United Airlines had ordered its employees to get fully vaccinated against coronavirus by September 27, or face dire consequences. Following on the promise, the company has fired nearly 600 staff members for not complying to these rules.

There were 593 staff members who have refused to get coronavirus vaccine and have also not applied for exemption on basis of religion or medical excuse. These employees now face termination of their services with the airlines.

"Our rationale for requiring the vaccine for all United's US-based employees was simple - to keep our people safe - and the truth is this: everyone is safer when everyone is vaccinated, and vaccine requirements work," its chief executive Scott Kirby and president Brett Hart said. "This was an incredibly difficult decision but keeping our team safe has always been our first priority."

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/can-vitamin-a-help-in-treating-covid-caused-loss-of-smell-experts-answer-416845">Can Vitamin A help in treating Covid-caused loss of smell? Experts answer</a>

However, the company is also boasting about achieving 99 per cent of vaccination completion rate within the company.&nbsp;

A vast majority of employees from the totality of 67,000 have been fully vaccinated and have been able to procure proof of vaccination by the deadline of Monday.&nbsp;

Additionally, nearly 2,000 employees have requested (and have been granted) exemption from getting vaccinated on religious and medical grounds.

United Airlines has still decided to give a second chance to the 593 staff members. If these employees have, by chance, been jabbed but have only failed to submit the proof, they can submit the document before the authorities conduct formal meetings over this issue and their jobs will be safe.

It has also been made clear that any new employee will be hired only if he/she is fully vaccinated against coronavirus.

United Airlines had ordered its employees to get fully vaccinated against coronavirus by September 27, or face dire consequences. Following on the promise, the company has fired nearly 600 staff members for not complying to these rules.

United Airlines had ordered its employees to get fully vaccinated against coronavirus by September 27, or face dire consequences. Following on the promise, the company has fired nearly 600 staff members for not complying to these rules. There were 593 staff members who have refused to get coronavirus vaccine and have also not applied for exemption on basis of religion or medical excuse. These employees now face termination of their services with the airlines. "Our rationale for requiring the vaccine for all United's US-based employees was simple - to keep our people safe - and the truth is this: everyone is safer when everyone is vaccinated, and vaccine requirements work," its chief executive Scott Kirby and president Brett Hart said. "This was an incredibly difficult decision but keeping our team safe has always been our first priority." Also read | Can Vitamin A help in treating Covid-caused loss of smell? Experts answer However, the company is also boasting about achieving 99 per cent of vaccination completion rate within the company. A vast majority of employees from the totality of 67,000 have been fully vaccinated and have been able to procure proof of vaccination by the deadline of Monday. Additionally, nearly 2,000 employees have requested (and have been granted) exemption from getting vaccinated on religious and medical grounds. United Airlines has still decided to give a second chance to the 593 staff members. If these employees have, by chance, been jabbed but have only failed to submit the proof, they can submit the document before the authorities conduct formal meetings over this issue and their jobs will be safe. It has also been made clear that any new employee will be hired only if he/she is fully vaccinated against coronavirus.

United Airlines to fire nearly 600 employees for not getting vaccinated; 99% company fully jabbed

United Airlines confirmed its largest ever order for Boeing and Airbus jets. Watch this report to know more.

World Business Watch: Largest-ever order for boeing, airbus jets

United&nbsp;Airlines&nbsp;announced plans to buy 15 planes from airline startup Boom Supersonic in a move that could revive the high-speed form of air travel after the Concorde was wound down in 2003.

Under the deal,&nbsp;United&nbsp;would purchase Boom's "Overture" aircraft once the planes meet "United's demanding safety, operating and sustainability requirements", with an aim to start passenger travel in 2029, the companies said in a joint press release on Thursday.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/united-airlines-wants-to-bring-back-supersonic-air-travel-389286">United Airlines wants to bring back supersonic air travel</a>

The announcement represents a potential comeback to a once heavily-touted method of travel, although some analysts expressed scepticism, particularly over the relatively speedy timeframe.

The agreement covers 15 planes and includes an option for&nbsp;United&nbsp;to obtain another 35 aircraft. The companies did not disclose financial terms.

"It's an interesting idea, but there are a lot of questions," said Michel Merluzeau, an expert at consultancy AIR, who estimates that developing a new commercial jet that passes muster with regulators could cost $10 to $15 billion.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/boom-supersonic-jet-overture-to-begin-test-flights-in-2021-312216">Boom Supersonic jet Overture to begin test flights in 2021</a>

"We need to be realistic about this," added Merluzeau, who sees 2035 or 2040 as a more likely target date for commercial service.

Merluzeau said it also was not clear whether&nbsp;United&nbsp;had agreed to any payments or if the announcement represented an intention to purchase.&nbsp;

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-nasa-to-welcome-supersonic-commercial-travel-269033/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Boom's plane is capable of flying at twice the speed of leading aircraft now on the market, with the potential to fly from Newark to London in three and a half hours and San Francisco to Tokyo in six hours, the companies said.

The jets will also be "net-zero" in carbon use because they will use renewable fuel.

Comeback?

Commercial supersonic jet travel was introduced in the 1970s with the Concorde, but the jets were retired in 2003 due in part to the high cost of meeting environmental restrictions on sonic booms.

The Concorde's demise also followed a 2000 Air France accident that killed 113 people.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/supersonic-travel-to-return-for-first-time-since-concorde-retired-312633">Supersonic travel to return for first time since Concorde retired</a>

The aircraft could fly at over twice the speed of sound, creating its famous "sonic boom" when it burst through the sound barrier.&nbsp;

Only the wealthiest passengers were able to afford the exorbitant ticket prices for the 100-144 seats on the aircraft, which was only ever used by Air France and British Airways.

Still, the technology is getting another look today as companies in the&nbsp;United&nbsp;States and abroad develop planes with lighter and more efficient composite materials&nbsp;and new engine designs, according to a fact sheet from the Federal Aviation Administration.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/worlds-first-pilotless-supersonic-combat-drone-on-sale-for-16-million-368027">World's first pilotless supersonic combat drone on sale for $16 million</a>

"Our mission has always been about connecting people and now working with Boom, we'll be able to do that on an even greater scale," said&nbsp;United&nbsp;Chief Executive Scott Kirby.

Peter McNally, an analyst at Third Bridge, said faster flights could be appealing to business customers, adding "the key for&nbsp;United, American and Delta is business and long-distance travel."

Founded in 2014, Denver-based Boom Supersonic said it is also working with the&nbsp;United&nbsp;States Air Force on a military version of the Overture.&nbsp;

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-successfully-tests-supersonic-missile-assisted-release-of-torpedo-332608">India successfully tests Supersonic Missile assisted release of Torpedo</a>

The company has thus far raised $270 million from investors, a spokeswoman for Boom said. Boom Supersonic's supporters include venture capital investors such as Bessemer Venture Partners and American Express Ventures, a unit of the credit card company.

Boom's chief executive and co-founder, Blake Scholl, a former Amazon staffer, has touted the venture as a way to meet consumer interest in an increasingly interconnected world.

