United Airlines

United Airlines (Commonly referred to as united) is a Major international airline of the United States, headquartered at the Willis Tower in Chicago, Illinois. United has eight major international airports as its hubs, with Chicago O'Hare being the largest, supporting the colossal route network of the company.

 

The predecessor of United can be traced back to Varney Airlines, founded in 1926.

 

In 1929, after William Boeing acquired several airlines, including Varney Airlines, The new company was named "United Air Lines," which Used to serve as Boeing's air transportation service.

 

In 1934, due to the impact of the Kelly Act, the airline was forcibly spun off from Boeing's company, forming today's United Airlines. 

 

During World War II, United-trained ground crews modified airplanes for use as bombers and transported mail, material, and passengers to support the war effort.

 

In 1961, United merged with Capital Airlines, becoming the second-largest airline in the world. United also began operating the Caravelle jetliners, and it was the first jet to enter commercial service in the United States.

 

United Airlines is also the only airline that have operated Executive One, a designation given to the civil flight carrying the U.S. president. On December 23, 1973, then-president Richard Nixon flew aboard a United DC-10 flight from Washington Dulles to Los Angeles. 

 

In April 1983, United Airlines launched its first international route, with Tokyo as its first international destination. 

 

In 1984, United became the first airline to offer commercial service to all 50 U.S. states. 

 

Since 1986, United Airlines has taken over Pan Am's entire trans-Pacific route network, which has allowed United Airlines to become the largest trans-Pacific route operator in the world until today. 

 

In 1997, United Airlines co-founded Star-Alliance with Air Canada, Lufthansa, SAS, and Thai Airways. Star Alliance is still the world's largest airline alliance until now.

 

Affected by the 9.11 incident and the economic crisis in the 2000s, United Airlines filed for bankruptcy protection from the federal government in December 2002 and was released in February 2006. This case was considered the most extensive and most protracted airline bankruptcy protection case in history. 

 

In 2010, United Airlines announced its merger with Continental Airlines.

 

Forming a brand new United Airlines in 2013, United has become one of the largest airlines in the world. With a huge fleet of nearly 900 aircraft and one of the most extensive global route networks, United Airlines provides flight services to almost 150 million passengers worldwide every year.