and discussion about the proactive safety steps United has taken to date, our has allowed us to begin the process of restarting our certification activities, including new aircraft and routes, and we will continue to coordinate closely with the FAA,鈥� United told staff members.听听

However, on May 16, 2024, the FAA stated it had not yet 鈥渁pproved any expansion of United Airlines鈥� routes or fleets鈥�. 

鈥淭he certificate holder evaluation program that the FAA is conducting for United is ongoing and safety will determine the timeline for completing it,鈥� the FAA added.  

Despite the seeming discrepancies between the two sides, it appears that United was sharing with colleagues that it was beginning the process of restarting certification activities, rather than anything formal being in place as yet.  

鈥淲e will continue to see an FAA presence in our operation as they review our work processes, manuals and facilities,鈥� United added in its memo to staff. 

Either way, it is clear that United feels progress has been made since the FAA increased its oversight of the airline in March 2024. 

Among the most high-profile safety incidents that led to the FAA精东影业 increased scrutiny of United was a Boeing 777-200 that lost a tire shortly after takeoff from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) on March 7, 2024, and a Boeing 737 MAX 8 that veered off the runway at Houston-George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) on March 8, 2024.     

In a message to United customers on March 18, 2024, United CEO Scott Kirby said that the incidents 鈥渉ave our attention and have sharpened our focus鈥�.听听听听听听听

Federal office to assess FAA精东影业 actions to address maintenance at United Airlines

• Aviation Safety

byIan Molyneaux

May 10, 2024

United Airlines has expressed serious concerns about the footage and confirmed that two of its pilots have been removed from duty while it investigates the incident.听听

鈥淲e鈥檙e deeply disturbed by what we see in that video, which appears to show an unauthorized person in the flight deck at cruise altitude while the autopilot was engaged,鈥� United Airlines said in a statement. 

The airline added: 鈥淎s a clear violation of our safety and operational policies, we鈥檝e reported the incident to the FAA and have withheld the pilots from service while we conduct an investigation.鈥� 

According to , the footage was taken during a flight chartered by the Colorado Rockies baseball team on April 10, 2024, between Denver Airport (DEN) and Toronto Pearson Airport (YYZ) in Canada.听

In the video, the cockpit door is seen open as a man sits in the captain精东影业 seat next to the first officer.  

A woman is filming the interaction while joking with the man in the captain精东影业 seat about landing the aircraft.  

A fourth person, who appears to be another passenger, then enters the flightdeck. 

It is against both United Airlines rules and FAA regulations for unauthorized people to enter the cockpit during flight.  

The incident comes at a time when the FAA is already increasing its scrutiny of United Airlines following a spike in safety incidents over recent weeks.    

In a request from CNN to the FAA for comment about the latest incident, the agency said it could not comment on open investigations.  

鈥淔ederal regulations restrict flight deck access to specific individuals,鈥� the FAA remarked. 

FAA increases oversight of United Airlines after spike in safety incidents

• Aviation Safety

byIan Molyneaux

March 24, 2024

According to , the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) wrote to pilot members working for United Airlines to advise them of the proposal.听

鈥淒ue to recent changes to our Boeing deliveries, the remaining 2024 forecast block hours for United have been significantly reduced,鈥� ALPA said in a note to members on March 29, 2024. 鈥淲hile the delivery issues surround our 787 and 737 fleets, the impact will affect other fleets as well.鈥� 

United pilots were asked if they wished to take unpaid leave in May 2024. However, ALPA said further time off may be offered 鈥渇or the summer bid periods and potentially into the fall.鈥� 

United Airlines is one Boeing精东影业 largest customers and has been severely affected by the planemaker having to manage the fallout from the Alaska Airlines 737 MAX 9 plug door blowout.  

Since the aviation accident on January 5, 2024, Boeing has faced huge scrutiny from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to improve safety and must deliver a comprehensive plan to the FAA that addresses “systemic quality-control issues” at the company. 

