Editing United Airlines (section)

== Corporate affairs ==
{{anchor|United Airlines Holdings}}

=== Ownership and structure ===
United Airlines, Inc. is a [[publicly traded company]] under its parent [[holding company]], '''United Airlines Holdings, Inc.''', a [[Delaware General Corporation Law|Delaware corporation]] listed on [[Nasdaq]] under the ticker symbol {{NASDAQ link|UAL}}.<ref name="2018 Report">{{Cite web |date=February 28, 2019 |title=Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018 |url=http://ir.united.com/static-files/7764f912-7135-486b-aa5c-f729fa8b7cb3 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190325055052/http://ir.united.com/static-files/7764f912-7135-486b-aa5c-f729fa8b7cb3 |archive-date=March 25, 2019 |access-date=October 17, 2019}}</ref> {{As of|2025|01}}, it has a [[market capitalization]] exceeding $35 billion.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cnbc.com/quotes/UAL?qsearchterm=ual |title=United Airlines Holdings Inc |website=CNBC |access-date=31 January 2025}}</ref> United's operating revenues and operating expenses account for nearly 100% of the holding company's revenues and operating expenses.<ref name="2018 Report" /> United's operating revenues and expenses account for nearly all of the holding company's financial activity.

Headquartered in the [[Willis Tower]] in [[Chicago]],<ref>{{cite news |last=Golab |first=Art |date=August 13, 2012 |title=United commits to Willis as HQ, with lease through 2028 |url=http://www.suntimes.com/business/14446127-420/united-commits-to-willis-as-hq-with-lease-through-2028.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120818084217/http://www.suntimes.com/business/14446127-420/united-commits-to-willis-as-hq-with-lease-through-2028.html |archive-date=2012-08-18 |access-date=October 3, 2010 |newspaper=[[Chicago Sun-Times]]}}</ref> United ranked No. 83 on the 2025 [[Fortune 500]] list of the largest U.S. corporations by total revenue.<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 22, 2025 |title=Fortune 500 Full List |url=https://www.50pros.com/fortune500 |access-date=2025-04-03 |website=50Pros}}</ref> Through United Airlines Holdings, the company also holds a 9.9% stake in [[Mesa Airlines]], a regional carrier operating under the United Express brand.