"The story of Concorde is the story of a journey started but not completed and we want to pick up on it," Scholl said in July 2018 at an event held in parallel to the Farnborough Airshow.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/nasas-quesst-the-second-generation-of-supersonic-planes-18325">NASA's QueSST: The second generation supersonic planes</a>

Jon Ostrower, the editor of the aviation publication The Air Current, said on Twitter that&nbsp;United's order marked a shift in a long-term industry trend.

"The last time&nbsp;United&nbsp;ordered supersonic aircraft, humans had yet to walk on the Moon," Ostrower said. "More than a half century later,&nbsp;United&nbsp;is again focusing on speed, bucking the most consistent airline trend over the past 50 years: a desire to fly cheaper, not faster."

A competing startup for supersonic travel, Aerion, shut down in May after Boeing pulled the plug on its investment.

"We couldn't get there with respect to the market and with respect to the needed investment," Boeing Chief Executive dave Calhoun said at a conference Thursday, adding that the company reached a point "where we didn't believe in it quite as much as we thought we could."

Major new investments must have meaningful upside to work at Boeing, and "we don't have to be big on every form of air travel," Calhoun added.

(With inputs from agencies)

United Airlines announced plans to buy 15 planes from airline startup Boom Supersonic in a move that could revive the high-speed form of air travel after the Concorde was wound down in 2003.

United Airlines announced plans to buy 15 planes from airline startup Boom Supersonic in a move that could revive the high-speed form of air travel after the Concorde was wound down in 2003. Under the deal, United would purchase Boom's "Overture" aircraft once the planes meet "United's demanding safety, operating and sustainability requirements", with an aim to start passenger travel in 2029, the companies said in a joint press release on Thursday. Also Read | United Airlines wants to bring back supersonic air travel The announcement represents a potential comeback to a once heavily-touted method of travel, although some analysts expressed scepticism, particularly over the relatively speedy timeframe. The agreement covers 15 planes and includes an option for United to obtain another 35 aircraft. The companies did not disclose financial terms. "It's an interesting idea, but there are a lot of questions," said Michel Merluzeau, an expert at consultancy AIR, who estimates that developing a new commercial jet that passes muster with regulators could cost $10 to $15 billion. Also Read | Boom Supersonic jet Overture to begin test flights in 2021 "We need to be realistic about this," added Merluzeau, who sees 2035 or 2040 as a more likely target date for commercial service. Merluzeau said it also was not clear whether United had agreed to any payments or if the announcement represented an intention to purchase. Boom's plane is capable of flying at twice the speed of leading aircraft now on the market, with the potential to fly from Newark to London in three and a half hours and San Francisco to Tokyo in six hours, the companies said. The jets will also be "net-zero" in carbon use because they will use renewable fuel. Comeback? Commercial supersonic jet travel was introduced in the 1970s with the Concorde, but the jets were retired in 2003 due in part to the high cost of meeting environmental restrictions on sonic booms. The Concorde's demise also followed a 2000 Air France accident that killed 113 people. Also Read | Supersonic travel to return for first time since Concorde retired The aircraft could fly at over twice the speed of sound, creating its famous "sonic boom" when it burst through the sound barrier. Only the wealthiest passengers were able to afford the exorbitant ticket prices for the 100-144 seats on the aircraft, which was only ever used by Air France and British Airways. Still, the technology is getting another look today as companies in the United States and abroad develop planes with lighter and more efficient composite materials and new engine designs, according to a fact sheet from the Federal Aviation Administration. Also Read | World's first pilotless supersonic combat drone on sale for $16 million "Our mission has always been about connecting people and now working with Boom, we'll be able to do that on an even greater scale," said United Chief Executive Scott Kirby. Peter McNally, an analyst at Third Bridge, said faster flights could be appealing to business customers, adding "the key for United, American and Delta is business and long-distance travel." Founded in 2014, Denver-based Boom Supersonic said it is also working with the United States Air Force on a military version of the Overture. Also Read | India successfully tests Supersonic Missile assisted release of Torpedo The company has thus far raised $270 million from investors, a spokeswoman for Boom said. Boom Supersonic's supporters include venture capital investors such as Bessemer Venture Partners and American Express Ventures, a unit of the credit card company. Boom's chief executive and co-founder, Blake Scholl, a former Amazon staffer, has touted the venture as a way to meet consumer interest in an increasingly interconnected world. "The story of Concorde is the story of a journey started but not completed and we want to pick up on it," Scholl said in July 2018 at an event held in parallel to the Farnborough Airshow. Also Read | NASA's QueSST: The second generation supersonic planes Jon Ostrower, the editor of the aviation publication The Air Current, said on Twitter that United's order marked a shift in a long-term industry trend. "The last time United ordered supersonic aircraft, humans had yet to walk on the Moon," Ostrower said. "More than a half century later, United is again focusing on speed, bucking the most consistent airline trend over the past 50 years: a desire to fly cheaper, not faster." A competing startup for supersonic travel, Aerion, shut down in May after Boeing pulled the plug on its investment. "We couldn't get there with respect to the market and with respect to the needed investment," Boeing Chief Executive dave Calhoun said at a conference Thursday, adding that the company reached a point "where we didn't believe in it quite as much as we thought we could." Major new investments must have meaningful upside to work at Boeing, and "we don't have to be big on every form of air travel," Calhoun added. (With inputs from agencies)

United Airlines unveils plan to revive supersonic jet travel

The era of supersonic commercial flights came to an end when the Concorde completed its last trip between New York and London in 2003, but the allure of ultrafast air travel never quite died out.

President Joe Biden mused about supersonic flights when discussing his infrastructure plan in April. And on Thursday, United Airlines said it was ordering 15 jets that can travel faster than the speed of sound from Boom Supersonic, a startup in Denver. The airline said it had an option to increase its order by up to 35 planes.

Boom, which has raised $270 million from venture capital firms and other investors, said it planned to introduce aircraft in 2025 and start flight tests in 2026. It expects the plane, which it calls the Overture, to carry passengers before the end of the decade.

But the startup’s plans have already slipped at least once, and it will have to overcome many obstacles, including securing approval from the Federal Aviation Administration and regulators in other countries. Even established manufacturers have stumbled when introducing new or redesigned planes. Boeing’s 737 Max was grounded for nearly two years after two crashes.

The deal is United’s latest attempt to position itself as a risk taker shaking up an industry that is just getting back on its feet after a devastating pandemic. The airline announced a $20 million investment in an electric air taxi startup, Archer, in February, and it is working on a "steady drumbeat" of more such bets, said Michael Leskinen, who heads corporate development at United.

"We are really confident in the future," Leskinen said. "Aerospace takes a long time to innovate. And so if you don’t start setting these opportunities out now, you will have missed them."

United and Boom would not disclose financial details, including the cost of each plane, but Leskinen said the economics should be about the same as a new Boeing 787, a widebody plane that airlines typically use on international routes. United has committed to buying the planes if Boom manages to produce them, secure regulatory approvals and hit other targets, like meeting its sustainability requirements.

Boom also plans to make planes for Japan Airlines, an investor in the company.

What is not clear is whether Boom has solved the problems that forced British Airways and Air France to stop using the Concorde on trans-Atlantic flights — high costs, safety concerns and flagging demand.

"There was no airline interest," Henry Harteveldt, a travel industry analyst and consultant, said about why supersonic flights languished. "And a big part of the lack of airline interest was there were no engines that were commercially available that would allow a supersonic jet to be economically viable."

