United Airlines' Jfk Airport Operations: Do They Land?

United Airlines has a long history with New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), but the airline has faced challenges in maintaining its presence at this busy travel hub. Despite previously withdrawing from JFK in 2015, United returned to the airport in 2021 during the pandemic, taking advantage of temporary slots available due to reduced demand. However, as demand recovered, United struggled to secure permanent slots, ultimately leading to their decision to suspend flights from JFK once again in late October 2022. This move highlights the competitive nature of the aviation industry and the challenges airlines face in securing desirable schedules and slots at popular airports like JFK.

United Airlines' JFK history

United Airlines has a long history with New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK). The airline was one of the first to secure a site lease with the Port Authority and had a 27-acre site in the northwest area of Terminal City. The United Airlines terminal, which opened in October 1959, was the first to be specifically designed for Jet Age travel, with boarding bridges and parallel parking for aircraft.

In the early days of its operation at JFK, United Airlines connected the airport with San Francisco and Los Angeles. However, in 2015, the airline pulled out of JFK, swapping slots with Delta Air Lines. This decision was later dubbed a "strategic mistake" by current CEO Scott Kirby, as it caused United to lose important corporate contracts.

During the pandemic, United Airlines returned to JFK in March 2021, taking advantage of additional slots that had become available due to reduced traffic. However, the service was limited, with only two daily flights to and from each of the airline's West Coast hubs.

In October 2022, after just 19 months, United Airlines once again suspended its services at JFK, citing a small schedule and increased competition from other airlines. The airline's primary hub in the New York City area is now Newark Liberty International Airport, where it operates up to nine daily flights to Los Angeles and San Francisco. Despite no longer operating at JFK, United Airlines continues to have a presence in the New York area, with flights also departing from LaGuardia Airport.

Why United Airlines left JFK

United Airlines has had an on-and-off relationship with New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK). The airline first pulled out of the airport in 2015 under the direction of former CEO Jeff Smisek. This move was later dubbed a “strategic mistake” by current CEO Scott Kirby, as it caused United to lose important corporate contracts.

United Airlines briefly returned to JFK in 2021, during the pandemic, using temporary slots that became available due to the pandemic. However, the airline always knew that these slots were not permanent, and it would need to acquire more to be competitive. United urged the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to increase capacity at JFK, arguing that the number of hourly slots had not increased since 2008 despite improvements to the airport's infrastructure.

In a memo, United Airlines stated that if additional slots were not granted, they would be forced to suspend service at JFK. Unfortunately, their requests for more slots were not initially granted, and United announced it would "temporarily" leave JFK with the onset of the Winter 2022/23 season. The airline's small schedule, coupled with increased competition from other airlines during the winter season, made it challenging for United to maintain its presence at JFK.

United Airlines' departure from JFK resulted in the loss of important corporate contracts and impacted customers, particularly those who relied on the airline's services from that airport. However, the airline continues to operate primarily out of Newark Liberty International Airport, where it is the largest carrier, and also maintains a limited presence at LaGuardia Airport in New York. Despite United's challenges at JFK, the airline remains committed to pursuing a bigger and more desirable schedule for its customers and seizing new opportunities as they arise.

United Airlines' primary hub in NYC

United Airlines does not fly to New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK). The airline previously served JFK for many years, but it pulled out of the airport in 2015. United briefly returned to JFK in 2021 during the pandemic, but it was unable to secure enough slots to compete with other airlines, and it officially suspended flights again in October 2022.

United's primary hub in the New York City area is now Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), where it is the largest carrier and accounts for over 68% of the airport's traffic. The airline operates up to nine daily flights from Newark to destinations such as Los Angeles and San Francisco, using a mix of aircraft, including the Boeing 757, 777, and 787. United has a limited presence at LaGuardia Airport, another major airport in the New York City area.

United's decision to suspend flights at JFK was influenced by several factors. Firstly, the airline had a small schedule and faced competition from other major airlines such as Delta Air Lines, JetBlue, and American Airlines, which dominated the schedules at JFK. United struggled to secure enough slots at the airport, which are essentially permissions granted by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to allow airlines to land or depart at capacity-constrained airports.

Additionally, United's focus on its hub at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) played a role in its decision. The airline believed that it could serve most passengers through EWR instead of JFK. However, United's CEO, Scott Kirby, later acknowledged that pulling out of JFK was a mistake, as it impacted their ability to capture the New York market effectively.

Despite United's departure from JFK, the airport remains a major domestic and international hub. In 2023, it was the sixth-busiest airport in the US, processing more than 63 million passengers. It is also the country's largest airport in terms of international passenger traffic.

JFK's slot restrictions

JFK International Airport is one of the busiest airports in the US. It is also the country's largest by international passenger traffic. As a result, the airport is subject to slot restrictions.

A slot is an authorization for a flight to use a runway at a busy airport for either a takeoff or a landing. Slots are granted by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to allow airlines to land or depart at a given time at capacity-constrained airports, including JFK. These slots are highly sought-after, and competition for them is fierce.

In 2008, the FAA placed temporary limits on scheduled operations at JFK, which has been extended several times and is currently active through October 24, 2026. Under the amended Order, the FAA limits the hourly scheduled operations to 81 during the slot-controlled hours of 06:00 to 22:59 (EST), Sunday through Saturday.

A carrier must use the allocated slot at least 80% of the time for the same flight or series of flights throughout the period for which it is allocated. This requirement allows the FAA to track the use of a slot and manage air traffic.

The slot restrictions at JFK have had a direct impact on United Airlines' operations. The airline has a small schedule and faces competition from other airlines like Delta Air Lines, JetBlue, and American Airlines, which dominate the schedules at JFK. United Airlines had been working with the FAA to acquire more slots, but in 2022, the airline decided to suspend its services at JFK temporarily. The suspension of flights was due to the airline losing the slots that allowed it to operate from JFK. United's decision was also influenced by the challenge of competing with other airlines during the winter season when more airlines operate their slots.

United Airlines' future plans for JFK

United Airlines has had a tumultuous relationship with JFK Airport in recent years. The airline briefly returned to JFK in 2021 after a six-year absence, but this stint was short-lived, and by early 2023, United had once again suspended all flights from the airport.

United Airlines' decision to leave JFK in 2015 was a strategic move to focus on Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), which has since become one of its biggest hubs. The airline's CEO, Scott Kirby, has acknowledged that the initial withdrawal was a "'strategic mistake'", as it cost United important corporate contracts. However, the competition at JFK from airlines like Delta, JetBlue, and American Airlines, which dominate the schedules, makes it challenging for United to secure a competitive position.

Despite the challenges, United Airlines has expressed a desire to pursue a "bigger and more desirable schedule" for its customers and seize opportunities at JFK if they arise. The airline's post-pandemic recovery and pursuit of expansion may position it to acquire more slots at JFK in the future.

In the near term, United Airlines' focus remains on its primary hub in the New York City area, Newark Liberty International Airport, where it controls a significant portion of the slots and accounts for over 68% of the airport's traffic. The airline has heavily invested in upgrading the customer experience at Newark, including check-in areas and retail spaces, and expanding the Polaris lounge for international business-class passengers.

While United Airlines has not shared specific future plans for JFK, it seems that the airline is committed to strengthening its position at Newark and improving its overall competitiveness in the New York market. Should opportunities for expansion at JFK present themselves, United may be poised to reconsider its presence at the airport.

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