=== Business trends ===
The key trends for United Airlines are (as of the end of the calendar year):
{{sticky header}}
{| class="wikitable sticky-header float-left" style="text-align: right;"
!Year
![[Revenue]]<br>(in million US$)
![[Net income]]<br>(in million US$)
![[Asset]]s<br>(in million US$)
!Employees<br>([[Full-time equivalent|FTE]])
!Passengers<br>(in millions)
![[Passenger load factor|Load factor]]<br>(%)
!Aircraft
!Refs
|-
!2011
|37,110
|837
|37,988
|87,000
|96
|82.8
|701
|<ref>{{Cite web |title=United Airlines Annual Report 2011 |url=https://ir.united.com/static-files/7f3156da-81ce-45a9-9e02-cedfe5405038 |access-date=October 20, 2023 |website=United Airlines}}</ref>
|-
!2012
|37,152
|{{color|red|(723)}}
|37,628
|88,000
|94
|82.9
|702
|<ref>{{Cite web |title=United Airlines Annual Report 2012 |url=https://ir.united.com/static-files/467f530b-725e-4547-8a39-d1e41ee0489c |access-date=October 20, 2023 |website=United Airlines}}</ref>
|-
!2013
|38,279
|571
|36,812
|87,000
|91
|83.8
|693
|<ref>{{Cite web |title=United Airlines Annual Report 2013 |url=https://ir.united.com/static-files/b8ea9249-2e48-43d1-aa58-0e94f01b304e |access-date=October 20, 2023 |website=United Airlines}}</ref>
|-
!2014
|38,901
|1,132
|36,595
|84,000
|138
|83.6
|691
|<ref>{{Cite web |title=United Airlines Annual Report 2014 |url=https://ir.united.com/static-files/3a828b44-bf5d-44b8-8fd8-b09a2eccd58d |access-date=October 20, 2023 |website=United Airlines}}</ref>
|-
!2015
|37,864
|7,340
|40,861
|84,000
|140
|83.4
|715
|<ref>{{Cite web |title=United Airlines Annual Report 2015 |url=https://ir.united.com/static-files/19471ff2-d3fe-49ef-94b6-3e2746fc0f53 |access-date=October 20, 2023 |website=United Airlines}}</ref>
|-
!2016
|36,556
|2,263
|40,140
|88,000
|143
|82.9
|737
|<ref>{{Cite web |title=United Airlines Annual Report 2016 |url=https://ir.united.com/static-files/f8f2f775-021e-44a0-aa6d-02ec9626d257 |access-date=October 20, 2023 |website=United Airlines}}</ref>
|-
!2017
|37,736
|2,131
|42,326
|89,800
|148
|82.4
|744
|<ref>{{Cite web |title=United Airlines Annual Report 2017 |url=https://ir.united.com/static-files/9ac6c8bb-ec7a-4f84-b64c-c0502de0cc86 |access-date=October 20, 2023 |website=United Airlines}}</ref>
|-
!2018
|41,303
|2,122
|49,024
|92,000
|158
|83.6
|770
|<ref>{{Cite web |title=United Airlines Annual Report 2018 |url=https://ir.united.com/static-files/efaf0aee-91ae-45b7-b949-f207111a2976 |access-date=October 20, 2023 |website=United Airlines}}</ref>
|-
!2019
|43,259
|3,009
|52,611
|96,000
|162
|84.0
|777
|<ref>{{Cite web |title=United Airlines Annual Report 2019 |url=https://ir.united.com/static-files/d4964ef6-f8f1-44ef-a230-cfd63faf9655 |access-date=October 20, 2023 |website=United Airlines}}</ref>
|-
!2020
|15,355
|{{color|red|(7,069)}}
|59,548
|74,400
|58
|60.2
|812
|<ref>{{Cite web |title=United Airlines Annual Report 2020 |url=https://ir.united.com/static-files/ad8b7f51-44f5-4c8a-afcf-78cef5abfb2d |access-date=October 20, 2023 |website=United Airlines}}</ref>
|-
!2021
|24,634
|{{color|red|(1,964)}}
|68,175
|84,100
|104
|72.2
|826
|<ref>{{Cite web |title=United Airlines Annual Report 2021 |url=https://ir.united.com/static-files/f3ebd5cf-da93-4990-986a-a5b34bb59ccd |access-date=October 20, 2023 |website=United Airlines}}</ref>
|-
!2022
|44,955
|737
|67,358
|92,800
|144
|83.4
|868
|<ref>{{Cite web |title=United Airlines Annual Report 2022 |url=https://ir.united.com/static-files/c7b4cf67-0a47-4a05-bb56-76329c61c7ff |access-date=October 20, 2023 |website=United Airlines}}</ref>
|-
!2023
|53,717
|2,618
|71,104
|103,300
|165
|83.9
|945
|<ref>{{Cite web |date=February 29, 2024 |title=United Airlines, Inc. 2023 Annual Report (Form 10-K) |url=https://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/0000100517/000010051724000027/ual-20231231.htm |access-date=March 18, 2024 |website=sec.gov |publisher=[[U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission]]}}</ref>
|-
!2024
|57,063
|3,149
|74,083
|107,300
|174
|83.1
|994
|<ref name="Form 10-K">{{Cite web |date=February 27, 2025 |title=Form 10-K |url=https://ir.united.com/static-files/9de36b41-9ffd-4b60-9154-5e895300396c |access-date=February 27, 2025 |website=United Airlines Holdings, Inc. |page=34}}</ref>
|}

=== Headquarters and other facilities ===
[[File:Willis Tower.jpg|thumb|upright|United Airlines Holdings World Headquarters, [[Willis Tower]]]]

