United Airlines will suspend some services following an order from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to reduce flight operations.
To maintain safe operations during the U.S. government shutdown, the FAA and the DOT instructed that flights to and from 40 major U.S. airports be reduced by 10% effective November 7.
United will maintain long-haul international and hub-to-hub routes, while prioritizing reductions on regional routes that do not connect hubs and on major domestic routes. It will update its flight schedules in phases. During this period, United will allow free refunds—including for nonrefundable Basic Economy fares—even for flights that are not affected.
In a statement to employees, United Airlines Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Scott Kirby commented, “Thank you for your extraordinary efforts to keep our customers and employees safe during the government shutdown. Your professionalism and thoughtfulness will become ever more important in the days ahead.”
