Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
Contact photographer Jean-Claude Simard
What: United Airlines Airbus A320-200 en route from Chicago O’Hare,IL to Washington National
Where: Washington DC
When: Mar 22nd 2011
Who: 68 people aboard
Why: The United crew was informed that the airport was “uncontrolled” via the advisory frequency. The plane made a visual approach and landed ten minutes after the American Airlines flight
Uncompleted FAA safety checks have led to United’s 757 jet fleet to ground itself.
The Federal Aviation Administration on June 22, 2004, ordered that the computers be replaced and that mechanics perform a check to ensure they were working properly. 2004. Did I read that correctly?
The 757’s air data computer measures air pressure and other atmospheric conditions to determine speed and altitude. The units on these planes have been replaced but they haven’t undergone the required safety check. A flaw in the OLD computer caused pilots to believe they were flying too fast or too slow.
United discovered the situation and informed the FAA that they were grounding their own fleet and performing the safety check after making the discovery on their own.
Where was the FAA in this? Don’t they follow up their own directives to assure compliance? Did a follow-up team get hatched by a budget cut? Or is it just that the FAA is getting complacent or not taking its performance seriously?
CHICAGO, Feb. 10, 2011 – United Airlines today announced the company was — for the second consecutive year — first in on-time performance for domestic scheduled flights among America’s five largest global carriers* for 2010. United ended the year with 85.2 percent of flights arriving at their destinations within 14 minutes of the scheduled arrival time, according to data published by the U.S. Department of Transportation in the Air Travel Consumer report released today.
United’s top performance in 2010 follows the airline’s leading position among this group for 2009.
“We outperformed our network peers through a continued focus on delivering reliable service to every customer, every day, everywhere we fly,” said Pete McDonald, executive vice president and chief operations officer.
For the month of December, United finished first for on-time performance and had the fewest number of cancelled flights among America’s five largest global carriers, according to data from the monthly report. United also ranked second among all 18 carriers whose arrival data is published in the report.
In 2010, for each month that United ranked first or second in on-time performance among the nation’s five largest global carriers, frontline co-workers received a performance incentive bonus. For the year, each eligible frontline co-worker earned a total of $1,240 in performance incentive bonuses.
About United Airlines
United Airlines, a wholly owned subsidiary of United Continental Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: UAL), operates more than 3,300 flights a day on United and United Express to more than 230 domestic and international destinations from its hubs in Chicago, Denver, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Tokyo and Washington, D.C. With key global air rights in the Asia-Pacific region, Europe and Latin America, United is a founding member of Star Alliance, which overall offers 21,000 daily flights to 1,160 airports in 181 countries.
United Continental Holdings, Inc. became the holding company for both United and Continental upon close of the merger transaction. The two airlines will operate separately as they begin to integrate key customer services, marketing activities and airport processes. For more company information, go to united.com and follow on Twitter and Facebook.
CUSTOMERS TRAVELING TO IMPACTED CITIES MAY RESCHEDULE WITHOUT PENALTY ON UNITED.COM OR CONTINENTAL.COM
CHICAGO, Feb. 2, 2011 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ —
United Continental Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: UAL) today announced travel options for United and Continental customers whose flight plans may be affected by severe winter weather forecast for Texas. Weather conditions are expected to lead to the delay or cancellation of certain flights at Continental’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport Houston hub for travel from Feb. 2 through Feb. 4. Other cities throughout Texas may also be affected.
Change Flights for No Fee at united.com or continental.com
Customers scheduled on flights to, from or through the impacted areas may reschedule their itinerary with a one-time date or time change, and the change fees will be waived. If a flight has been canceled, a refund in the original form of payment may be requested. Complete details and eligible travel dates are available at united.com and continental.com.
The fastest and most convenient way to change travel plans is via united.com or continental.com. Customers should continue to manage their reservations on the respective company’s website from which their ticket was purchased. Customers may also book a new reservation, change an existing reservation or check flight status by calling United Reservations at 800-UNITED-1 or Continental Reservations at 800-525-0280 or their travel agent. Another excellent way to receive information about flight delays, cancellations and gate changes is with United’s EasyUpdate service or Continental’s TripAlert service, which provide customers notifications via phone, text or e-mail.
What: United Airlines/ ExpressJet Embraer ERJ-145 en route from Lincoln,Nebraska to Chicago Illinois
Where: Lincoln
When: Jan 30th 2011
Who: 47 passengers
Why: While en route, the plane indicated a gear problem.
The pilot returned to Lincoln to make a safe landing.
January 11, 2011
CHICAGO, Jan. 11, 2011 – United Airlines today announced the company was first in on-time performance for domestic scheduled flights among America’s five largest global carriers* for November 2010, ending the month with 91.4 percent of flights arriving at their destinations within 14 minutes of the scheduled arrival time, according to data measured by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and published in the Air Travel Consumer report released today.