United Airlines headquarters are located at the [[Willis Tower]], 233 South Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois.<ref name="headquarters">{{Cite web |title=Headquarters Location |url=https://www.united.com/ual/en/us/fly/contact/headquarters.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201001170115/https://www.united.com/ual/en/us/fly/contact/headquarters.html |archive-date=October 1, 2020 |access-date=October 20, 2019}}</ref>

In 2007, United had moved its headquarters from [[Elk Grove Township]], a suburb of Chicago, to [[77 West Wacker Drive]] in the [[Chicago Loop]]<ref name="Crains">{{Cite magazine |last1=Thomas A. Corfman |last2=Greg Hinz |date=July 13, 2006 |title=United HQ heading for Chicago |url=http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20060713/NEWS12/200021317 |magazine=[[Crain's Chicago Business]] |access-date=February 18, 2018}}</ref> after receiving US$5.5 million in incentives from the City of Chicago.<ref name="Incentives" />
 
Then in 2010, United accepted the City of Chicago's offer of US$35 million in incentives, including a US$10 million grant, for United to move its remaining 2,500 employees out of Elk Grove Township to the [[Willis Tower]] (formerly the Sears Tower) in the Chicago Loop.<ref name="Incentives">{{Cite news |last=Monica Davey |date=May 4, 2010 |title=Chicago Wins Prize as Home of Big Carrier |work=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/05/business/05united.html?_r=1&src=busln |url-status=live |access-date=February 18, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180729171125/https://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/05/business/05united.html?_r=1&src=busln |archive-date=July 29, 2018}}</ref> On May 31, 2012, United opened its operations center, which occupied twelve floors there.<ref>{{Cite news |last= |date=2012-08-13 |title=United Airlines To Move Corporate Headquarters To Willis Tower |work=[[CBS News]] |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/united-to-move-corporate-headquarters-to-willis-tower/ |url-status=live |access-date=2023-11-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120623164026/http://www.suntimes.com/business/13269459-420/united-shows-off-new-downtown-operations-center.html |archive-date=June 23, 2012}}</ref>
In 2019 United renewed its lease at Willis Tower, originally ending in 2028 and now set to expire in 2033, and plans to construct a roof deck and a {{convert|30,000|foot2|abbr=on}} dining hall on the fourth floor.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ori, Ryan |title=Column: United Airlines extends HQ lease at Willis Tower until 2033 |work=[[Chicago Tribune]] |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/business/columnists/ori/ct-biz-united-airlines-stays-at-willis-tower-ryan-ori-20190312-story.html |url-status=live |access-date=April 24, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190424105311/https://www.chicagotribune.com/business/columnists/ori/ct-biz-united-airlines-stays-at-willis-tower-ryan-ori-20190312-story.html |archive-date=April 24, 2019}}</ref>

The former headquarters campus at Elk Grove Township was gradually annexed into the [[Mount Prospect, Illinois|Village of Mount Prospect]],<ref>{{Cite web |date=May 16, 2012 |title=Mount Prospect annexes part of United campus |url=http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20120516/business/705169767/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170807075444/http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20120516/business/705169767/ |archive-date=August 7, 2017 |access-date=July 8, 2017 |publisher=[[Daily Herald (Arlington Heights)|Daily Herald]] ([[Arlington Heights, Illinois]])}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=January 19, 2017 |title=Mount Prospect annexes United property, 44 more acres |url=http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20170119/news/170118740/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170807080254/http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20170119/news/170118740/ |archive-date=August 7, 2017 |access-date=July 8, 2017 |publisher=[[Daily Herald (Arlington Heights)|Daily Herald]] ([[Arlington Heights, Illinois]])}}</ref> and serves as an IT operations facility, with a new {{convert|172,000|foot2|abbr=on}} data center constructed in 2013.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mayer |first=Richard |date=August 14, 2013 |title=What Future Holds For Near-Empty United Site |url=https://www.journal-topics.com/articles/what-future-holds-for-near-empty-united-site/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130817130743/http://www.journal-topics.com/news/article_1aceeb92-0482-11e3-b247-001a4bcf6878.html |archive-date=August 17, 2013 |access-date=2023-10-31 |website=journal-topics.com |publisher=Journal & Topics Media Group}}</ref>