Following the Alaska Airlines incident the FAA placed a restriction on the number of 737 aircraft that Boeing could produce each month.  

United CEO Scott Kirby has been one of the most vocal critics of Boeing in recent weeks and has instructed the planemaker to build more 737 MAX 9 aircraft for the carrier, rather than focus on the MAX 10.听

鈥淲e鈥檝e asked Boeing to stop building Max 10s, which they鈥檝e done, for us and start building Max 9s. It精东影业 impossible to say when the Max 10 is going to get certified,鈥� Kirby told a JPMorgan investor conference on March 12, 2024.  

United has an outstanding order for 277 Boeing 737 MAX 10 aircraft, plus another 200 options. 

鈥淲e can confirm that due to the recent delays in Boeing deliveries, our forecasted block hours for 2024 have been reduced and we are offering our pilots voluntary programs for the month of May to reduce excess staffing,” United said in a statement regarding unpaid leave for pilots.听

United tells Boeing to swap 737 MAX 10 build for MAX 9s; A321 talks confirmed听

• Aircraft
• Airlines

byIan Molyneaux

March 13, 2024

United Airlines confirmed that the time-saving, in-demand overhead bins will be fitted on 50 Embraer E175s with a 76-seat configuration by the end of 2024.  

However, United said it may choose to expand the project and install larger overhead bins on more than 150 aircraft by the end of 2026.   

鈥淯nited is the first airline to offer these larger overhead bins on E175 airplanes and estimates this move will nearly eliminate the need for one million annual passengers to gate-check bags on more than 150,000 E175 flights,鈥� the airline said. 

United now has more than 200 mainline aircraft outfitted with bins large enough to fit every passenger’s carry-on bag and is in the process of retrofitting its domestic narrowbody fleet. 

“Customer sentiment for the new overhead bins and signature interiors has been extremely positive. By helping to eliminate the need to gate check bags, we are seeing an increase in gate and boarding satisfaction,” Linda Jojo, United’s Chief Customer Officer, said. “This is just the latest way we’re working to create an industry-leading experience for all our customers 鈥� whether they’re on an international or regional flight.” 

Every E175 aircraft outfitted with these overhead bins will also have braille and tactile placards that enhance accessibility, part of a larger initiative the airline announced in 2023. 

United Airlines and United Express operate an average of more than 4,000 flights a day to over 350 airports across six continents.  

is the world’s largest E175 operator and flies more than 700 daily departures to more than 140 destinations as United Express. 

SkyWest boosts United Airlines fleet with further 20 Embraer E175 jets听

• Aircraft
• Airlines

byIan Molyneaux

March 4, 2024

鈥淒ue to recent safety events, the FAA is increasing oversight of United Airlines to ensure that it is complying with safety regulations; identifying hazards and mitigating risk; and effectively managing safety,鈥� a spokesperson for the FAA said.  

The FAA also announced that certification processes may also be delayed based on results from the increase in oversight. 

鈥淐ertification activities in process may be allowed to continue, but future projects may be delayed based on findings from oversight,鈥� the FAA said. 

While the FAA did not specify what processes may be delayed it has been reported that United could be prevented from adding new routes.  

In a message to United Airlines staff on March 22, 2024, vice president of corporate safety at the airline, Sasha Johnson, advised employees of the FAA精东影业 decision.  

鈥淲e will begin to see more of an FAA presence in our operation as they begin to review some of our work processes, manuals and facilities. We welcome their engagement and are very open to hear from them about what they find and their perspective on things we may need to change to make us even safer,” Johnson said according to the . 听

The FAA said that it 鈥渞outinely鈥� monitored airlines鈥� operations in the interest of safety. 

In a听message to United Airlines customers on March 18, 2024, CEO Scott Kirby said that the incidents 鈥渉ave our attention and have sharpened our focus鈥�.听 听

JUST IN: In a new letter to United customers, CEO Scott Kirby says March incidents "have our attention and have sharpened our focus."

