Here’s what we know about how the Federal Aviation Administration’s plan to reduce flights at dozens of major airports as early as Friday will impact United Airlines’ service at Newark Liberty International Airport.
It’s not certain it will happen at all: The reduction only will happen if the government shutdown continues – and that’s suddenly uncertain after President Donald Trump called for its end in the wake of the Republican party’s big election loses Tuesday (including Mikie Sherrill’s romp in the New Jersey governor’s race).
Refunds will be available
United CEO Scott Kirby said the carrier will offer full refunds (on any flight for any customer) if a reduction of flights is instituted on Friday.
If it does happen, it certainly will impact Newark Liberty: No specifics were given yet, but when the pledge is to cut 10% of air traffic at the 40 “busy airports,” Newark certainly will be involved and those cuts certainly will include United Airlines (expect more details, likely as soon as today).
United’s long-haul schedule will not be impacted: That’s straight from United CEO Scott Kirby, in a note to staff late Wednesday night that was viewed by BINJE.
Long-haul service generally involves flights of at least six hours.
“United’s long-haul international flying and our hub-to-hub flying will not be impacted by this schedule reduction direction from the FAA,” he wrote – putting the phrase ‘will not’ in bold. “That’s important to maintain the integrity of our network, give impacted customers as many options as possible to resume their trip, and sustain our crew pairing systems.
“Instead, we will focus our schedule reductions on regional flying and domestic mainline flights that do not travel between our hubs.”
Kirby told the team that the FAA’s goal is to relieve pressure on the aviation system so that we can all continue to operate safely.
“That is the FAA’s highest priority, and ours as well,” he wrote. “No matter what environment we’re operating in, we will not compromise on safety.”
Kirby said the carrier will continue to make rolling updates to our schedule as the government shutdown continues to give customers several days’ advance notice and to minimize disruption for them.
He noted the airline will use its app, website and push notifications to communicate to customers directly if their flight changes, and to offer rebooking options.
“We want to provide them with as much information as we can and in a way that’s simple and easy to understand,” he said.
Kirby wrote that even with these schedule reductions, United and its United Express partners will still offer about 4,000 flights per day. He also noted that because of the early November timing, United’s flights have more seats available than in the summer, meaning the airline should be able to find seats for many customers even if their flight is canceled.
All this comes at a time when the airline is greatly enhancing its service and experience.
There is a push to use more sustainable fuel and increase WiFi access on flights. And a push to improve pre-flight experience, as evident by the airline’s new Polaris lounge in Newark, which was expanded earlier this year.