The report released today also showed United ranked first among America’s five largest global carriers for the 12 months ending in November, and second overall for the month of November 2010 among all 18 carriers included in the Air Travel Consumer Report, irrespective of size.
Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
Contact photographer Charin de Silva
What: United Airlines Boeing 777-200, en route from Chicago O’Hare,IL to Frankfurt/Main
Where: Toronto
When: Jan 3rd 2011
Who: 241 passengers
Why: While en route, the communication and navigation equipment failed, and the flight crew landed at Pearson as a safety measure. According to the FAA, the apparent reason (or a factor as the investigation is continuing) is that the equipment failed after a crew member spilled coffee on it. Additional confusion followed as pilots sent an incorrect code before they sent the “loss of communication” code.
UA sent a plane to ferry the passengers back to Chicago and another flight.
CHICAGO, Jan. 5, 2011 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ —
United Continental Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: UAL) today announced travel options for United and Continental customers whose flight plans may be affected by severe winter weather forecast for the Northeast U.S. this weekend. Weather conditions are expected to lead to the cancellation or delay of certain flights at United’s hub at Washington Dulles International Airport and at Continental’s hub at Newark Liberty International Airport. Operations at other airports throughout the Northeast may also be affected.
Change Flights for No Fee at united.com or continental.com
Customers scheduled on flights to, from or through the affected airports Jan. 7 through Jan. 9 may reschedule their itinerary with a one-time date or time change, and the change fees will be waived. If a flight has been canceled, a refund in the original form of payment may be requested. Complete details and eligible travel dates are available at united.com and continental.com. The fastest and most convenient way to change travel plans is via united.com or continental.com. Customers should continue to manage their reservations on the respective company’s website from which their tickets were purchased. Customers may also book a new reservation, change an existing reservation or check flight status by calling United Reservations at 800-UNITED-1, Continental Reservations at 800-525-0280 or their travel agents. Another way to receive information about flight delays, cancellations and gate changes is with United’s EasyUpdate service or Continental’s TripAlert service, which provide customers notifications via phone, text or e-mail.
Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
Contact photographer Je89 W.
What: United Airlines A 320 en route from Denver to Las Vegas
Where: Denver International Airport
When: Jan 3, 2011
Who: 155 passengers, 5 crew
Why: Passengers boarded at 8:30 a.m.
After takeoff, by the time they were 60 miles out, there was a strange smell in the cockpit and cabin which convinced the crew to return to Denver where they made a safe landing. Passengers disembarked with no reported injuries.
What: Skywest/United Airlines Bombardier Regional Jet en route from Saskatoon to Denver
Where: Regina International Airport
When: DECEMBER 22, 2010
Why: While en route over Saskatchewan, the crew noticed fumes in the cockpit.
The crew deployed oxygen masks, and then made a safe landing after diverting to Regina where passengers disembarked.
The plane was aired out; and it appears that the problem originated from deicing fluid which had been ingested into the aircraft’s auxiliary power unit.
Passengers reboarded and the flight continued on to Denver.
CUSTOMERS TRAVELING TO IMPACTED CITIES MAY RESCHEDULE WITHOUT PENALTY on united.com OR continental.com
CHICAGO, Dec. 20, 2010 / —
United Continental Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: UAL) today expanded travel options for United and Continental customers whose flight plans may be affected by severe winter weather in Europe. Weather conditions are expected to continue to make air travel difficult, forcing some delays and cancellations of flights to and from London, Paris, Frankfurt, Munich, Brussels and Amsterdam airports this week.
Change Flights for No Fee at united.com or continental.com
Customers scheduled on flights to, from or through these airports through Dec. 24 may reschedule their itinerary with a one-time date or time change, and the change fees will be waived. If a flight has been canceled, a refund in the original form of payment may be requested. Complete details and eligible travel dates are available at united.com and continental.com.
The fastest and most convenient way to change travel plans is via united.com or continental.com, and customers should continue to manage their reservations on the respective company’s website from which their ticket was purchased. Customers may also book a new reservation, change an existing reservation or check flight status by calling United Reservations at 800-UNITED-1 or Continental Reservations at 800-525-0280 or their travel agent.
Another excellent way to receive information about flight delays, cancellations and gate changes is with United’s EasyUpdate service or Continental’s TripAlert service, which provide customers phone, text or e-mail notifications.
About United Continental Holdings, Inc.
United Continental Holdings, Inc. is the holding company for both United Airlines and Continental Airlines. Together with United Express, Continental Express and Continental Connection, these airlines operate a total of approximately 5,800 flights a day to 371 airports on six continents from their hubs in Chicago, Cleveland, Denver, Guam, Houston, Los Angeles, New York/Newark Liberty, San Francisco, Tokyo and Washington, D.C. United and Continental are members of Star Alliance, which offers 21,000 daily flights to 1,160 airports in 181 countries. United’s and Continental’s more than 80,000 employees reside in every U.S. state and in many countries around the world.