Now the airline is adding an extra day of pilot training and retooling training for new mechanics.

— Pete Muntean (@petemuntean)

Among the most high-profile safety incidents in recent weeks was a听Boeing 777-200 that lost a tire shortly听after takeoff from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) on March 7, 2024, and a听Boeing 737 MAX 8 that veered off the runway听at Houston-George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) on March 8, 2024.听 听

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) also published a preliminary听report into an incident involving 鈥渟tuck鈥� rudders on a United Boeing 737 MAX 8.听 听听

The 737-8 landed at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) on February 6, 2024, when the captain reported that during the landing rollout, the rudder pedals failed to move in response to the 鈥渘ormal鈥� application.    

鈥淯nfortunately, in the past few weeks, our airline has experienced a number of incidents that are reminders of the importance of safety. While they are all unrelated, I want you to know that these incidents have our attention and have sharpened our focus,鈥� Kirby wrote in the message to customers.听听听

Other United Airlines incidents in 2024:  

• United Airlines Boeing听737-800 lands in Oregon with missing fuselage panel听
• United Airlines听B777-300 bound for SFO returns to Sydney听after mechanical issues听
• United Airlines听pilot diverts Boeing 737 as flames burst from engine听
• United A321neo听fleet grounded due to issue over passenger 鈥楴o Smoking鈥� signs听
• United Airlines B737-800 flight diverted after crack in windshield found 

Airline bosses to meet with Boeing, FBI reaches out to Alaska 737-9 鈥榲ictims鈥櫶�

• Airlines
• Aviation Safety

byIan Molyneaux

March 22, 2024

In the message to United Airlines customers on March 18, 2024, CEO Scott Kirby said that the incidents 鈥渉ave our attention and have sharpened our focus鈥�. 

Among the most high-profile safety incidents in recent weeks was a Boeing 777-200 that lost a tire shortly after takeoff from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) on March 7, 2024, and a Boeing 737 MAX 8 that veered off the runway at Houston-George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) on March 8, 2024.听

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) also published a preliminary report into an incident involving 鈥渟tuck鈥� rudders on a United Boeing 737 MAX 8.听 听

The 737-8 landed at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) on February 6, 2024, when the captain reported that during the landing rollout, the rudder pedals failed to move in response to the 鈥渘ormal鈥� application.   

鈥淯nfortunately, in the past few weeks, our airline has experienced a number of incidents that are reminders of the importance of safety. While they are all unrelated, I want you to know that these incidents have our attention and have sharpened our focus,鈥� Kirby wrote in the message to customers.  

The CEO said that the airline is reviewing each incident to understand what happened and using any insights to 鈥渋nform鈥� safety training.听听

JUST IN: In a new letter to United customers, CEO Scott Kirby says March incidents "have our attention and have sharpened our focus."

Now the airline is adding an extra day of pilot training and retooling training for new mechanics.

— Pete Muntean (@petemuntean)

Additionally, the airline is already planning an extra in-house day of training for all its pilots starting in May 2024, and a centralized training curriculum for all new maintenance technicians.  

鈥淲e empower our team to speak up and raise their hand if they see something wrong. You can be confident that every time a United plane pulls away from the gate, everyone on our team is working together to keep you safe on your trip,鈥� Kirby wrote.听听

He concluded the message by writing: 鈥淚鈥檓 confident we鈥檒l learn the right lessons from these incidents and continue to run an operation that puts safety first and makes our employees and customers proud.鈥澨�

Other United Airlines incidents in 2024:听听

• United Airlines Boeing 737-800 lands in Oregon with missing fuselage panel听
• United Airlines B777-300 bound for SFO returns to Sydney after mechanical issues听
• United Airlines pilot diverts Boeing 737 as flames burst from engine听
• United A321neo fleet grounded due to issue over passenger 鈥楴o Smoking鈥� signs听
• United Airlines B737-800 flight diverted after crack in windshield found听

