United Airlines controversies
Controversies tied to this brand in public sources. A listing is not a finding of fault.
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2026
FTC inquiry into personalized pricing and compensation involving United Airlines
Investigation
The FTC launched an inquiry into whether Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, JetBlue, Lyft, Uber, DoorDash, Instacart, Target and Walmart use consumers' or workers' personal data to set prices or compensation, and ordered the companies to provide information. United Airlines is among the companies named in the inquiry.
Stated objective. Assess whether prices or worker compensation vary based on personal data.
Company response
Denial — Instacart
does not and will not engage in surveillance pricing.
Denial — JetBlue
does not use personal information or web browsing history to set individual pricing.
Denial — Delta Air Lines
Delta also denied using personal data to individually price fares
Source excerpt
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) said it launched an inquiry into nine companies, ordering them to provide information about how they use consumers' and workers' personal data to set prices and compensation.
Federal regulators announced Wednesday that they are examining whether major airlines, ride-hailing companies, delivery services and retailers are using personal data to charge different customers different prices for the same products and services or determine how much gig workers are paid.
The orders were sent to Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, JetBlue, Lyft, Uber, DoorDash, Instacart, Target and Walmart, according to the FTC.
2021
United Airlines fined $1.9 million over tarmac delays
Fine or penalty
In 2021, the U.S. Transportation Department fined United Airlines $1.9 million for violations of federal rules on lengthy tarmac delays and ordered the airline to cease similar future violations. According to the department, 25 flights kept passengers on the tarmac without allowing them to deplane. The penalty concerned compliance with federal requirements governing extended tarmac delays, and the department directed United to stop such violations going forward.
Company response
Clarification — United Airlines
United said Friday it remains "committed to fully meeting all DOT rules and will continue identifying and implementing improvements in how we manage difficult operating conditions."
Source excerpt
The department said between December 2015 and February, United allowed 25 flights to remain on the tarmac for lengthy periods without allowing passengers to deplane.
United Airlines was fined $1.9 million Friday by the U.S. Transportation Department for violating federal rules on long tarmac delays and ordered to cease future similar violations.
2021
United temporarily grounds Boeing 777 aircraft with PW4000 engines
Corrective action
United Airlines announced that it would temporarily ground all 24 of its Boeing 777 aircraft fitted with the same type of engine after a United flight experienced an engine failure and shed debris.
Source excerpt
美國聯合航空一架飛往夏威夷檀香山的波音777客機20日發動機故障後緊急折返丹佛，當時邊飛邊掉碎片。
聯航今晚（美國時間21日）宣布，將暫時停飛旗下所有24架採用同款發動機的波音777客機。
2020
Class-action lawsuit filed over United Airlines flight refunds
Lawsuit filed
In April 2020, Jacob Rudolph filed a class-action lawsuit against United Airlines, alleging that the airline offered travel vouchers instead of cash refunds for coronavirus-related flight cancellations. The suit seeks refunds for passengers and damages. The allegations are not presented as a court determination.
Stated objective. To block the slot sale.
Company response
Denial — United Airlines
flight attendant eligibility to work a charter flight is based solely on performance and attendance and has nothing to do with age, race or gender.
Investigation — ExpressJet
does not tolerate racism and we are investigating this incident to better understand what occurred onboard our aircraft in December.
Denial — United
We believe this lawsuit is completely baseless and will defend ourselves vigorously.
Source excerpt
Rudolph says United is being unfair, unjust and downright deceptive by refusing to issue refunds to passengers for coronavirus related cancellations
Jacob Rudolph filed a class-action lawsuit Monday against United Airlines, claiming the air carrier is only offering travel vouchers instead of cash refunds
The lawsuit was filed by two veteran flight attendants, a Black woman who has worked for United for 28 years and a Jewish woman who has been with the airline for 34 years, according to Bloomberg.
2020
United Airlines controversy note: rebooking or travel credit offered after reports of crowded flights
Company response
United Airlines faced criticism after reports of a crowded flight and concerns about social distancing. In response, the airline said it would allow customers on congested flights to rebook on a different flight or receive a travel credit. According to the announcement, this option would begin the following week and remain available through June 30.
After criticism over a crowded flight and concerns about social distancing, United said it would let customers on congested flights rebook on a different flight or receive a travel credit, starting the following week through June 30.
Stated objective. To reduce the number of people in congested flights
Company response
Clarification — United Airlines
In response, United Airlines said "blocking" is the wrong word.
Source excerpt
A doctor's tweet about "scared" and "shocked" passengers on a crowded United Airlines flight from Newark is highlighting the difficulties of social distancing while traveling during the pandemic.
2017
United Express passenger-removal incident
A passenger was forcibly removed from an overbooked United Express flight after volunteers were sought. Video of the event generated international condemnation and led United to change procedures concerning involuntary removal, compensation, and employee handling of disrupted flights.