United maintains a large presence in downtown Houston, having leased {{convert|225,000|foot2|abbr=on}} of space (seven floors) for occupancy in 2017.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Mulvaney |first=Erin |date=February 25, 2016 |title=United to lease space in new downtown high-rise |work=Houston Chronicle |url=http://www.houstonchronicle.com/business/real-estate/article/United-to-lease-space-in-new-downtown-high-rise-6854965.php |url-status=live |access-date=July 8, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170703063517/http://www.houstonchronicle.com/business/real-estate/article/United-to-lease-space-in-new-downtown-high-rise-6854965.php |archive-date=July 3, 2017}}</ref>

United has training facilities for its flight crews in Denver and Houston, a major aircraft maintenance center in San Francisco, and call centers in Houston and Chicago.

=== Corporate identity ===
==== Brand image ====
{{See also|History of United Airlines#Brand history|l1=United Airlines brand history}}
The pre-merger United logo, commonly nicknamed the "tulip", was developed in the early 1970s by the designer [[Saul Bass]] as part of a new brand image.<ref name="Mouawad2" /> The logo represented the airline's monogram as well as a modernized version of the airline's shield logo<ref>{{Cite web |title=Fifteen Years of Flying United |url=http://new.pentagram.com/2011/03/fifteen-years-of-flying-united-1 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140503235828/http://new.pentagram.com/2011/03/fifteen-years-of-flying-united-1/ |archive-date=May 3, 2014 |access-date=April 27, 2014 |website=Pentagram.com}}</ref> which had been adopted in the 1930s, but fell out of use by the late 1960s. The ribbon-like rendering has also been said to symbolize the motion of flight.<ref>{{Cite web |title=How Saul Bass changed design |url=http://www.csmonitor.com/Innovation/Tech-Culture/2013/0508/How-Saul-Bass-changed-design |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140423125120/http://www.csmonitor.com/Innovation/Tech-Culture/2013/0508/How-Saul-Bass-changed-design |archive-date=April 23, 2014 |access-date=April 27, 2014 |website=Csmonitor.com}}</ref> In 2010, United announced they would be merging with [[Continental Airlines]] and as a result, the combined airline would keep the United name but discontinue using the tulip logo and use the [[Continental Airlines]] "[[globe]]" identity and livery instead, designed in 1991 by the [[Lippincott (brand consultancy)|Lippincott]] company.<ref name="Mouawad2"/>

==== Marketing themes ====
{{Further|History of United Airlines#Slogans}}
United's earliest slogan, "The Main Line Airway", emphasized its signature New York-Chicago-San Francisco route, and was replaced in 1965 with "Fly the Friendly Skies", which was in use until 1996 in its first iteration.<ref name="nyt20130920">{{Cite news |last=Levere |first=Jane L. |date=September 20, 2013 |title=Old Slogan Returns as United Asserts It Is Customer-Focused |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/20/business/media/old-slogan-returns-as-united-asserts-it-is-customer-focused.html |url-status=live |access-date=February 20, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170311202108/http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/20/business/media/old-slogan-returns-as-united-asserts-it-is-customer-focused.html |archive-date=March 11, 2017}}</ref> The "It's time to fly" slogan was created in 2004. After the merger of United and Continental in October 2010, the slogan changed to "Let's fly together" until September 2013,<ref name=nyt20130920 /> when United announced a return of the "Fly the Friendly Skies" slogan in an ad campaign to start the following day.<ref name="frequentbusinesstraveler.com">{{Cite web |title=United Plans Return to the "Friendly Skies" |url=http://www.frequentbusinesstraveler.com/2013/09/united-plans-return-to-the-friendly-skies/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150403131755/http://www.frequentbusinesstraveler.com/2013/09/united-plans-return-to-the-friendly-skies/ |archive-date=April 3, 2015 |access-date=April 3, 2015 |website=frequentbusinesstraveler.com}}</ref> The resurrected slogan would be accompanied by the 1924 [[George Gershwin]] song "[[Rhapsody in Blue]]" as its theme song, and a voiceover provided by [[Matt Damon]].<ref name=nyt20130920 />

