Table of Contents
- United Airlines
- What Country Owns United Airlines?
- Is United Airlines a Good Airline?afety & Reliability
- Customer Experience
- Skytrax and Reviews
- What Is United Airlines Famous For?
- United Polaris Business Class
- Route Network and Hubs
- Star Alliance Membership
- What Are the Benefits of United Airlines?
- MileagePlus Loyalty Program
- Upgrade Perks
- United App and Tech
- Future Outlook: What’s Next for United Airlines?
- Comparison Table: United vs Other Airlines
- Tools, Tips, and Booking Hacks
- Final Thoughts
- FAQs
United Airlines is a major U.S. carrier known for global routes, premium cabins, and smart travel perks. Learn about its ownership, fame, benefits, and more. United Airlines
United Airlines
Flying with United Airlines is more than just a journey — it’s a gateway to nearly every continent. Whether you’re planning a quick domestic trip or an international getaway, chances are United Airlines is on your radar.
But how much do you actually know about this airline?
- Who owns United Airlines?
- Is it a good airline for travelers?
- What makes United Airlines stand out from competitors like Delta or American?
- And what benefits can you enjoy as a loyal flyer?
Let’s answer all that and more — in plain, helpful language.
What Country Owns United Airlines?
United Airlines is 100% American.
It’s owned by United Airlines Holdings, Inc., a publicly traded company on the NASDAQ stock exchange under the ticker UAL. The headquarters of United Airlines is in Chicago, Illinois, USA.
Key Facts:
|
Detail |
Info |
|
Ownership |
United Airlines Holdings, Inc. |
|
Country |
United States 🇺🇸 |
|
Headquarters |
Willis Tower, Chicago, IL |
|
Stock Symbol |
NASDAQ: UAL |
|
Founded |
1926 (as Varney Air Lines), renamed United in 1931 |
So yes — it’s proudly American-owned, and heavily regulated by the U.S Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Department of Transportation
Is United Airlines a Good Airline?
Let’s be real — airline quality varies. But overall, United has improved significantly in recent years.
🛡️ Safety & Reliability
United Airlines is rated one of the safest airlines globally, with no major crashes in recent decades. It complies with all FAA and IATA safety regulations and has invested heavily in aircraft maintenance and modern tech.
Fleet Info:
- 800+ aircraft
- Mostly Boeing 737, 757, 787, and Airbus A320 families
- Average aircraft age: ~15 years, constantly upgrading
😊 Customer Experience
Customer reviews are mixed — but improving:
- Seat Comfort: Decent legroom, especially on new 737 MAX and Polaris class
- Onboard Service: Free snacks, drinks, WiFi, movies, and USB charging
- App Experience: Excellent. The United app offers mobile boarding, flight tracking, seat upgrades, and MileagePlus management.
🌟 Ratings Snapshot
|
Rating Platform |
Score |
|
Skytrax |
3-Star Airline |
|
TripAdvisor |
3.5 out of 5 |
|
Google Reviews |
4.1 out of 5 |
|
Glassdoor (Employee) |
4.2 out of 5 |
What Is United Airlines Famous For?
United Airlines is known for several innovations and signature services:
✨ 1. United Polaris Business Class
This is United’s luxury international product:
- Lie-flat seats
- Saks Fifth Avenue bedding
- Lounge access
- Restaurant-style dining
Polaris has made United more competitive with premium offerings from Emirates, Lufthansa, and Delta One.
✈ 2. Huge Global Network
United flies to:
- 300+ domestic destinations
- 120+ international cities
- All 6 inhabited continents
Major hubs: Chicago O’Hare, Newark, Houston, Denver, San Francisco, Washington D.C., and Los Angeles.
- Founding Member of Star Alliance
United helped launch the Star Alliance — the world’s largest airline partnership network — with partners like:
- Lufthansa
- Air Canada
- Singapore Airlines
- ANA (Japan)
That means better connections, shared lounges, and more mileage opportunities.
What Are the Benefits of United Airlines?
Whether you fly once a year or every month, United offers benefits that are hard to ignore.
🎫 1. MileagePlus Program
United’s frequent flyer program is consistently ranked in the Top 3 in the U.S.
MileagePlus Perks:
- Earn miles on flights, hotels, dining
- Redeem for flights, upgrades, gift cards, or experiences
- No expiration on miles for active members
- Elite tiers: Silver, Gold, Platinum, 1K
|
Tier |
Key Perks |
|
Silver |
Free upgrades on domestic flights, priority boarding |
|
Gold |
Star Alliance Gold status, lounge access, 2 free checked bags |
|
1K |
First-class upgrades, personal travel concierge |
📱 2. Tech and Convenience
- One of the best mobile apps in the airline industry
- Real-time updates, rebooking, boarding passes, upgrades
- Free in-flight messaging
🧳 3. Cabin & Travel Perks
- Basic Economy to Polaris Business Class options
- United Club Lounges at major airports
- Partnerships with CLEAR and TSA PreCheck for faster security
Future Outlook What’s Next for United Airlines?
United is aggressively investing in sustainability, tech, and expansion.
🔋 Eco-Friendly Moves
- Plans to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050
- Ordered electric air taxis from Archer Aviation
- Investing in sustainable aviation fuel (SAF)
🛩 Fleet Growth
- 700+ new aircraft on order
- Upgrading regional fleets to reduce delays
- Expanding ultra-long-haul capabilities with Boeing 787s
📈 Growth Strategy
- More international routes (India, Africa, South Pacific)
- Expanding loyalty partnerships with hotels and car rentals
- Enhancing Polaris lounges and customer service tech
Comparison Table: United vs Other U.S. Airlines
|
Feature |
United |
Delta |
American |
Southwest |
|
International Routes |
✅ High |
✅ High |
✅ High |
❌ Low |
|
Business Class |
Polaris |
Delta One |
Flagship First |
❌ None |
|
Free Bags |
❌ |
❌ |
❌ |
✅ 2 |
|
Best for Tech |
✅ |
✅ |
⚠️ |
⚠️ |
|
Alliance |
Star |
SkyTeam |
Oneworld |
None |
|
Loyalty Program |
MileagePlus |
SkyMiles |
AAdvantage |
Rapid Rewards |
Tools, Tips, and Booking Hacks
Best Tools for United Flyers
- United App – bookings, upgrades, tracking
- Expert Flyer – upgrade & seat alerts
- Award Hacker – find best mile redemptions
Smart Travel Tips
- Book on Tuesday/Wednesday for lowest fares
- Use United’s “Excursionist Perk” for a free stopover on award travel
- Get a co-branded United credit card for:
- Free bags
- Priority boarding
- Airport lounge access
Final Thoughts
United Airlines continues to evolve into a tech-savvy, globally connected, and loyalty-friendly airline. While not perfect, it offers tremendous value — especially for frequent flyers, international travelers, and anyone who values convenience.
Whether you’re eyeing luxury with Polaris or budget travel with Basic Economy, United has a seat — and a set of perks — for you.
FAQs
Who is the CEO of United Airlines?
As of 2025, Scott Kirby is the CEO.
Does United fly to Europe and Asia?
Yes. United has non-stop flights to major cities like London, Paris, Tokyo, Delhi, and Sydney.
Is United better than Delta or American?
Depends on your needs. United leads in global coverage and premium international class, but Delta ranks higher in domestic service quality.
Can I bring a carry-on in Basic Economy?
Yes — but only one personal item under the seat. No overhead bin access unless you’re a MileagePlus member or have the credit card.