Two decades later, some startup companies, including Boom and Spike Aerospace, are pushing ahead with new designs and plans.

Boom, which is working with Rolls-Royce, the British jet engine maker, said its plane would be more efficient than the Concorde; United estimates it will be 75% more efficient. Boom’s planes will not be as noisy as the Concorde because their engines will create a sonic boom only when flying over water "when there’s no one to hear it," said Boom’s chief executive, Blake Scholl, who previously worked at Amazon and Groupon.

In recent years, many people have also grown increasingly concerned about air travel’s contribution to climate change. Supersonic jets are expected to use more fuel than regular jets per passenger per mile, according to experts.

Scholl said the engines on Boom’s planes would rely entirely on sustainable aviation fuel, which can be made from waste, plants and other organic matter. Experts say such fuel could reduce emissions, but its supply is limited, it is expensive and its use does not eliminate greenhouse gas emissions.

United said it was too early to know how much it would charge for the flights, which it would run out of its hubs in Newark, New Jersey, and San Francisco to start. But another big question mark about the plane is how many people will be willing to spend the thousands of dollars that each ticket on a supersonic flight is likely to cost.

United has long focused on business travelers, including by adding flights to Israel, China and other destinations popular with executives and by offering more business class seats on its planes. Leskinen called the idea of supersonic travel a "really powerful tool for business."

"You can have a business meeting and still be home to have dinner with your family," he said.

But corporate and international travel is expected to rebound slowly from the pandemic, and some experts say it might not recover fully for years because companies have realized that they can be effective without as many in-person meetings.

"The key to the success of supersonic transportation is the overlooked, underappreciated corporate travel manager, who is probably relegated to one of the worst offices in his or her company — and his primary task is to minimize corporate spending on business travel,"&nbsp;said Harteveldt.

If flights save a third of the travel time but also cost a third more, travel managers may end up saying, "I don’t know if we can justify that," he said.

The era of supersonic commercial flights came to an end when the Concorde completed its last trip between New York and London in 2003, but the allure of ultrafast air travel never quite died out.

The era of supersonic commercial flights came to an end when the Concorde completed its last trip between New York and London in 2003, but the allure of ultrafast air travel never quite died out. President Joe Biden mused about supersonic flights when discussing his infrastructure plan in April. And on Thursday, United Airlines said it was ordering 15 jets that can travel faster than the speed of sound from Boom Supersonic, a startup in Denver. The airline said it had an option to increase its order by up to 35 planes. Boom, which has raised $270 million from venture capital firms and other investors, said it planned to introduce aircraft in 2025 and start flight tests in 2026. It expects the plane, which it calls the Overture, to carry passengers before the end of the decade. But the startup’s plans have already slipped at least once, and it will have to overcome many obstacles, including securing approval from the Federal Aviation Administration and regulators in other countries. Even established manufacturers have stumbled when introducing new or redesigned planes. Boeing’s 737 Max was grounded for nearly two years after two crashes. The deal is United’s latest attempt to position itself as a risk taker shaking up an industry that is just getting back on its feet after a devastating pandemic. The airline announced a $20 million investment in an electric air taxi startup, Archer, in February, and it is working on a "steady drumbeat" of more such bets, said Michael Leskinen, who heads corporate development at United. "We are really confident in the future," Leskinen said. "Aerospace takes a long time to innovate. And so if you don’t start setting these opportunities out now, you will have missed them." United and Boom would not disclose financial details, including the cost of each plane, but Leskinen said the economics should be about the same as a new Boeing 787, a widebody plane that airlines typically use on international routes. United has committed to buying the planes if Boom manages to produce them, secure regulatory approvals and hit other targets, like meeting its sustainability requirements. Boom also plans to make planes for Japan Airlines, an investor in the company. What is not clear is whether Boom has solved the problems that forced British Airways and Air France to stop using the Concorde on trans-Atlantic flights — high costs, safety concerns and flagging demand. "There was no airline interest," Henry Harteveldt, a travel industry analyst and consultant, said about why supersonic flights languished. "And a big part of the lack of airline interest was there were no engines that were commercially available that would allow a supersonic jet to be economically viable." Two decades later, some startup companies, including Boom and Spike Aerospace, are pushing ahead with new designs and plans. Boom, which is working with Rolls-Royce, the British jet engine maker, said its plane would be more efficient than the Concorde; United estimates it will be 75% more efficient. Boom’s planes will not be as noisy as the Concorde because their engines will create a sonic boom only when flying over water "when there’s no one to hear it," said Boom’s chief executive, Blake Scholl, who previously worked at Amazon and Groupon. In recent years, many people have also grown increasingly concerned about air travel’s contribution to climate change. Supersonic jets are expected to use more fuel than regular jets per passenger per mile, according to experts. Scholl said the engines on Boom’s planes would rely entirely on sustainable aviation fuel, which can be made from waste, plants and other organic matter. Experts say such fuel could reduce emissions, but its supply is limited, it is expensive and its use does not eliminate greenhouse gas emissions. United said it was too early to know how much it would charge for the flights, which it would run out of its hubs in Newark, New Jersey, and San Francisco to start. But another big question mark about the plane is how many people will be willing to spend the thousands of dollars that each ticket on a supersonic flight is likely to cost. United has long focused on business travelers, including by adding flights to Israel, China and other destinations popular with executives and by offering more business class seats on its planes. Leskinen called the idea of supersonic travel a "really powerful tool for business." "You can have a business meeting and still be home to have dinner with your family," he said. But corporate and international travel is expected to rebound slowly from the pandemic, and some experts say it might not recover fully for years because companies have realized that they can be effective without as many in-person meetings. "The key to the success of supersonic transportation is the overlooked, underappreciated corporate travel manager, who is probably relegated to one of the worst offices in his or her company — and his primary task is to minimize corporate spending on business travel," said Harteveldt. If flights save a third of the travel time but also cost a third more, travel managers may end up saying, "I don’t know if we can justify that," he said.

United Airlines wants to bring back supersonic air travel

A group of US lawmakers is demanding that airlines refrain from outsourcing jobs if they want to be eligible for a third round of federal payroll aid, after learning that United Airlines has sought bids to outsource catering work at five airports.

As United Airlines weighs outsourcing catering, US lawmakers demand new curbs on federal aid

United airlines plans to operate more than half its pre-pandemic capacity in the three-month period, which will be 45% than the same period in 2019

United Airlines reports $2.4 billion loss in Q1

After a United Airlines' engine suffered a fire, the US regulators have ordered more inspections of certain Pratt and Whitney airplane motors.

The engine failure over the weekend in the United Airlines flight had led to dozens of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/several-boeing-777s-suspended-after-united-airlines-incident-india-not-affected-365290/amp">Boeing 777</a> aircraft being grounded worldwide, fearing the possibility of any such future incidents.

Also read|<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/united-airlines-engine-catches-fire-mid-air-debris-falls-on-houses-in-colorado-365125">&nbsp;United Airlines' engine catches fire mid-air; debris falls on houses in Colorado</a>

"US operators of airplanes equipped with certain Pratt &amp; Whitney PW4000 engines (must) inspect these engines before further flight," instructed the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

This order has been issued by FAA "as a result of a fan-blade failure that occurred Saturday on a Boeing 777-200 that had just departed from Denver International Airport."

