United Airlines
A major full-service U.S. network carrier linking its domestic hub system with an extensive international network and operating one of the world’s largest airline fleets.
About United Airlines
United Airlines traces its origins to Varney Air Lines, founded in 1926, and adopted the United name during the consolidation of several early aviation companies in 1931. The airline is the principal operating subsidiary of publicly traded United Airlines Holdings and retains a strong identity as one of the United States’ three largest full-service network carriers.
United operates a multi-hub network, with New York, Houston, Chicago, Denver and Washington providing its greatest concentrations of departing routes. Its schedule spans 441 destinations across 98 countries and encompasses 2,776 routes. The network combines extensive domestic coverage with services to Canada, Latin America, Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia and destinations across the Pacific.
The airline operates a large mixed fleet built primarily around Boeing 737, 757, 767, 777 and 787 aircraft and Airbus A319, A320 and A321 families. Recorded aircraft include the Boeing 787-8 and several Airbus narrow-body types, while route records also contain ATR, A310, A330 and A340 designations. Depending on the aircraft and route, cabins may include United Polaris business class, United Premium Plus, United First, Economy Plus and standard economy.
United was a founding member of Star Alliance in 1997, giving eligible passengers access to a broad global network of partner airlines, lounges and reciprocal benefits. Its frequent-flyer programme, MileagePlus, allows members to earn and redeem miles with United and participating partners. Premier status tiers provide benefits that can include priority airport services, upgrades and additional baggage allowances, subject to route and fare conditions.
A major strength is the breadth of United’s network, particularly for travellers connecting between North America and long-haul international markets. Its hub structure also creates many one-stop itinerary options. The trade-off is that connection experiences, cabin products and onboard amenities can vary considerably by airport, aircraft type and route, so passengers should check the operating aircraft and connection time before booking.
Good to know
Flying with United Airlines — what to expect
Multi-Hub Connections
United’s network is organized around several major U.S. hubs, so many itineraries require a connection. Allow extra time at large airports, particularly when changing terminals or completing immigration formalities.
Cabins Vary
Seat design, entertainment and power availability can differ by aircraft and route. Review the aircraft type and seat map before selecting a flight.
Check Fare Rules
United sells several economy fare types with different flexibility, seat-selection and boarding conditions. Basic Economy is generally the most restrictive, so compare the rules before purchase.
Baggage Conditions
Checked-baggage fees and allowances depend on the route, cabin, fare, MileagePlus status and eligible credit-card benefits. Confirm the allowance shown for your itinerary rather than assuming every United fare includes a checked bag.
Alliance Benefits
United’s Star Alliance membership can provide reciprocal lounge access, priority services and mileage benefits for eligible status holders. Access depends on membership tier, cabin and itinerary.
Long-Haul Service
United Polaris is the airline’s premium business-class product on qualifying international services, while Premium Plus is available on selected aircraft. Product availability should be verified for each flight segment.
Network overview
Where United Airlines flies
United Airlines operates 2,776 routes to 441 destinations across 98 countries, its longest sector reaching New York to Hong Kong (12,959 km nonstop).
Destinations served
Cities United Airlines flies to, most-served first.
Main hubs
Busiest departure bases, by route count.
Fleet
Aircraft types on record for these routes.
Longest nonstop route
New York → Hong Kong
12,959 km · EWR → HKG
The longest sector in the United Airlines network, measured as the great-circle distance between the two airports.
Route data · TravelPayouts route data · updated 2026-07
Route network
Popular routes operated by United Airlines
Tracked United Airlines routes touch Uganda, Japan, United States, Qatar, United Kingdom, Sudan, Ethiopia, South Korea and 2 more countries.
KGL - EBBKigali → Entebbe0h 53m340 kmLAX - NRTLos Angeles → Tokyo10h 34m8,753 kmNRT - LAXTokyo → Los Angeles10h 34m8,753 kmBAH - DOHBahrain → Doha0h 40m145 kmLAX - LHRLos Angeles → London10h 34m8,761 kmLHR - LAXLondon → Los Angeles10h 34m8,761 kmADD - KRTAddis Ababa → Khartoum1h 39m1,000 kmKRT - ADDKhartoum → Addis Ababa1h 39m1,000 kmICN - NRTSeoul → Tokyo1h 57m1,257 kmNRT - ICNTokyo → Seoul1h 57m1,257 kmDOH - BAHDoha → Bahrain0h 40m145 kmLAS - LAXLas Vegas → Los Angeles0h 56m381 kmLAX - SFOLos Angeles → San Francisco1h 8m544 kmLAX - SYDLos Angeles → Sydney14h 22m12,060 kmMEL - SYDMelbourne → Sydney1h 19m706 kmReviews of United Airlines
TripAdvisor · 2023–2024- 57
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What travellers flew
Counted from the 50 reviews below — a tally of the flights reviewed, with each chip carrying the average score those reviewers gave. Nothing here reads their prose or summarises what they said.