United had licensed its theme song, "Rhapsody in Blue", from Gershwin's estate for {{US$|500000|1976}} in 1976.<ref>{{cite court |litigants=[[Eldred v. Ashcroft]] |vol=01 |reporter=U.S. |opinion=618 |pinpoint=p. 67 |court=Supreme Court |date=January 15, 2003 |url=http://www.copyright.gov/docs/eldrdedo.pdf |quote=Even the $500,000 that United Airlines has had to pay for the right to play George Gershwin's 1924 classic ''Rhapsody in Blue'' represents a cost of doing business, potentially reflected in the ticket prices of those who fly. |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190430032440/https://www.copyright.gov/docs/eldrdedo.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> "Rhapsody" would have entered the [[public domain]] in 2000, but the [[Copyright Term Extension Act]] of 1998 extended its copyright another 20 years until January 1, 2020, when it officially entered on the Public Domain.<ref>{{Cite web |date=December 30, 2019 |title=1924 Copyrighted Works To Become Part Of The Public Domain |url=https://www.npr.org/2019/12/30/792302139/1924-copyrighted-works-to-become-part-of-the-public-domain |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200308072648/https://www.npr.org/2019/12/30/792302139/1924-copyrighted-works-to-become-part-of-the-public-domain |archive-date=March 8, 2020 |access-date=January 1, 2020 |publisher=[[NPR]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Public Domain Day 2020 |url=https://web.law.duke.edu/cspd/publicdomainday/2020/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200226055435/https://web.law.duke.edu/cspd/publicdomainday/2020/ |archive-date=February 26, 2020 |access-date=January 1, 2020 |publisher=Duke Law School's [[Center for the Study of the Public Domain]] |language=en}}</ref>
United announced that it would continue to use "Rhapsody in Blue" as its theme song following the merger with Continental.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Rosenthal |first=Phil |date=January 8, 2012 |title='Rhapsody' remains familiar refrain at United |work=[[Chicago Tribune]] |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-xpm-2012-01-08-ct-biz-0108-phil-20120108-story.htmlhttps://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-xpm-2012-01-08-ct-biz-0108-phil-20120108-story.html |url-status=live |access-date=2023-10-31 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180729141439/http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2012-01-08/business/ct-biz-0108-phil--20120108_1_gershwin-music-rhapsody-ira-gershwin |archive-date=July 29, 2018}}</ref>

=== Environmental initiatives ===
Because over 98 percent of United's [[greenhouse gas]] emissions are from jet fuel, its environmental strategy has focused on operational fuel efficiency initiatives and investments in sustainably produced, [[Alternative fuel|low-carbon alternative fuels]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=March 11, 2016 |title=United Airlines is flying on biofuels. Here's why that's a really big deal. |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/energy-environment/wp/2016/03/11/united-airlines-is-flying-on-biofuels-heres-why-thats-a-really-big-deal/?noredirect=on |url-status=live |access-date=May 23, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210305023811/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/energy-environment/wp/2016/03/11/united-airlines-is-flying-on-biofuels-heres-why-thats-a-really-big-deal/?noredirect=on |archive-date=March 5, 2021}}</ref>

On August 23, 2011, United announced a conversion to paperless flight decks with 11,000 [[iPad]]s for its pilots. Each iPad, which weighs less than {{convert|1.5|lb}}, will replace approximately {{convert|38|lb}} of paper operating manuals, navigation charts, reference handbooks, flight checklists, logbooks, and weather information. The green benefits include reductions in paper use, printing, and fuel consumption.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2011-08-23 |title=United Airlines Launches Paperless Flight Deck With iPad |work=[[PR Newswire]] |url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/united-airlines-launches-paperless-flight-deck-with-ipad-128240343.html |url-status=live |access-date=2023-11-01 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130216233733/http://ir.unitedcontinentalholdings.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=83680&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1599253&highlight= |archive-date=February 16, 2013}}</ref> This shift not only streamlines the flight process but also significantly enhances operational efficiency and safety by ensuring pilots have the most up-to-date information readily available.