The United Flight 328 in question was flying from Denver to Honolulu. Shortly after its take-off, metal fatigue emerged in the engine, leading to an engine failure. The right-side engine caught fire mid-air, leading to debris falling off in neighbourhoods of Broomfield.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/united-airlines-grounds-boeing-777s-from-service-after-engine-failure-365325/amp">WATCH|</a>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/united-airlines-grounds-boeing-777s-from-service-after-engine-failure-365325/amp/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

"Operators must conduct a thermal acoustic image (TAI) inspection of the large titanium fan blades located at the front of each engine. TAI technology can detect cracks on the interior surfaces of the hollow fan blades, or in areas that cannot be seen during a visual inspection," the FAA said.

Even before the Denver incident, the US regulators have been investigating jets with Pratt &amp; Whitney engines, for which questions were raised following the December 2020 incident in Japan.

After a United Airlines' engine suffered a fire, the US regulators have ordered more inspections of certain Pratt and Whitney airplane motors. The engine failure over the weekend in the United Airlines flight had led to dozens of Boeing 777 aircraft being grounded worldwide, fearing the possibility of any such future incidents.

After a United Airlines' engine suffered a fire, the US regulators have ordered more inspections of certain Pratt and Whitney airplane motors. The engine failure over the weekend in the United Airlines flight had led to dozens of Boeing 777 aircraft being grounded worldwide, fearing the possibility of any such future incidents. Also read| United Airlines' engine catches fire mid-air; debris falls on houses in Colorado "US operators of airplanes equipped with certain Pratt & Whitney PW4000 engines (must) inspect these engines before further flight," instructed the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). This order has been issued by FAA "as a result of a fan-blade failure that occurred Saturday on a Boeing 777-200 that had just departed from Denver International Airport." The United Flight 328 in question was flying from Denver to Honolulu. Shortly after its take-off, metal fatigue emerged in the engine, leading to an engine failure. The right-side engine caught fire mid-air, leading to debris falling off in neighbourhoods of Broomfield. WATCH| "Operators must conduct a thermal acoustic image (TAI) inspection of the large titanium fan blades located at the front of each engine. TAI technology can detect cracks on the interior surfaces of the hollow fan blades, or in areas that cannot be seen during a visual inspection," the FAA said. Even before the Denver incident, the US regulators have been investigating jets with Pratt & Whitney engines, for which questions were raised following the December 2020 incident in Japan.

US regulators order deeper inspections of engines after Denver incident

A day after a United Airlines plane suffered an engine fire in the United States, the US Federal Aviation Administration has ordered extra inspections of some Boeing 777 passenger jets.

The order of investigation has come after a United Airlines Boeing flight suffered an engine fault shortly after its take-off and ended up scattering its debris across the neighbourhoods of Colorado.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/united-airlines-engine-catches-fire-mid-air-debris-falls-on-houses-in-colorado-365125">United Airlines' engine catches fire mid-air; debris falls on houses in Colorado</a>

The investigation has led to the suspension of several Boeing 777s from service. However, India remains unaffected by this decision. as the exiting Boeing 777s do not have&nbsp;P&amp;W 4000-112 engine.

"I have directed them to issue an Emergency Airworthiness Directive that would require immediate or stepped-up inspections of Boeing 777 airoplanes equipped with certain Pratt &amp; Whitney PW4000 engines," FAA Administrator Steve Dickson said.

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Statement from FAA Administrator Steve Dickson. <a href="https://t.co/dGkUYuKNAL">pic.twitter.com/dGkUYuKNAL</a>
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The flight had nearly 230 passengers and 10 crew members on board when the right engine of the plane set ablaze. This led to the cover of the wing, too, coming out mid-air.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/united-flight-suffers-engine-failure-drops-debris-but-safely-returns-to-denver-airport-365246">WATCH|</a>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/united-flight-suffers-engine-failure-drops-debris-but-safely-returns-to-denver-airport-365246/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Headed to Honolulu, the flight had to make an emergency landing at the Denver airport.

While there were no injuries, on the plane or the ground, the FAA believes a safety data review and additional checks of the jet engine's fan blades as needed.

"Boeing is actively monitoring recent events related to United Airlines Flight 328. While the NTSB investigation is ongoing, we recommended suspending operations of the 69 in-service and 59 in-storage 777s powered by Pratt &amp; Whitney 4000-112 engines until the FAA identifies the appropriate inspection protocol," Boeing said in a statement.

"Boeing supports the decision yesterday by the Japan Civil Aviation Bureau, and the FAA’s action today to suspend operations of 777 aircraft powered by Pratt &amp; Whitney 4000-112 engines. We are working with these regulators as they take actions while these planes are on the ground and further inspections are conducted by Pratt &amp; Whitney," it said.

A day after a United Airlines plane suffered an engine fire in the United States, the US Federal Aviation Administration has ordered extra inspections of some Boeing 777 passenger jets.

A day after a United Airlines plane suffered an engine fire in the United States, the US Federal Aviation Administration has ordered extra inspections of some Boeing 777 passenger jets. The order of investigation has come after a United Airlines Boeing flight suffered an engine fault shortly after its take-off and ended up scattering its debris across the neighbourhoods of Colorado. Also read| United Airlines' engine catches fire mid-air; debris falls on houses in Colorado The investigation has led to the suspension of several Boeing 777s from service. However, India remains unaffected by this decision. as the exiting Boeing 777s do not have P&W 4000-112 engine. "I have directed them to issue an Emergency Airworthiness Directive that would require immediate or stepped-up inspections of Boeing 777 airoplanes equipped with certain Pratt & Whitney PW4000 engines," FAA Administrator Steve Dickson said. Statement from FAA Administrator Steve Dickson. pic.twitter.com/dGkUYuKNAL — The FAA ✈️ (@FAANews) February 21, 2021 × The flight had nearly 230 passengers and 10 crew members on board when the right engine of the plane set ablaze. This led to the cover of the wing, too, coming out mid-air. WATCH| Headed to Honolulu, the flight had to make an emergency landing at the Denver airport. While there were no injuries, on the plane or the ground, the FAA believes a safety data review and additional checks of the jet engine's fan blades as needed. "Boeing is actively monitoring recent events related to United Airlines Flight 328. While the NTSB investigation is ongoing, we recommended suspending operations of the 69 in-service and 59 in-storage 777s powered by Pratt & Whitney 4000-112 engines until the FAA identifies the appropriate inspection protocol," Boeing said in a statement. "Boeing supports the decision yesterday by the Japan Civil Aviation Bureau, and the FAA’s action today to suspend operations of 777 aircraft powered by Pratt & Whitney 4000-112 engines. We are working with these regulators as they take actions while these planes are on the ground and further inspections are conducted by Pratt & Whitney," it said.

Several Boeing 777s suspended after United Airlines' incident; India not affected

The neighbourhoods of Broomfield had an untimely rain, but of plane debris as a United Airlines plane took flight with a faulty engine.&nbsp;

United Flight 328 had to return to Denver International Airport on Saturday afternoon after its engine caught fire midway.