CUSTOMERS TRAVELING TO IMPACTED CITIES MAY RESCHEDULE WITHOUT PENALTY ON UNITED.COM OR CONTINENTAL.COM
CHICAGO, Dec. 11, 2010
United Continental Holdings, Inc. ( today announced travel options for United Airlines and Continental Airlines customers whose flight plans may be affected by severe winter weather forecast for the Midwest this weekend. Weather conditions are expected to make air travel difficult, with the likelihood of delays and cancellations of flights at United’s hub at Chicago O’Hare International Airport and Continental’s hub at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport.
Operations at other airports throughout the Midwest will also be affected by severe weather. Customers should check their flight status on united.com or continental.com before leaving for the airport.
Change Flights for No Fee at united.com or continental.com
Customers scheduled on flights to, from or through the region, including Chicago and Cleveland, through Dec. 13 may reschedule their itinerary with a one-time date or time change, and the change fees will be waived. If a flight has been canceled, a refund in the original form of payment may be requested. Complete details and eligible travel dates are available at united.com and continental.com.
The fastest and most convenient way to change travel plans is via united.com or continental.com, and customers should continue to manage their reservations on the respective company’s website from which their ticket was purchased. Customers may also book a new reservation, change an existing reservation or check flight status by calling United Reservations at 800-UNITED-1 or Continental Reservations at 800-525-0280 or their travel agent. Another excellent way to receive information about flight delays, cancellations and gate changes is with United’s EasyUpdate service or Continental’s TripAlert service, which provide customers notifications via phone, text or e-mail.
About United Continental Holdings, Inc.
United Continental Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: UAL) is the holding company for both United Airlines and Continental Airlines. Together with United Express, Continental Express and Continental Connection, these airlines operate a total of approximately 5,800 flights a day to 371 airports on six continents from their hubs in Chicago, Cleveland, Denver, Guam, Houston, Los Angeles, New York/Newark Liberty, San Francisco, Tokyo and Washington, D.C. United and Continental are members of Star Alliance, which offers 21,000 daily flights to 1,160 airports in 181 countries. United’s and Continental’s more than 80,000 employees reside in every U.S. state and in many countries around the world.For more information about United Continental Holdings, Inc., go to UnitedContinentalHoldings.com. For more information about the airlines, see united.com and continental.com, and follow each company on Twitter and Facebook.
SOURCE United Continental Holdings, Inc.
What: United Airlines/Skywest Canadair CRJ-200 en route from Denver to Casper
Where: Casper/Natrona County Airport
When: 10:30 am
Who: 43 passengers
Why: On approach, the plane developed a mechanical problem with its wing flap. The plane landed safely, and was sent to maintenance for work on the wing flaps.
What: United Airlines/Colgan Air Saab 340B en route from Binghampton to Washington DC
Where: Binghampton
When: Nov 24 2010
Who: 33 passengers
Why: On takeoff, the flight developed an indication of a fire in the left engine. The pilot returned to Binghampton, and made a safe landing. After passengers evacuated, the problem was discovered to be due to a sensor fault.
What: United Airlines Airbus A319-100 en route from Chicago,IL (USA) to Calgary
Where: Chicago
When: Nov 22nd 2010
Why: While en route from Chicago, the plane developed a hydraulic problem and returned to Chicago to make a safe landing. However, landing without nosewheel steering, the plane had to be towed. Passengers were provided alternative flights.
What: United Skywest Sierra CRJ 200 en route from Tucson to San Francisco
Where: Fresno
When: Monday Nov 22
Who: 37 passengers and three crew
Why: While en route, the flight developed problems with the hydraulics. They diverted to Fresno and made a safe landing. Passengers were provided an alternative flight.
What: United Boeing 757 en route from Boston to Chicago
Where: Buffalo
When: November 21, 2010, 10:34 am
Who: 176 aboard
Why: While en route, a faulty heater caused a small crack in the windshield. Although there was no problem with decompression or passengers, the flight diverted to Buffalo, with emergency units on standby.
The plane made a routine safe landing. Passengers were provided alternate accommodations to Chicago.
What: United Airlines Boeing 777 en route from Chicago to Shanghai
Where: Winnipeg
When: Oct 25, 2010 1:40 pm
Who: 194 passengers
Why: While en route, the plane developed smoke in the cabin. The nearest place to land a 777 (requiring a long runway) was Winnipeg, so the pilot diverted to Winnipeg and made a safe landing with emergency crews on standby on the tarmac. Monday afternoon, a UA crew was assessing the plane; but a replacement plan is scheduled to arrive Tuesday to take the passengers to Shanghai.