On November 7, 2011, United flew the world's first commercial aviation flight on a microbially-derived biofuel. The aircraft was fueled with 40 percent Solajet, which is [[Solazyme]]'s algae-derived renewable jet fuel, and 60 percent petroleum-derived jet fuel. This flight was operated by the Eco-Skies Boeing 737-800 aircraft from IAH to ORD.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2011-11-07 |title=United Airlines Flies First U.S. Commercial Advanced Biofuel Flight |work=[[PR Newswire]] |url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/united-airlines-flies-first-us-commercial-advanced-biofuel-flight-133358153.html |url-status=bot: unknown |access-date=2023-11-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231102100238/https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/united-airlines-flies-first-us-commercial-advanced-biofuel-flight-133358153.html |archive-date=November 2, 2023 }}</ref>

On January 15, 2013, Aviation Partners Boeing (APB), a joint venture between [[Aviation Partners Inc.]] and Boeing, announced that United had agreed to replace the [[Wingtip device|Blended Winglets]] on its Boeing 737NG aircraft with APB's Split Scimitar Winglet (SSW), significantly reducing drag. Once the SSWs are installed, it is estimated that APB's winglet technology will save United more than $250 million annually in fuel costs.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Aviation Partners, Inc. |date=January 15, 2013 |title=Aviation Partners Boeing Launches Split Scimitar Winglet Program |publisher=PR Newswire |url=http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/aviation-partners-boeing-launches-split-scimitar-winglet-program-186934521.html |url-status=live |access-date=February 18, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180729200524/https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/aviation-partners-boeing-launches-split-scimitar-winglet-program-186934521.html |archive-date=July 29, 2018}}</ref>

On June 30, 2015, United invested US$30 million in Fulcrum BioEnergy, an alternative fuel company. Fulcrum's alternative fuel is produced through a clean and efficient thermochemical process and reduces lifecycle carbon emissions by more than 80 percent. As part of its investment, United will work with Fulcrum to develop up to five alternative fuel refineries near its U.S. hubs. These refineries will produce up to {{convert|180|e6USgal|e6L|abbr=off|sp=us}} of sustainable aviation alternative fuel per year, and United will have the opportunity to purchase at least {{convert|90|e6USgal|e6L|abbr=off|sp=us}} per year for a minimum of 10 years, making it the largest aviation alternative fuel commitment to date.<ref>{{Cite press release |title=United Airlines Purchases Stake in Fulcrum BioEnergy with $30 Million Investment |date=June 30, 2015 |publisher=United Airlines |url=http://newsroom.united.com/2015-06-30-United-Airlines-Purchases-Stake-in-Fulcrum-BioEnergy-with-30-Million-Investment |access-date=December 1, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171202052556/http://newsroom.united.com/2015-06-30-United-Airlines-Purchases-Stake-in-Fulcrum-BioEnergy-with-30-Million-Investment |archive-date=December 2, 2017}}</ref>

On March 11, 2016, United became the first airline in the world to fly on commercial-scale quantities of such fuels on a continuous basis, which were procured from AltAir Fuels. This fuel was produced from sustainable feedstocks such as non-edible natural oils and agricultural wastes and is expected to provide a greater than 60 percent reduction in carbon dioxide emissions on a lifecycle basis when compared to traditional jet fuel. United has agreed to purchase up to {{convert|15|e6USgal|e6L|abbr=off|sp=us}} of sustainable alternative fuel from AltAir Fuels for use in [[Los Angeles]] over a three-year period.<ref>{{Cite press release |title=United Airlines Makes History with Launch of Regularly Scheduled Flights Using Sustainable Biofuel |date=March 11, 2016 |publisher=United Airlines |url=http://newsroom.united.com/2016-03-11-United-Airlines-Makes-History-with-Launch-of-Regularly-Scheduled-Flights-Using-Sustainable-Biofuel |access-date=December 1, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171124031116/http://newsroom.united.com/2016-03-11-United-Airlines-Makes-History-with-Launch-of-Regularly-Scheduled-Flights-Using-Sustainable-Biofuel |archive-date=November 24, 2017}}</ref>