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<a href="https://t.co/FfnekCUXD8">https://t.co/FfnekCUXD8</a>
— Nacho (@ChipzNgiggles) <a href="https://twitter.com/ChipzNgiggles/status/1363251283688259584?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 20, 2021</a></blockquote>
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The plane, bound for Honolulu, suffered an engine failure shortly after take-off which led to debris falling off on neighbourhoods of Broomfield, Colorado.

"The FAA is aware of reports of debris in the vicinity of the airplane's flight path," the Federal Aviation Administration said in a statement.

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This photo was taken near 13th and Elmwood. Media stage in Commons Park on North side near dog park. PIO eta is 30 mins. <a href="https://t.co/vfXlToB5mE">pic.twitter.com/vfXlToB5mE</a>
— Broomfield Police (@BroomfieldPD) <a href="https://twitter.com/BroomfieldPD/status/1363229479141785606?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 20, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Shortly after take-off, the plane's right-side engine experienced a fault which resulted in a fire in the engine. This led to debris falling off in front porches, open fields and house roofs of people in the city.

"Getting reports that a plane flying over @broomfield had engine trouble and dropped debris in several neighborhoods around 1:08 pm. No injuries reported at this time. Plane did not land in Broomfield," a tweet by the Broomfield Police Department read.

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Additional debris scattered across turf field at Commons Park. Please avoid the area if possible. <a href="https://t.co/tmos5HBVwV">pic.twitter.com/tmos5HBVwV</a>
— Broomfield Police (@BroomfieldPD) <a href="https://twitter.com/BroomfieldPD/status/1363239786085982209?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 20, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Locals rushed to Twitter to send out pictures of debris scattered in different areas and even their own houses in areas such as Commons Park and Elmwood.

The police department cautioned locals to stay away from debris and not touch it.

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.<a href="https://twitter.com/NTSB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NTSB</a> is sending a team to take over the investigation. Once again please don’t touch or move any debris and report to dispatch at 303.438.6400 ASAP. <a href="https://t.co/zBl0s4jIFA">pic.twitter.com/zBl0s4jIFA</a>
— Broomfield Police (@BroomfieldPD) <a href="https://twitter.com/BroomfieldPD/status/1363244827526139905?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 20, 2021</a></blockquote>
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A weather alert was also issued later in the city urging people to exercise caution on roads. Many believe the bad weather conditions may also have added to the unstable condition of the faulty engine of the United Airlines flight.

The plane landed within 20 minutes of Broomfield Police Department's tweet. As of now, no casualties have been reported. An investigation is being launched into the matter of the faulty engine.

The neighbourhoods of Broomfield had an untimely rain, but of plane debris as a United Airlines plane took flight with a faulty engine. United Flight 328 had to return to Denver International Airport on Saturday afternoon after its engine caught fire midway.

The neighbourhoods of Broomfield had an untimely rain, but of plane debris as a United Airlines plane took flight with a faulty engine. United Flight 328 had to return to Denver International Airport on Saturday afternoon after its engine caught fire midway. https://t.co/FfnekCUXD8 — Nacho (@ChipzNgiggles) February 20, 2021 × The plane, bound for Honolulu, suffered an engine failure shortly after take-off which led to debris falling off on neighbourhoods of Broomfield, Colorado. "The FAA is aware of reports of debris in the vicinity of the airplane's flight path," the Federal Aviation Administration said in a statement. This photo was taken near 13th and Elmwood. Media stage in Commons Park on North side near dog park. PIO eta is 30 mins. pic.twitter.com/vfXlToB5mE — Broomfield Police (@BroomfieldPD) February 20, 2021 × Shortly after take-off, the plane's right-side engine experienced a fault which resulted in a fire in the engine. This led to debris falling off in front porches, open fields and house roofs of people in the city. "Getting reports that a plane flying over @broomfield had engine trouble and dropped debris in several neighborhoods around 1:08 pm. No injuries reported at this time. Plane did not land in Broomfield," a tweet by the Broomfield Police Department read. Additional debris scattered across turf field at Commons Park. Please avoid the area if possible. pic.twitter.com/tmos5HBVwV — Broomfield Police (@BroomfieldPD) February 20, 2021 × Locals rushed to Twitter to send out pictures of debris scattered in different areas and even their own houses in areas such as Commons Park and Elmwood. The police department cautioned locals to stay away from debris and not touch it. .@NTSB is sending a team to take over the investigation. Once again please don’t touch or move any debris and report to dispatch at 303.438.6400 ASAP. pic.twitter.com/zBl0s4jIFA — Broomfield Police (@BroomfieldPD) February 20, 2021 × A weather alert was also issued later in the city urging people to exercise caution on roads. Many believe the bad weather conditions may also have added to the unstable condition of the faulty engine of the United Airlines flight. The plane landed within 20 minutes of Broomfield Police Department's tweet. As of now, no casualties have been reported. An investigation is being launched into the matter of the faulty engine.

United Airlines' engine catches fire mid-air; debris falls on houses in Colorado

Investigators believe a fan blade in the engine of the Boeing 777 that experienced a catastrophic engine failure on Saturday came off and took out another blade

United Airlines grounds Boeing 777's from service after engine failure

Boeing orders suspension of some 777 aircraft after United Airlines incident

A United Airlines flight bound for Honolulu suffered a right engine failure on Saturday (February 20) shortly after departing Denver International Airport, scattering debris but returning safely to the airport, the Federal Aviation Administration said.

United flight suffers engine failure, drops debris but safely returns to Denver airport

United Airlines Holdings Inc on Wednesday reported a fourth straight quarterly loss as the coronavirus pandemic.

United Airlines pledges more cost cuts post fourth straight quarterly loss

United Airlines is preparing for the biggest pilot furloughs of its history after announcing on Thursday the need to cut 2,850 pilot jobs.

United Airlines announces biggest pilot job cut in its history

United Airlines on Wednesday said it is warning about 36,000 front-line employees.

United Airlines warns 36,000 employees of potential job

Failing to abide by social distancing measures on board, United Airlines has been slammed by passengers for putting their safety at risk.

United Airlines put passengers' safety at risk, no social distancing measures on board

Boeing on Tuesday endorsed simulator training for pilots of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/sales-of-grounded-boeing-737-max-gather-pace-at-dubai-airshow-263161">737 MAX</a> prior to resuming flights, a change likely to further delay the aircraft's return to the skies.

The aviation giant, which has been roiled by a nine-month crisis after the plane was grounded following two deadly crashes, described the new stance as reflective of its "unstinting commitment" to safety.

The company previously argued pilots would need only computer-based training, so the announcement was the first major shift in approach since Boeing replaced its chief executive in late December.

But requiring pilots to train on simulators is expected to delay the resumption of commercial flights because of the limited number of MAX simulators available.

Focus now turns to the US Federal Aviation Administration, which previously resisted calls by Canadian and European regulators for the additional pilot training.

The MAX has been grounded since mid-March following the second of the two fatal crashes that together claimed 346 lives.

Boeing and the FAA have drawn intense criticism for their handling of the crisis as well as the process for certifying the plane to fly.

"Safety is Boeing's top priority," the company's acting Chief Executive Greg Smith said in a statement.

"Public, customer and stakeholder confidence in the 737 MAX is critically important to us and with that focus Boeing has decided to recommend MAX simulator training combined with computer-based training for all pilots prior to returning the MAX safely to service."