United Airlines pilot prompts NTSB probe into Boeing 737 MAX 8 rudder defect

• Airlines

byIan Molyneaux

March 8, 2024

The Boeing 737-8, registered N47280, landed at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) on February 6, 2024, when the captain reported that during the landing rollout, the rudder pedals failed to move in response to the 鈥渘ormal鈥� application.听

The pilot said that while trying to maintain the runway centerline the pedals remained in their neutral position resulting in the nosewheel steering tiller being used until the aircraft slowed to a safe taxi speed. 

The first officer also reported the same problem when he was asked by the captain to test his rudder pedals. 

In a statement given to the NTSB the captain said that the pedals began working as normal shortly after. 

A review of preliminary flight data recorder (FDR) data showed that around 30 seconds after touchdown, a 鈥渟ignificant pedal force input was observed along with corresponding rudder surface movement.鈥� 

On February 9, 2024, following the 737-8 being removed from service, United conducted a test flight in which the same rudder system malfunction was identified, and the NTSB was subsequently notified of the issue. 

鈥淧ost-incident troubleshooting and inspection of the rudder control system found no obvious malfunctions with the system or any of its components whose failure would have resulted in the restricted movement observed during flight 1539 and the test flight,鈥� the NTSB said in its preliminary report. 

The decision was then made to remove the aft rudder input torque tube and associated upper and lower bearings and the rudder rollout guidance servo for further examination by the NTSB systems group. 

鈥淔ollowing the removal of the rudder system components, UAL conducted a second test flight on the airplane and found the rudder control system operated normally,鈥� the NTSB explained in its report. 

On February 28, 2024, the SVO-730 rollout guidance servo was tested at the Collins Aerospace facility in Cedar Rapids. 

鈥淭he testing was conducted to evaluate the effects that temperature 鈥渃old soaking鈥� of the servo might have on the torque required to move the servo精东影业 output crank arm,鈥� according to the .听

At room temperature the inspectors found no issue with the rollout guidance servo, but after the unit was cold soaked for one hour, testing found that the torque to move the servo精东影业 output crank arm was 鈥渟ignificantly beyond the specified design limits鈥�. 

鈥淏ecause the servo output crank arm is mechanically connected to the rudder input torque tube, the restricted movement of the servo精东影业 output crank arm would prevent the rudder pedals from moving as observed during flight 1539 and the test flight. Further examination of the SVO-730 rollout guidance servo will be conducted as the investigation continues.,鈥� the NTSB concluded in its preliminary report. 

N47280 is a four-year-old aircraft and was delivered to United Airlines on February 20, 2023.听听

United Airlines pilot diverts Boeing 737 as flames burst from engine: video听

• Airlines

byIan Molyneaux

March 6, 2024

After fighting broke out in the region between Israelis and Palestinians in October 2023, many international operators took the decision to stop flying to Israel 

However, United Airlines has confirmed that from March 2, 2024, flights to TLV from ERW will resume with a stop in Munich to ensure all service providers are 鈥渞eady to support non-stop service to and from Newark鈥�.听

Following the first flight, the next scheduled trip is planned for March 4, 2024 鈥� there will be no services on March 3, 2024, or March 5, 2024. 

Then from March 6, 2024, United said it will relaunch a daily nonstop service to the Israeli coastal city.  

United said in a statement on February 21, 2024, that it had carried out a 鈥渄etailed safety analysis鈥� with help from security experts and government officials in the US and Israel before announcing the resumption of flights.  

“This is the first step in restoring passenger and cargo service and comes after tireless collaboration between security experts and government officials, as well as the Air Line Pilots Association and the Association of Flight Attendants, to develop protocols to ensure our employees and customers are safe and well-informed,” United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby wrote in a LinkedIn post.  

United will continue to monitor the situation in Tel Aviv and adjust the schedule if the need arises. But if all goes as planned, the carrier hopes to add another daily flight from ERW to TLV in May 2024.  