In 2016, United began partnering with [[Clean the World]] to repurpose items from the airline's international premium class amenity kits and donate the hygiene products to those in critical need. Clean the World provides hygiene education and soap to promote handwashing, which helps prevent hygiene-related deaths. During the first year of this partnership, United expected to divert {{convert|60000|lb|-2}} of material that otherwise would have gone to landfills.<ref>{{Cite press release |title=United Airlines and Clean the World Partner to Assemble Hygiene Kits For Hub-Based Charities |date=October 26, 2016 |publisher=United Airlines |url=http://newsroom.united.com/2016-10-26-United-Airlines-and-Clean-the-World-Partner-to-Assemble-Hygiene-Kits-For-Hub-Based-Charities |access-date=February 19, 2018 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171202053206/http://newsroom.united.com/2016-10-26-United-Airlines-and-Clean-the-World-Partner-to-Assemble-Hygiene-Kits-For-Hub-Based-Charities |archive-date=December 2, 2017}}</ref>

In 2017 United started a partnership with [[Audubon International]] to protect raptors—including hawks, ospreys and owls—in and around New York-area airports and resettle the birds-of-prey at suitable golf course habitats where the species are more likely to thrive.<ref>{{Cite press release |title=United Airlines and Audubon International Team Up to Protect Raptors at New York-Area Airports |date=July 24, 2017 |publisher=United Airlines |url=http://newsroom.united.com/2017-07-24-United-Airlines-and-Audubon-International-Team-Up-to-Protect-Raptors-at-New-York-Area-Airports |access-date=December 1, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171202053157/http://newsroom.united.com/2017-07-24-United-Airlines-and-Audubon-International-Team-Up-to-Protect-Raptors-at-New-York-Area-Airports |archive-date=December 2, 2017}}</ref>

In 2022 United expanded it's use of [[Aviation biofuel|sustainable aviation fuel (SAF)]] overseas, to [[Amsterdam Airport Schiphol|Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport.]] It was the first US airline to purchase sustainable jet fuel overseas.<ref>{{Cite web |title=United Becomes First U.S. Airline to Sign Agreement to Purchase Sustainable Aviation Fuel Overseas |url=https://united.mediaroom.com/2022-05-10-United-Becomes-First-U-S-Airline-to-Sign-Agreement-to-Purchase-Sustainable-Aviation-Fuel-Overseas |access-date=2025-04-21 |website=United - Newsroom}}</ref> United went on to begin the use of sustainable fuel at [[San Francisco International Airport]] and [[London Heathrow]] in 2023,<ref>{{Cite news |title=United Airlines will use lower-carbon fuels in San Francisco, London |url=https://www.reuters.com/business/sustainable-business/united-airlines-will-use-lower-carbon-fuels-san-francisco-london-2023-05-04/ |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20230522202457/https://www.reuters.com/business/sustainable-business/united-airlines-will-use-lower-carbon-fuels-san-francisco-london-2023-05-04/ |archive-date=2023-05-22 |access-date=2025-04-22 |work=Reuters |language=en-US}}</ref> and at [[O'Hare International Airport|Chicago O'Hare]] and [[Los Angeles International Airport]] in 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |title=United Airlines sign 8m gallon SAF offtake deal with Phillips 66 |url=https://www.safinvestor.com/news/146568/united-airlines/ |access-date=2025-04-22 |website=SAF Investor |language=en-US}}</ref>