An FAA spokesman said the agency will consider Boeing's advice during an upcoming meeting involving a board of US and foreign air carrier crews that will help inform the agency's official recommendation before it is opened for public comment.

"The FAA is following a thorough process, not a set timeline, to ensure that any design modifications to the 737 MAX are integrated with appropriate training and procedures," the FAA spokesman said.

Michel Merluzeau, an aviation expert at Air Insight Research, said requiring simulator training would extend the delay before flights resume, but the step was essentially inevitable.

"It's a common-sense decision," Merluzeau told AFP. "It's something that shows that they are being very careful and not taking any shortcuts to speed the MAX's return to service."

US Representative <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/united-states-lawmakers-will-press-boeing-ceo-on-day-two-of-testimony-258870">Peter DeFazio</a>, an Oregon Democrat who is leading a congressional probe of the MAX crashes, said simulator training was the right decision but "it's remarkable that it took two deadly crashes, numerous investigations and untold public pressure before Boeing arrived at this decision."

The debate over training requirements has loomed as an open question as Boeing worked on new software to address a problem with a flight handling system linked to both crashes.

The FAA also has raised additional concerns against a backdrop of intensifying public and congressional scrutiny.

Pilot Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger III, who famously landed a damaged plane on the Hudson River in New York in 2009, forcefully endorsed simulator training in a July congressional hearing, saying "reading about it on an iPad is not even close to sufficient."

A Boeing spokesman said Tuesday there are currently 34 MAX simulators around the world, 26 owned by airline operators and eight owned by Boeing.

That is a fraction of the 387 planes already delivered and roughly 400 additional planes that have been built and stored since the regulators worldwide grounded the MAX in March.

One option that has been discussed would be to conduct training through an updated simulator for Boeing's 737 NG, a predecessor to the MAX.

Southwest Airlines, which has the most MAX planes in service, has three simulators in "various stages of FAA certification, and we expect to receive an additional three simulators in late 2020," a spokeswoman said.

Having insisted that simulator training was not necessary, Boeing had promised Southwest rebate of $1 million per-plane if simulator training was needed, a source told AFP last year.

An American Airlines spokesman said the carrier has one simulator, while United Airlines has one MAX simulator and three on order, a spokesman said.

In December, Boeing ousted Dennis Muilenburg as chief executive and tapped long-time board member <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/new-boeing-boss-david-calhoun-is-a-tough-minded-veteran-of-crisis-269920">David Calhoun</a> who takes over on January 13.

Boeing's share price gained ground on the news and finished up 1.1 per cent at $337.28.

Boeing on Tuesday endorsed simulator training for pilots of the 737 MAX prior to resuming flights, a change likely to further delay the aircraft's return to the skies.

Boeing on Tuesday endorsed simulator training for pilots of the 737 MAX prior to resuming flights, a change likely to further delay the aircraft's return to the skies. The aviation giant, which has been roiled by a nine-month crisis after the plane was grounded following two deadly crashes, described the new stance as reflective of its "unstinting commitment" to safety. The company previously argued pilots would need only computer-based training, so the announcement was the first major shift in approach since Boeing replaced its chief executive in late December. But requiring pilots to train on simulators is expected to delay the resumption of commercial flights because of the limited number of MAX simulators available. Focus now turns to the US Federal Aviation Administration, which previously resisted calls by Canadian and European regulators for the additional pilot training. The MAX has been grounded since mid-March following the second of the two fatal crashes that together claimed 346 lives. Boeing and the FAA have drawn intense criticism for their handling of the crisis as well as the process for certifying the plane to fly. "Safety is Boeing's top priority," the company's acting Chief Executive Greg Smith said in a statement. "Public, customer and stakeholder confidence in the 737 MAX is critically important to us and with that focus Boeing has decided to recommend MAX simulator training combined with computer-based training for all pilots prior to returning the MAX safely to service." An FAA spokesman said the agency will consider Boeing's advice during an upcoming meeting involving a board of US and foreign air carrier crews that will help inform the agency's official recommendation before it is opened for public comment. "The FAA is following a thorough process, not a set timeline, to ensure that any design modifications to the 737 MAX are integrated with appropriate training and procedures," the FAA spokesman said. Michel Merluzeau, an aviation expert at Air Insight Research, said requiring simulator training would extend the delay before flights resume, but the step was essentially inevitable. "It's a common-sense decision," Merluzeau told AFP. "It's something that shows that they are being very careful and not taking any shortcuts to speed the MAX's return to service." US Representative Peter DeFazio, an Oregon Democrat who is leading a congressional probe of the MAX crashes, said simulator training was the right decision but "it's remarkable that it took two deadly crashes, numerous investigations and untold public pressure before Boeing arrived at this decision." The debate over training requirements has loomed as an open question as Boeing worked on new software to address a problem with a flight handling system linked to both crashes. The FAA also has raised additional concerns against a backdrop of intensifying public and congressional scrutiny. Pilot Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger III, who famously landed a damaged plane on the Hudson River in New York in 2009, forcefully endorsed simulator training in a July congressional hearing, saying "reading about it on an iPad is not even close to sufficient." A Boeing spokesman said Tuesday there are currently 34 MAX simulators around the world, 26 owned by airline operators and eight owned by Boeing. That is a fraction of the 387 planes already delivered and roughly 400 additional planes that have been built and stored since the regulators worldwide grounded the MAX in March. One option that has been discussed would be to conduct training through an updated simulator for Boeing's 737 NG, a predecessor to the MAX. Southwest Airlines, which has the most MAX planes in service, has three simulators in "various stages of FAA certification, and we expect to receive an additional three simulators in late 2020," a spokeswoman said. Having insisted that simulator training was not necessary, Boeing had promised Southwest rebate of $1 million per-plane if simulator training was needed, a source told AFP last year. An American Airlines spokesman said the carrier has one simulator, while United Airlines has one MAX simulator and three on order, a spokesman said. In December, Boeing ousted Dennis Muilenburg as chief executive and tapped long-time board member David Calhoun who takes over on January 13. Boeing's share price gained ground on the news and finished up 1.1 per cent at $337.28.

Boeing recommends 737 MAX simulator training before return to service

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/united-airlines-bars-two-girls-from-boarding-for-wearing-leggings-13833">United Airlines</a> said Tuesday it had ordered 50 Airbus A321XLR aircraft, worth an estimated $6.5 billion, to replace an existing fleet of aging Boeings.

The new Airbus planes, which will be delivered in 2024, will allow United to retire its Boeing 757-200s, the company said.&nbsp;

The<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/us-may-increase-tariffs-after-world-trade-organization-rejects-european-union-claims-over-airbus-265870"> Airbus</a> order is the latest blow to the American manufacturer, already deeply mired in the crisis surrounding its 737 MAX.

Boeing, whose 737 MAX has been grounded worldwide after two crashes that resulted in 346 deaths, currently has no new aircraft to compete with the Airbus A321XLR in the mid-market range.

Airbus launched the A321XLR only this year, at the<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/paris-air-show-how-britains-future-combat-air-system-will-overpower-dassaults-rafale-228062"> Paris Air Show </a>in June.&nbsp;

The single-aisle aircraft's range is 15 percent above that of its predecessor model, the A321LR, making it a cost-effective alternative to long-haul wide-body planes.