Sometimes it seems as if it takes an emergency for a plane to get maintenance.
Airliners never stop; they land, unload passengers, cleanup, fuel up, load more passengers and they are off again.
When do planes get maintenance? After they see smoke?
It’s not just United.
Look at our posts: Engine failures, engine fires, cracked windshields, no oil pressure, low air pressure, breaking landing gear, non-working nose gear, shredding tires, smokey cabins…
When do they stop a plane long enough for it to truly get a little TLC?
I knew a former navy mechanic who said he would never fly on a commercial plane. Before AND After every flight, the crew checks every plane from nose to tail, ensuring everything is in perfect working order. It seems like a commercial plane only gets a good once over once it’s too late.
We don’t do that with our cars. You know once the car’s warning light comes on, it’s already too late, and damage has already happened. So we get timely oil changes, and basic care because every dollar spent on maintenance is a hundred dollars not spent on repair.
Sure, flight 835 plane is getting a once over now, but for that to happen, a plane full of passengers had to be put at risk.
Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
Contact photographer Royal S King
What: United Airlines Airbus A319-100 en route from Denver to Des Moines
Where: Omaha
When: Aug 10th 2010
Why: After take-off, the flight ran into weather.
The pilot diverted to Omaha, where they made a safe landing. However, on departure from Omaha, the plane developed engine vibration, and had to return to Omaha.
Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
Contact photographer Helmut Schnichels
What: United Airlines Boeing 777-200 en route from Washington to Los Angeles,CA
Where: Kansas
When: Jul 20th 2010
Who: 255 passengers and 10 crew
Why: While en route over Kansas, the flight encountered severe turbulence which caused a number of injuries. The flight diverted to Denver Colorado where they made a safe landing and were met by emergency services. 21 passengers and 4 crew were hospitalized with one head injury, one broken leg plus assorted less serious injuries. The interior of the plane incurred minor damage.
A replacement flight was provided within four hours.
What: United flight en route from San Francisco to Chicago
Where: Sioux Falls
When: July 5 2010
Who: about 200 passengers
Why: After leaving San Francisco thirty-five minutes late, the United plane’s left engine caught on fire and the plane diverted to Sioux Falls where they made a safe landing. Passengers anticipate being rerouted and facing multiple layovers before reaching their destination.
Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
Contact photographer Hediye Akyuez
What: United Airlines Embraer ERJ-145 en route from Washington DC to Ottawa
Where: Ottawa
When: Jun 16 2010
Who: 33 passengers and 3 crew
Why: On landing in rainy conditions, the plane was unable to slow down and overran the end of the runway. There were a few minor injuries (one pilot injured his leg, the other his neck and an elderly passenger injured her neck) and the plane’s collapsed nose gear damage is considered substantial.
Passengers disembarked by following the exit route and jumping from one of the wings to the grass.
Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
Contact photographer Thomas Ernst – Aviation Arts
What: United Airlines Boeing 777-200 en route from London Heathrow to Los Angeles,CA
Where: Montreal
When: May 25th 2010
Who: 96 passengers and 15 crew
Why: While en route, over the Hudson Strait, the flight encountered turbulence, injuring one stewardess and five passengers. The flight nearly diverted to O’Hare but instead diverted to Montreal, where the injured were hospitalized. A replacement Boeing was provided-
Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
Contact photographer Ben Wang
What: United Airlines Boeing 757-200 en route from New York to Los Angeles
Where: Washington
When: May 16th 2010
Who: 105 passengers and 7 crew
Why: While en route, the crew discovered a fire in the cockpit in the power wires to the windshield heaters. The crew put out the flames, and diverted to Dulles where they made a safe landing. No mention of how the passengers were handled; but this is a known problem with the windshield heaters.
Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
Contact photographer Christian Waser
What: United Airlines Boeing 767-300 en route from Washington to Brussels Belgium
Where: Dulles (Washington DC)
When: May 8th 2010
Who: 176 passengers and 11 crew
Why: About five minutes after takeoff, the on board crew was informed that pieces of the plane were left on the runway. Those pieces turned out to be the remains of tires. The plane went into a holding pattern to burn off fuel, then landed safely back at Dulles between two and three hours after takeoff. A piece of runway pavement was missing, leading to the conclusion that the runway popped the tire…
Most times I fly United and hope that their maintenance is better than the look of their wearing interiors. I don’t usually worry too much about the airport.
If I knew that the plane I was on had left pieces of itself on the runway, I’d rather be circling the airport than over the Atlantic. On the other hand, if I knew a shaggy runway was going to pop a tire on the plane I was on, I’d have walked the runway myself before taking off.
What is a frequent flier to do but nag the FAA?