=== Employee relations ===
United Airlines was the first airline to see a successful unionization of flight attendants when the [[Association of Flight Attendants]]-CWA (AFA) was founded in 1945 by five United Airlines flight attendants.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kuttner |first=Robert |date=2023-09-28 |title=A Union of Their Own |url=https://prospect.org/api/content/eda522e8-5c8d-11ee-a223-12163087a831/ |access-date=2024-07-30 |website=The American Prospect |language=en-us}}</ref> The AFA has represented flight attendants from United Airlines since.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Our Airlines |url=https://www.afacwa.org/our_airlines |access-date=2024-07-30 |website=Association of Flight Attendants-CWA |language=en}}</ref> Their contract became amendable in August 2021 and 99.9% of the flight attendants who voted were in favor of authorizing a strike on August 28, 2024.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Fisher |first1=Lina |title=United Flight Attendants Authorize a Strike |url=https://www.austinchronicle.com/news/2024-09-06/united-flight-attendants-authorize-a-strike/ |website=[[The Austin Chronicle]] |access-date=28 January 2025 |date=6 September 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Flight Attendants at United Airlines Vote 99.99% to Authorize a Strike |url=https://www.afacwa.org/united_fas_vote_authorize_strike |website=[[Association of Flight Attendants|Association of Flight Attendants-CWA]] |access-date=28 January 2025 |location=[[Chicago]] |date=28 August 2024}}</ref>

United Airlines maintenance technicians are represented by the [https://teamster.org/united-airline-comps/ International International Brotherhood of Teamsters]. Their contract became amendable on December 5, 2024.

The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) District 141 represents approximately 34,000 Fleet Service, Passenger Service, Reservations, Stockroom, Central Load Planner, Maintenance Instructor, Fleet Technical Instructor, Emergency Procedures Instructor and Security Officer workers.<ref>{{cite press release |url=https://www.goiam.org/news/all-unions-at-united-airlines-form-bargaining-coalition/#:~:text=International%20Association%20of%20Machinists%20and%20Aerospace%20Workers%20(IAM)%20District%20141,Security%20Officer%20workers%20at%20United |title=All Unions at United Airlines Form Bargaining Coalition |publisher=International Association of Machinist and Aerospace Workers |date=December 7, 2022 |access-date=January 31, 2025}}</ref> Their contract becomes amendable on May 1, 2025.<ref>{{cite web |title=Passenger Service Employees 2023 – 2025 Agreement |url=https://iam141.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Final-PASSENGER-SERVICE-EMPLOYEES-2023-2025-Agreement-0426231.pdf#page=115 |website=IAM141.org |access-date=1 February 2025 |page=115}}</ref>

With over 17,500 members the United Airlines pilots are the largest pilot group in the world and represented by the [[Air Line Pilots Association]] (ALPA).<ref>{{cite web |title=United |url=https://www.alpa.org/about-alpa/our-pilot-groups/pilot-groups/united |website=[[Air Line Pilots Association, International|ALPA]] |access-date=1 February 2025}}</ref> ALPA was founded by United Air Lines Captain David L. Behncke and 23 other key figures in Chicago, Illinois, on July 27, 1931.<ref>{{cite web |title=A History of Achievement: 80 Years of Pilots Putting Safety and Security First |url=https://www.alpa.org/-/media/ALPA/Files/eLibraries/Communications/publications-other/history-of-pride-80.pdf?la=en |website=[[Air Line Pilots Association, International|ALPA]] |access-date=3 February 2025 |page=3}}</ref> In the 1930s, flying was a perilous occupation; thus, from the time of its formation to today, one of ALPA's main goals is to improve air safety.<ref name="TheLanding">{{cite web|title=The Landing: Air Line Pilot Chronicles the Evolution of a Profession|url=https://www.alpa.org/news-and-events/air-line-pilot-magazine/the-landing-evolution-of-profession|access-date=August 4, 2020}}</ref> The United pilots' current contract becomes amendable on September 30, 2027.<ref>{{cite web |title=United Airlines pilots ratified a new contract that their union says is worth more than $10 billion |url=https://apnews.com/article/united-airlines-pilots-ratify-contract-afab5d9875b2b207b84fdd4b1eabe6c6 |website=[[Associated Press]] |access-date=28 January 2025 |date=29 September 2023}}</ref>