United said it intends to use the new aircraft to serve additional European destinations from US East Coast hubs in Newark/New York and Washington.

United turned to Airbus for the purchase due to Boeing's lack of aircraft in the mid-market range, a source close to the matter told AFP on condition of anonymity.

"There are no aircraft currently offered by Boeing that can replace the 757," the source said, adding that negotiations between Airbus and United began several months ago.

Boeing, which is currently focused on returning its MAX aircraft to the sky, has already postponed the possible announcement of a new model aircraft (NMA) until next year.

The manufacturer recently presented the design to various airlines, industrial sources told AFP.

Airbus decided to no longer publish the catalog prices for its aircraft beginning in 2019. However, the A321XLR is a long-range version of the A321, whose unit value was $129.5 million in 2018.

United has meanwhile postponed receipt of its first 45 Airbus A350 long-haul aircraft by five years.

The company, which ordered the planes in 2017, said it now plans to have them delivered in 2027 instead of 2022.

United Airlines said Tuesday it had ordered 50 Airbus A321XLR aircraft, worth an estimated $6.5 billion, to replace an existing fleet of aging Boeings. The new Airbus planes, which will be delivered in 2024, will allow United to retire its Boeing 757-200s, the company said.

United Airlines said Tuesday it had ordered 50 Airbus A321XLR aircraft, worth an estimated $6.5 billion, to replace an existing fleet of aging Boeings. The new Airbus planes, which will be delivered in 2024, will allow United to retire its Boeing 757-200s, the company said. The Airbus order is the latest blow to the American manufacturer, already deeply mired in the crisis surrounding its 737 MAX. Boeing, whose 737 MAX has been grounded worldwide after two crashes that resulted in 346 deaths, currently has no new aircraft to compete with the Airbus A321XLR in the mid-market range. Airbus launched the A321XLR only this year, at the Paris Air Show in June. The single-aisle aircraft's range is 15 percent above that of its predecessor model, the A321LR, making it a cost-effective alternative to long-haul wide-body planes. United said it intends to use the new aircraft to serve additional European destinations from US East Coast hubs in Newark/New York and Washington. United turned to Airbus for the purchase due to Boeing's lack of aircraft in the mid-market range, a source close to the matter told AFP on condition of anonymity. "There are no aircraft currently offered by Boeing that can replace the 757," the source said, adding that negotiations between Airbus and United began several months ago. Boeing, which is currently focused on returning its MAX aircraft to the sky, has already postponed the possible announcement of a new model aircraft (NMA) until next year. The manufacturer recently presented the design to various airlines, industrial sources told AFP. Airbus decided to no longer publish the catalog prices for its aircraft beginning in 2019. However, the A321XLR is a long-range version of the A321, whose unit value was $129.5 million in 2018. United has meanwhile postponed receipt of its first 45 Airbus A350 long-haul aircraft by five years. The company, which ordered the planes in 2017, said it now plans to have them delivered in 2027 instead of 2022.

50 Airbus aircraft ordered to replace the existing fleet of ageing Boeing: United Airlines

A United Airlines flight made an emergency landing and blew out two tires at New Jersey's Newark Airport on Saturday, causing the airport briefly to suspend flights, officials said.

Flight 2098 took off from New York City's LaGuardia Airport bound for Houston and a short time later experienced hydraulic problems, prompting the emergency landing, Scott Ladd, a spokesman for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, said in an email.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said the crew of the Airbus A319 reported a brake problem and that two left main tires blew out when landing.

"Our pilots reacted quickly to ensure the safety of the aircraft and our customers, who deplaned using deployed slides after landing," United Airlines said in a statement, adding that there were 128 customers on board and no one was injured.

The plane was damaged and Port Authority crews had to clear the runway at Newark Liberty International Airport, Ladd said.

The FAA said it will investigate the incident.

On June 15, tires on a United Airlines Boeing 757 blew out as it landed at Newark, causing delays but no injuries.

Two planes from the same airline blowing out tires within two weeks at the same airport were just a coincidence, said aviation analyst Mike Boyd, president and chief executive officer of the Colorado-based Boyd Group International.

"It's just a different set of situations," Boyd said by phone, adding that the forced emergency landing in the latest incident was another factor.

"When a pilot wants to get a plane down, he wants to get it down and he could care less about the rubber on the wheels," Boyd said.

The incident caused delays for inbound and outbound flights at Newark, according to tracking firm FlightAware. But by Saturday afternoon, the runway where the plane made its emergency landing had been re-opened, the FAA said.

United said it was making arrangements to get the passengers aboard the plane to their final destinations.

It also issued a travel waiver for passengers, allowing any of its customers travelling to or from Newark or connecting there to make changes to their flights at no cost.

 
&nbsp;

A United Airlines flight made an emergency landing and blew out two tires at New Jersey's Newark Airport on Saturday, causing the airport briefly to suspend flights, officials said.

A United Airlines flight made an emergency landing and blew out two tires at New Jersey's Newark Airport on Saturday, causing the airport briefly to suspend flights, officials said. Flight 2098 took off from New York City's LaGuardia Airport bound for Houston and a short time later experienced hydraulic problems, prompting the emergency landing, Scott Ladd, a spokesman for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, said in an email. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said the crew of the Airbus A319 reported a brake problem and that two left main tires blew out when landing. "Our pilots reacted quickly to ensure the safety of the aircraft and our customers, who deplaned using deployed slides after landing," United Airlines said in a statement, adding that there were 128 customers on board and no one was injured. The plane was damaged and Port Authority crews had to clear the runway at Newark Liberty International Airport, Ladd said. The FAA said it will investigate the incident. On June 15, tires on a United Airlines Boeing 757 blew out as it landed at Newark, causing delays but no injuries. Two planes from the same airline blowing out tires within two weeks at the same airport were just a coincidence, said aviation analyst Mike Boyd, president and chief executive officer of the Colorado-based Boyd Group International. "It's just a different set of situations," Boyd said by phone, adding that the forced emergency landing in the latest incident was another factor. "When a pilot wants to get a plane down, he wants to get it down and he could care less about the rubber on the wheels," Boyd said. The incident caused delays for inbound and outbound flights at Newark, according to tracking firm FlightAware. But by Saturday afternoon, the runway where the plane made its emergency landing had been re-opened, the FAA said. United said it was making arrangements to get the passengers aboard the plane to their final destinations. It also issued a travel waiver for passengers, allowing any of its customers travelling to or from Newark or connecting there to make changes to their flights at no cost.

Emergency landing by United flight briefly closes Newark Airport

United Airlines said on Friday it is extending by one month its cancellations of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/boeing-acknowledges-flaw-in-737-max-simulator-software-220226">Boeing Co 737 MAX flights</a>, through August&nbsp;3, as the jetliner remains grounded following two fatal crashes.

United, which operates 14 737 MAX jets, said the decision would lead to about 40 or 45 daily cancelled flights.

The Chicago-based carrier joins rivals Southwest Airlines Co and <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/american-airlines-cancels-115-flights-daily-over-boeing-737-max-until-august-210442">American Airlines</a> Group Inc which had already suspended <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/probe-begins-after-boeing-737-slides-off-runway-into-florida-river-216035">737 MAX flights</a> into August as global carriers await regulatory approval for the aircraft to fly again.

