American Airlines, United Airlines and Delta Air Lines have suspended flights to Israel amid rising violence in the conflict between Israel and Palestinians.

Israeli airstrikes hit Gaza, and Palestinian militants in Gaza fired rockets at targets in Israel, including the main airport in Tel Aviv.

United Airlines canceled flights from Chicago, Newark and San Francisco through Saturday. A spokeswoman said United will let customers booked on Tel Aviv flights through May 25 change their itineraries without paying a higher fare.

American Airlines canceled its daily flight from New York to Tel Aviv on Wednesday and Thursday and offered to put passengers on flights at later dates, according to an airline spokesman. Delta canceled flights from New York to Tel Aviv through Thursday.

Company representatives said the airlines were monitoring the situation for when they might resume the flights.

Read more by Associated Press …..

United Airlines is growing its transatlantic presence later this year with a newly-announced route between Boston and London, UK.

Only one daily flight will serve the route with an overnight evening departure from Boston Logan International Airport at 10:00 p.m. arriving at London’s Heathrow Airport the next morning at 9:35 a.m. The return flight then departs London at 5:00 p.m. for a 7:30 p.m. arrival in Boston. 

“We are thrilled to offer travelers a convenient, non-stop option between Boston and London with this addition to our global network,” Patrick Quayle, United’s vice president of international network and alliances, said. 

Operating the flight will be United’s Boeing 767-300ER, a wide-body aircraft, with an ultra-premium three-class interior. Passengers will be able to choose from the airline’s Polaris business class, Premium Plus premium economy class, and economy class. 

Read more by Thomas Pallini ……..

According to reports, United Airlines is exploring options for outsourcing its inflight catering to a third party. The airline sent a request for proposals today for both kitchen operations and its menu selections. We’ve looked at outsourcing in more detail. Like many airlines, the last year has been difficult for United. It might seem counterintuitive to think that outsourcing saves money; after all, why pay someone else to do something you’re already doing? But in the long run, outsourcing catering can have huge financial benefits. And United needs to save money where it can.

Read more …. by Emily Derrick

Flying during the pandemic has been a bring-your-own food and (soft) drinks affair when traveling in economy.

Airlines ditched or significantly scaled back in-flight food and drink service shortly after the coronavirus crisis began to reduce contact between flight attendants and travelers and the risk of spreading the contagious virus.

The lack of snacks, meals and drinks wasn’t a big deal in the beginning because so few travelers were boarding planes, but as travel slowly starts to rebound, some travelers are wondering when in-flight service will resume, especially on longer flights. (Others wish airlines wouldn’t serve a thing, including water, during the pandemic because it encourages passengers to take their masks off.)

Eight months into the pandemic, United Airlines is tiptoeing back in.

Beginning Nov. 17, the Chicago-based airline plans to start selling food, beer and wine in economy on select flights from its Denver hub. The test will include passengers on flights from Denver to eight destinations: Boston; Chicago; Honolulu; Houston; Los Angeles; Newark, New Jersey; San Francisco; and Washington, D.C.

United is currently only offering economy passengers on domestic flights 2 hours and 20 minutes or longer a complimentary snack bag with two snacks and a small bottle of water. Passengers on all flights receive complimentary soft drinks. No alcohol is available in regular economy and that will remain the case except on the select flights out of Denver.

The decision to start selling food, beer and wine again stems from feedback from customers that in-flight service is “an important part of their travel experience,” United spokeswoman Christine Salamone said.

Read more …….

We’re here for you

It’s important to us that you get the help you need during these rapidly changing times. Right now, there are multiple travel waivers in place. If you want to change, cancel or rebook your flight, you can do so on united.com or the United app.

You can also get the answers you need quickly through our chatbot using the link below. It won’t be able to connect you with an agent, so please contact UA if that’s something you need to do.

Read more …..

Other international service is on the rebound, too. United is boosting flights to Europe from Washington, D.C. and San Francisco. Service is being reopened to Tokyo-Haneda in Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore and Seoul, South Korea, along with expanded service to Latin America and the Caribbean.

Overall, United said its international capacity will be down 75% in July compared to the same month last year, an improvement over the 90% drop this month.

Other airlines also report demand is rebounding.

Read more … by Chris Woodyard USA TODAY

With the COVID-19 pandemic escalating over the last few weeks, airlines have been looking at new measures to help fight the outbreak. In a bid to help protect its employees, United Airlines is producing its own hand sanitizer at its maintenance center in San Francisco.

Read more …..

We announce no change fees for new travel booked through April 30

By United Airlines

March 30, 2020

We know people are taking a second look at their travel plans right now, and we want you to have flexibility when planning your next trip — that’s why when you book a flight with us by April 30, 2020, you can change it for free over the next 12 months. For more information visit our important notices page.

March 20, 2020

We have extended our change fee waiver to cover travel through May 31, 2020:

• You can cancel your flight or change and rebook on united.com or through the app – a phone call is not required
• For the latest on travel restrictions, step-by-step rebooking instructions and health and safety information, go to united.com/coronavirus

March 10, 2020

• If you’re scheduled to travel March 10 – April 30, 2020 and would like to change your plans, there is no fee to do so, regardless of when you purchased your ticket or where you’re traveling. This is in addition to our previous waiver, which waives all change fees – domestic and international – for tickets purchased March 3 – March 31, 2020.
• For more information visit https://www.united.com/ual/en/us/fly/travel/notices.html.

March 3, 2020

We know people are taking a second look at their travel plans right now, and we want you to be able to book your next trip knowing that you can change your plans, if needed. That’s why we’re waiving change fees for any bookings — domestic and international — made between March 3 and March 31, 2020. The waiver applies to all tickets, all fare types, all destinations, all points-of-sale and all travel dates available for sale. For the most up-to-date waiver information regarding change fees and refunds visit https://www.united.com/ual/en/us/fly/travel/notices.html.

• Any ticket purchased between March 3 at 3:00 p.m. CST and March 31, 2020 at 11:59 p.m. CST will not incur change fees.
• This is available for any of United’s published nonrefundable fares.
• If you decide to cancel your flight, you can retain the value of your ticket to be applied to a new ticket without fee for travel up to 12 months from the original issue date.

We are constantly evaluating our schedule as the coronavirus outbreak evolves. Last week we announced that we suspended some service to Tokyo-Narita, Osaka, Singapore and Seoul. Additionally, we have extended the suspension of flights between our U.S. hubs and Beijing, Chengdu, Shanghai and Hong Kong through April 30. We will stay in close contact with the CDC and other health organizations as we continue to evaluate our schedule.

New York (CNN Business)Winter is brutal, and no one can attest to that more than airport employees.United Airlines is hoping to make the cold weather a bitmore bearable for them with durable new uniforms for their 28,000 employees who work primarily outdoors. The airline unveiled new gear designed by Carhartt for its teams who work in ramp services, catering and technical operations.

Read more ….

Last week, United Airlines revealed it is teaming up with the Star Wars film franchise to add a “Star Wars” plane to its fleet. The re-liveried B737-800 will also include an enhanced cabin.

Read more ….