Lois Larson
United Airlines is one of the world's largest airlines, serving tens of thousands of flights each year and operating from eight main hub airports. These include Guam's Antonio B. Won Pat International Airport, Los Angeles International Airport, and Washington Dulles International Airport. In 2024, United Airlines expanded its use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) overseas, becoming the first US airline to purchase sustainable jet fuel internationally. United Airlines has also been increasing its capacity at San Francisco International Airport, with plans to add more flights from Houston George Bush Intercontinental Airport.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of main hub airports | 8 |
| Examples of main hub airports | Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD), Guam’s Antonio B. Won Pat International Airport (GUM) |
| Airports with more flights, seats, and capacity | Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG), Manila Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL), Hong Kong International Airport (HKG), and Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) |
| Airports with more flights and seats | Mumbai Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (BOM) |
| Third-busiest hub in terms of flights | Houston George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) |
| Largest East Coast hub | Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) |
| Airport with the second-largest capacity | San Francisco International Airport (SFO) |
| Airport with the first use of sustainable fuel | Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport |
| Airports with sustainable fuel use | San Francisco International Airport, London Heathrow, Chicago O'Hare, Los Angeles International Airport |
| Airport with successful unionization of flight attendants | John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York City |
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What You'll Learn
United Airlines' main hub airports
United Airlines operates flights from over 1,300 airports in 77 countries, with access to over 1,000 lounges. The airline is headquartered in Chicago, and Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) is one of its largest hubs.
United Airlines has added and closed several hubs over the years, including through mergers. Some of its current and former hubs include:
- Houston, a major gateway to the Caribbean, Mexico, Central America, and South America.
- Guam, offering short flights to Japan, the Philippines, and Micronesia.
- Newark, serving destinations worldwide.
- Frankfurt Airport (FRA).
- London Heathrow Airport (LHR), where United Airlines began using sustainable fuel in 2023.
- New York LaGuardia Airport (LGA).
- Sao Paulo Guarulhos International Airport (GRU).
- Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND).
- Tokyo Narita International Airport (NRT), which served as a hub until 2011 but is still used as a flight attendant hub.
United Airlines also has a regional airline network called United Express, which supports its operations by serving smaller cities and connecting them to United's main hubs. United Express operates through partnerships with regional carriers such as CommuteAir, GoJet, Mesa Airlines, Republic Airways, and SkyWest.
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United's use of sustainable aviation fuel
United Airlines has been actively expanding its use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) in recent years. SAF, also known as green jet fuel, is an alternative to conventional jet fuel that can significantly reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. SAF is produced from renewable materials or biomass-like agriculture byproducts, wood residues, and other feedstock supplies, rather than drilled fossil oil.
In 2022, United Airlines became the first US airline to purchase sustainable jet fuel overseas, starting with Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport. The airline then expanded its use of SAF to San Francisco International Airport and London Heathrow in 2023, followed by Chicago O'Hare and Los Angeles International Airport in 2024. Notably, United was the first airline to introduce SAF at O'Hare International Airport, making it the fifth airport in its network to adopt SAF for operational use.
United Airlines has demonstrated its commitment to reducing emissions by securing large volumes of SAF through offtake agreements and investments. By 2024, the airline had secured 2.9 billion gallons of SAF, positioning itself as the top buyer of this clean fuel, according to BloombergNEF data. United has also invested in companies like Alder Fuels (now Alder Renewables) and partnered with SAF producers like Neste to bolster SAF production and supply.
To further its emission goals, United has outlined a comprehensive roadmap that includes operational efficiencies, the introduction of new fuel-efficient planes, and investments in low-carbon onboard products and alternate propulsion technologies. The airline has also formed the Eco-Skies Alliance, where participating companies share the cost of purchasing lower-emission fuels. Through this alliance, more than 10.5 million gallons of SAF have been collectively purchased since 2021.
United Airlines' efforts in sustainable aviation fuel demonstrate its dedication to decarbonizing its operations and contributing to a more sustainable future for the aviation industry. The airline's commitment to net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 underscores its long-term vision for a greener aviation landscape.