✓ marks a group averaging 7/10 or better, − one averaging 4/10 or worse, across at least three reviews.
Rude and unprofessional staff
I don't understand why the entire process from check in to baggage claims is such a horrendous experience. Why are American crewmembers so unprofessional and discourteous? The planes are so much dirtier than airliners from other countries. Inflight meals are… See more disgusting. I don't ever purchase meals.
See lessPosted January 2024 by Maki
Pathetic airline
Ever since UA adopted the woke philosophy, their business acumen has gone down the toilet. This includes upgrading through their plus points system to basic services, including their Polaris lounge and on board services (not) provided by crew members. I am… See more cutting all business dealings with United Airlines,
See lessPosted December 2023 by owen, Dubai
United Airlines is a great airline for everybody!👍🏻👍🏻👍
On my return flight home from Fort Myers on 12/4/23(this past Monday, two days ago), there were seat back entertainment screens (TVS) and I was entertained the whole flight along with wi-fi. The only thing that happened as we were deplaning in Cleveland was my… See more mom left her wallet on the plane (we were on N16234) in between seats 27A and B. But other then that, United is always and will always be my favorite airline! Keep up the great work, United!👍
See lessPosted December 2023 by Sage Kopp, Cleveland
Mixed bag
UA fails in service. The seat is very comfortable tho no help from setting up for sleep by the flight attendants. Was dressed for a business meeting the next day only to learn pyjamas are no longer on flights less than 14 hrs ( so a 12 hr overnight flight… See more doesnt count?) so had to sleep in my business attire . Service from flight attendants was poor. Meal came on one plate ( so by the time you ate your starters, main course was cold) and all over in 1 hr after takeoff. Despite the attendants offering ice cream for desert it was a pannecotte and not ice cream. When i questioned this, was told thats NZ catering- ok but why call it ice cream. I woke up 1 hr before landing. Had my do not disturb sign on so expected to miss breakfast but no one came around to say good morning or would you like a cup of coffee when i woke 1 hr before landing. Whilst a big improvement on their old business class, theres a long way to go in on board service to justify the cost. Only competition is Air NZ but their business seats are a joke.
See lessPosted October 2023 by pegasusSydney
United is the champion airline in canceling the flights
Our flight was delayed from Boston by more than an hour. Our second flight from DC to CDG was first delayed then cancelled 5 hours later. We did use their Polaris lounge to book our next flight and get the hotel voucher. We were able to leave DC 24 hours… See more later. The hotel United gave us should really be inspected by the board of health, it was disgusting. Our return flight was also delayed by 4 hours. We decided we had enough and will stop transferring our Chase miles to United. Customer service is rude!
See lessPosted August 2023 by Sarah G, Cambridge
Used to be ok, but now they are AWFUL
UA has really stuffed the pooch, this ceo Kirby is malaka , he has watered down their FF program, alienated lifetime loyalists as myself while creating a culture of employees that don’t care , I am a top tier flyer but giving up on them , I told them my… See more concerns and they said that’s ok go elsewhere . Great attitude huh? Plenty of other choices out there with airlines that actually want your business and care about the customer - stay away from UA!
See lessPosted July 2023 by Robbie G
Traveller reviews originally published on TripAdvisor, shown for reference — service standards may have changed since. Originfacts does not edit or verify individual reviews, and the sample reflects who chose to leave one.
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FAQ
United Airlines — frequently asked questions
Quick answers to the details travellers usually check first, from codes and locations to the practical basics that help with planning.
8 common questions
- Fares are often lower when booked outside peak holiday periods and when travel dates are flexible. Compare nearby dates and departure airports, as United’s large hub network can produce significantly different prices for similar journeys.
- Originfacts compares live fares from hundreds of airlines and travel agencies via its partner Travelpayouts. Originfacts never adds a fee.
- United Airlines serves 441 destinations across 98 countries and operates 2,776 routes.
- United Airlines’s longest route is New York to Hong Kong, covering about 12,959 km nonstop.
- United’s largest departure markets by route count are New York, Houston, Chicago, Denver and Washington. These cities anchor much of its domestic and international connecting network.
- United Airlines operates a multi-hub network rather than relying on one primary airport. Its busiest departure hubs by route count are New York, Houston, Chicago, Denver and Washington.
- Most United itineraries permit one standard carry-on bag and one smaller personal item, although restrictions can depend on the fare and route. Check the baggage terms attached to the ticket before travel, especially when booking a restrictive fare or connecting to a partner airline.
- United serves destinations throughout the United States and across Canada, Latin America, Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia and the Pacific. Notable cities include New York, Houston, Chicago, Denver, Washington, San Francisco, Los Angeles and Toronto.