United Airlines Holdings Inc Stock Price, News & Analysis

United Airlines is contributing $1.25 million to DonorsChoose, an education nonprofit, to fund aviation and STEM classroom projects across the U.S. The airline will triple donations for aviation projects in nine key markets and match funding for STEM projects at Equity Focus Schools. This initiative, now in its second year, aims to diversify United's workforce and remove barriers to STEM and aviation education for underrepresented groups.

In 2023, United funded 2,592 projects in hub cities and target markets. The company's total contribution to DonorsChoose over the past two years amounts to $2.5 million. Teachers in selected cities can submit projects for consideration at donorschoose.org/united. This program reflects United's commitment to supporting education and inspiring students to explore careers in aviation and STEM fields.

United Airlines has launched a special flight schedule to facilitate Chicago Bears fans traveling to away games for the 2024 season. The airline is adjusting departure times for six flights, allowing fans to return home on game nights. United is also using larger planes on two routes and adding an extra nonstop flight between Chicago O'Hare and London Heathrow for the Week 6 Bears/Jaguars game.

As Chicago's largest airline and the official airline partner of the Chicago Bears for over 50 years, United operates more than 500 daily departures from O'Hare to 148 U.S. cities and over 40 international destinations. The enhanced schedule aims to support the Bears' dedicated fan base, with over 76,000 fans having traveled to away games in the 2023-24 season.

United Airlines has become the first airline to purchase sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) for use at O'Hare International Airport in Chicago. The airline will receive up to 1 million gallons of Neste MY Sustainable Aviation Fuel™ through the end of 2024, with the first supply arriving in August. This initiative was supported by Illinois' SAF tax credits, highlighting the state's commitment to sustainability and clean energy.

United led U.S. airlines in annual SAF volumes used in 2023, and O'Hare is now the fifth airport where United has purchased SAF for operational use. The airline aims to reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 without relying on voluntary carbon offsets. United has been actively advocating for legislation to grow the SAF market and has helped secure SAF tax credits in several states.

United Airlines (UAL) reported strong second-quarter 2024 financial results, with pre-tax earnings of $1.7 billion and a pre-tax margin of 11.6%. The company achieved diluted earnings per share of $3.96, in line with guidance. Key highlights include:

- Total operating revenue of $15.0 billion, up 5.7% compared to Q2 2023
- Capacity up 8.3% compared to Q2 2023
- CASM down 4.8%, and CASM-ex up 2.1%
- Ending available liquidity of $18.2 billion

United expects to benefit from industry-wide domestic capacity reductions starting mid-August. The company continues to expect full-year 2024 adjusted diluted earnings per share of $9 to $11, despite industry challenges. United's revenue diversity advantages, including premium revenue growth of 8.5% and Basic Economy revenue growth of 38% year-over-year, have contributed to its strong performance.

United Airlines has applied to the U.S. Department of Transportation for a new daily nonstop flight between San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA). This proposed route aims to enhance connectivity, offering unique morning and afternoon departures and avoiding the busiest travel times at DCA. The service will leverage the Boeing MAX 8 aircraft, featuring 166 total seats. If approved, this flight will provide connections from SFO to over 30 destinations, including nine that currently lack United service to DCA via San Francisco. Additionally, United has proposed its first-ever DCA-Los Angeles (LAX) route, aiming to foster competition and offer the earliest arrival and latest morning departure among all airlines servicing LAX-DCA.

United Airlines has launched a new feature to provide real-time information to travelers during weather delays. The airline now texts customers links to live radar maps, helping them understand how inclement weather can affect flights. This service is part of United's efforts to enhance customer communication using generative AI tools for real-time updates on flight changes, including gate alterations and crew rescheduling. The innovation comes as United anticipates its busiest Fourth of July weekend, with over five million passengers flying between June 28 and July 8, a 7% increase from last year. The airline emphasizes transparency and has pioneered several customer-friendly policies, including automatic rebooking assistance, real-time flight updates, free family seating, and no change fees. United remains the only U.S. airline offering these specific services.

United Airlines (UAL) has announced a conference call to discuss its second-quarter 2024 financial results on July 18 at 9:30 a.m. CT/10:30 a.m. ET. The financial results and future outlook will be released on July 17, after market close. The webcast for the conference call will be available at ir.united.com.

United Airlines collaborated with the Chicago Bears at O'Hare International Airport to support Special Olympics. Bears Tight End Cole Kmet joined Special Olympics Service Ambassadors, part of a 2019 initiative that employs Special Olympics athletes at airports. Currently, there are 18 SOSA workers in United hubs, with plans to expand in Los Angeles and San Francisco. United has donated over $8.5 million in travel miles and cash since 2017, supporting events like Capitol Hill Day. This summer, United expects a 5% increase in customers. The company has also implemented accessibility improvements, like adding Braille to aircraft and enhancing its mobile app for visual disabilities.

United Airlines announced the addition of nearly 200 flights to facilitate travel to the Republican and Democratic National Conventions this summer.

For the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee in July, United will increase its capacity by 75%, adding 72 flights from major hubs and introducing a new nonstop flight from Washington Reagan. This effort will allow nearly 5,000 additional attendees.

For the Democratic National Convention in Chicago in August, United will add 118 flights, making it the largest schedule from Chicago O'Hare since 2019. This includes 38 additional flights between Chicago and Washington Reagan, all operated by Boeing 737 MAX 8, and 80 flights to other major cities.

Tickets are available on United's app and website.