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United Airlines' largest pilot group
United Airlines is a major US carrier that has ranked among the largest airlines in the world since its founding in the late 1920s. The airline has a fleet of 1,027 mainline aircraft, the largest of any airline worldwide. United Airlines serves 369 airports in 77 countries, including 220 domestic destinations and 149 international destinations. The airline's eight hubs include Chicago–O'Hare, Denver, Guam, Houston–Intercontinental, Los Angeles, and Newark.
United Airlines has over 17,500 pilots, making it the largest pilot group in the world. The pilots are represented by the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), which was founded in Chicago, Illinois, in 1931 by United Air Lines Captain David L. Behncke and 23 other key figures. ALPA's main goal has been to improve air safety since its inception. United Airlines also has an industry-leading pilot career development program called Aviate®, which offers aspiring and established pilots a secure path to a United flight deck. The airline plans to hire more than 10,000 pilots in the next decade and has the largest fleet of wide-body aircraft in North America.
United Aviate's Flight Training Center (FTC) in Denver is the world’s largest and the industry’s leading airline training facility. The centre provides training for over 20 other airlines and government agencies. United Aviate also has a unique pilot development program that matches pilots of different experience levels, making knowledge-sharing easy and personalized.
United Airlines was one of the first major proponents of airline deregulation in the 1970s and benefited from the post-deregulation decline of Pan American World Airways. The airline expanded its routes and operations through acquisitions and mergers, including with Capital Airlines in 1961 and Continental Airlines in 2010. United was also one of the five airlines to launch Star Alliance in 1997, the first global airline alliance.
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United Airlines' most important cities
United Airlines is a major airline in the United States, headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. It operates an extensive domestic and international network across the United States and six continents, serving more destinations than any other airline.
The airline's largest hub, in terms of flights and seats, is Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD). However, Denver International Airport (DEN) has been the prime airport for the airline since late 2020 and will remain so in 2024. Houston George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) is also a key hub, with United Airlines planning to add thousands of new flights from this airport in 2024, mainly short-haul domestic itineraries.
San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is another important hub for United Airlines, with the airline planning significant growth in capacity in 2024. Newark Airport, while having fewer ASKs, also plays a key role in United's operations by running shorter routes.
Outside of the United States, United Airlines has expanded its use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) to Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport, becoming the first US airline to purchase sustainable jet fuel overseas. The airline also uses sustainable fuel at London Heathrow Airport.
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United Airlines' international routes
United Airlines serves 220 domestic destinations and 149 international destinations in 77 countries, as of May 2025. The airline serves more than 1,300 airports with access to over 1,000 lounges in 195 countries.
United Airlines offers flights to the following international destinations:
- St. John's, Antigua
- Calgary
- Edmonton
- Halifax
- Montreal
- Ottawa
- Quebec City
- Regina
- Toronto
- Vancouver
- Winnipeg
- Acapulco
- Aguascalientes
- Cancún
- Cozumel
- Guadalajara
- Ixtapa / Zihuatanejo
- León
- Manzanillo
- Mazatlán
- Mérida
- Mexico City
- Monterrey
- Morelia
- Oaxaca
- Puebla
- Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca
- Puerto Vallarta
- Querétaro
- San José del Cabo
- San Luis Potosí
- Tampico
- Tulum
- Veracruz
- St. Kitts & Nevis
- U.S. Virgin Islands
United Airlines has expanded its use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) overseas, including at Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport, San Francisco International Airport, London Heathrow, Chicago O'Hare, and Los Angeles International Airport.
Some of the most popular routes for United Airlines include:
- Chicago to New York City
- New York City to Chicago
- Denver to Colorado Springs
- Colorado Springs to Denver
- New York to Chicago
- Washington to Chicago
- Chicago to New York
- San Francisco to New York
- New York to San Francisco
- Denver to Chicago
- Chicago to San Francisco
- San Francisco to Chicago
- Chicago to Los Angeles
- Houston to Chicago
- New York to Los Angeles
- Los Angeles to New York
- Los Angeles to Chicago
- New York to Orlando
- San Francisco to Houston
- Houston to San Francisco
- Orlando to New York
- Los Angeles to San Francisco
- Denver to San Francisco
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Frequently asked questions
United Airlines lists eight airports as its main hubs, including Guam’s Antonio B. Won Pat International Airport (GUM), Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), and Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD).
Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) is United Airlines' largest East Coast hub.
Houston George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) is United Airlines' third-busiest hub in terms of flights.