Previous operations from San Francisco Airport (SFO), Washington Dulles Airport (IAD) and Chicago O’Hare Airport (ORD) will be evaluated for resumption in autumn.听

It is understood that Delta Air Lines is looking to restart flights to Israel in May 2024 while American Airlines will not fly there until at least October 2024. 

Lufthansa, Swiss, Austrian, Aegean and Air France have already restarted services to Israel.听听

International airlines plan the return of passenger air services to Israel听听

• Airlines

byLuke Peters

January 9, 2024

So far, four US airlines made the decision to temporarily halt services from the US to Ecuador精东影业 airports: American Airlines, JetBlue, Spirit Airlines and United Airlines.

Airlines like LATAM have extended flexibility for passengers traveling between January 9 and 14, 2024.

The US Bureau of Consular Affairs also announced that the US Embassy and Consulate in Ecuador and Consulate have canceled routine consular appointments until January 12, 2024.

The Bureau also currently classified Ecuador as Level 2, which means those who plan to travel to the country must exercise 鈥渋ncreased caution鈥�.

What is happening in Ecuador?

On January 8, 2024, Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa, who had been in office for only two months, declared a nationwide state of emergency for a period of 60 days following the escape of high-profile, notorious gang leader Adolfo Macias.

Criminal groups took 130 prison staff hostage, while armed men from gangs stormed a TV station and held journalists at gunpoint during a live broadcast. Both events occurred in Guayaquil, the country精东影业 largest and most crime-ridden city.

Noboa declared war against the gangs, dubbing 22 鈥渢errorist鈥� organizations, making them official military targets.

Some US airline crew remain stranded in Ecuador and a social media user, who identifies himself as a union pilot, shared a text message exchange with a colleague who told him that flight crews at the airport have been kidnapped.

Aviation blog site View From the Wing reported that a JetBlue crewmember claimed the airline is sending guards to sit outside of their hotel rooms in Guayaquil.

The Ecuadorian Ministry of Tourism has recommended that tourists still in the country remain inside their hotels or accommodation until further notice.

Ecuadorian startup Ecuatoriana Airlines postpones launch date

• Airlines

byGabriele Petrauskaite

September 28, 2021

According to an order by the (USDOT)听from September 1 both the US and China will be allowed to operate an extra听six weekly round-trip flights. 听

This will then increase to 24 flights for each country from October 29, 2023, split between American, Delta, and United and six Chinese carriers. The number of flights is currently limited to 12 flights a week for each nation.  

鈥淭he consistent engagement by USDOT and the State Department with Chinese officials made this important step forward possible. Our overriding goal is an improved environment wherein the carriers of both parties are able to exercise fully their bilateral rights to maintain a competitive balance and fair and equal opportunity among U.S. and Chinese air carriers,鈥� the USDOT said. 

Following the announcement on August 11, 2023, United confirmed it will resume daily flying between听San Francisco听and听Beijing听this November and will increase flying to听Shanghai听with daily flights from听San Francisco, starting听October 1, 2023.听

The airline Said that the 鈥渆nhancements to United’s Asia Pacific schedule are enabled by agreement between the governments of the US and China to increase flights between the two countries鈥�. 

“We are grateful for this positive step forward in US – China passenger air services, and we thank the many officials from both countries who partnered to make this reinstatement of air service possible,” said Patrick Quayle, senior vice president of Global Network Planning and Alliances at United. “This announcement is good news for United customers because we believe that a daily flight to Beijing and a daily flight to Shanghai from San Francisco is consistent with the demand we see in the market right now 鈥� especially since our ability to serve China nonstop from our mid-continent hubs or the East Coast is severely limited by Russian overflight restrictions.” 

AirAsia expands fleet with arrival of four brand new Airbus A321neo aircraft

• Airlines

byIan Molyneaux

August 1, 2024