The worldwide grounding in March of Boeing's fast-selling aircraft followed a crash in Indonesia and another in Ethiopia that killed a combined 346 people.

Since the grounding, US airlines have had to readjust schedules and come up with solutions in order to meet demand during the busy summer travel season.

Reuters reported on Thursday that the Federal Aviation Administration expects to approve the 737 MAX jet to return to service as soon as late June, according to people familiar with the matter.

Even so, FAA acting administrator Dan Elwell told reporters on Thursday after a meeting with international air regulators in Texas that he would not assign a specific date for the US approval.

Once regulators approve the 737 MAX jets for flight, each aircraft will likely require between 100 and 150 hours of preparation before flying, in addition to pilot training, Reuters also reported on Thursday.

United, whose parent company is United Continental Holdings Inc, was due to take delivery of 16 more MAX jets this year before the grounding.

"We'll continue to monitor the regulatory process and nimbly make the necessary adjustments to our operation and our schedule to benefit our customers who are travelling this summer," a United spokesman said in a statement on Friday.

Separately, United said on Friday it had launched a management overhaul at Colombia's cash-strapped Avianca Holdings, with which it is pursuing a three-way tie-up with Panama's Copa.

The move, which removes Avianca's top shareholder, German Efromovich, from control and hands it to a third party, follows a default by his holding company on a $456 million loan from United.

United has been seeking to expand in Latin America, which is considered ripe for air travel growth.

Shares of United were little changed on Friday afternoon at $80.95. 
&nbsp;

United Airlines said on Friday it is extending by one month its cancellations of Boeing Co 737 MAX flights, through August 3, as the jetliner remains grounded following two fatal crashes.

United Airlines said on Friday it is extending by one month its cancellations of Boeing Co 737 MAX flights, through August 3, as the jetliner remains grounded following two fatal crashes. United, which operates 14 737 MAX jets, said the decision would lead to about 40 or 45 daily cancelled flights. The Chicago-based carrier joins rivals Southwest Airlines Co and American Airlines Group Inc which had already suspended 737 MAX flights into August as global carriers await regulatory approval for the aircraft to fly again. The worldwide grounding in March of Boeing's fast-selling aircraft followed a crash in Indonesia and another in Ethiopia that killed a combined 346 people. Since the grounding, US airlines have had to readjust schedules and come up with solutions in order to meet demand during the busy summer travel season. Reuters reported on Thursday that the Federal Aviation Administration expects to approve the 737 MAX jet to return to service as soon as late June, according to people familiar with the matter. Even so, FAA acting administrator Dan Elwell told reporters on Thursday after a meeting with international air regulators in Texas that he would not assign a specific date for the US approval. Once regulators approve the 737 MAX jets for flight, each aircraft will likely require between 100 and 150 hours of preparation before flying, in addition to pilot training, Reuters also reported on Thursday. United, whose parent company is United Continental Holdings Inc, was due to take delivery of 16 more MAX jets this year before the grounding. "We'll continue to monitor the regulatory process and nimbly make the necessary adjustments to our operation and our schedule to benefit our customers who are travelling this summer," a United spokesman said in a statement on Friday. Separately, United said on Friday it had launched a management overhaul at Colombia's cash-strapped Avianca Holdings, with which it is pursuing a three-way tie-up with Panama's Copa. The move, which removes Avianca's top shareholder, German Efromovich, from control and hands it to a third party, follows a default by his holding company on a $456 million loan from United. United has been seeking to expand in Latin America, which is considered ripe for air travel growth. Shares of United were little changed on Friday afternoon at $80.95.

United Airlines extends cancellations of Boeing 737 MAX flights into August

US summer air travel will hit a new record this year despite the grounding of Boeing's 737 MAX aircraft after two fatal crashes, a group representing major airlines said on Tuesday.

Airlines for America, the trade group representing major US carriers, said it expects 257.4 million passengers to travel on US airlines between June 1 and August&nbsp;31, up 3.4 per cent from last summer’s record 248.8 million passengers.

Airlines are adding 111,000 seats daily to accommodate the extra 93,000 passengers expected per day, the group said, in what it forecast will be the 10th consecutive summer of increases in the number of US airline passengers.

Southwest Airlines Co and American Airlines Group Inc have cancelled flights because of the grounding of the 737 MAX into August, while United Airlines has cancelled flights into early July.

Southwest has cancelled 160 daily flights through August 5. It launched service to Hawaii earlier this year but has had to defer flying there from San Diego and Sacramento because of the MAX groundings.

American has cancelled nearly 115 flights daily until August 19, accounting for 2 per cent of its summer flight capacity.

The US Transportation Department said that July 2018 was the all-time busiest air travel month, with 75.8 million passengers.

The Federal Aviation Administration is meeting with aviation regulators from around the world in Texas on Thursday to update them on the various reviews of the 737 MAX. Boeing has not yet formally submitted its software upgrade and training revisions to the FAA for approval or completed a certification flight.

US summer air travel will hit a new record this year despite the grounding of Boeing's 737 MAX aircraft after two fatal crashes, a group representing major airlines said on Tuesday.

US summer air travel will hit a new record this year despite the grounding of Boeing's 737 MAX aircraft after two fatal crashes, a group representing major airlines said on Tuesday. Airlines for America, the trade group representing major US carriers, said it expects 257.4 million passengers to travel on US airlines between June 1 and August 31, up 3.4 per cent from last summer’s record 248.8 million passengers. Airlines are adding 111,000 seats daily to accommodate the extra 93,000 passengers expected per day, the group said, in what it forecast will be the 10th consecutive summer of increases in the number of US airline passengers. Southwest Airlines Co and American Airlines Group Inc have cancelled flights because of the grounding of the 737 MAX into August, while United Airlines has cancelled flights into early July. Southwest has cancelled 160 daily flights through August 5. It launched service to Hawaii earlier this year but has had to defer flying there from San Diego and Sacramento because of the MAX groundings. American has cancelled nearly 115 flights daily until August 19, accounting for 2 per cent of its summer flight capacity. The US Transportation Department said that July 2018 was the all-time busiest air travel month, with 75.8 million passengers. The Federal Aviation Administration is meeting with aviation regulators from around the world in Texas on Thursday to update them on the various reviews of the 737 MAX. Boeing has not yet formally submitted its software upgrade and training revisions to the FAA for approval or completed a certification flight.

US airline group sees record summer travel, despite 737 MAX grounding

The United Airlines flight with 266 passengers and 15 crew members onboard diverted its New Delhi bound flight to London&#39;s Heathrow Airport due to some medical emergency.

Meanwhile, a statement from the airlines read, &quot;Our team at London Heathrow Airport is providing assistance to customers of United flight 82 (New York/ Newark to Delhi) which diverted to London Heathrow Airport because of a medical issue on board.&quot;&nbsp;

&quot;The flight now has been cancelled due to the crew reaching their maximum duty time,&quot; the statement also read.

&quot;We are providing hotel accommodation for our customers, and making arrangements for them to complete their journeys tomorrow. We have apologised to our customers for the inconvenience caused,&quot; it added.&nbsp;

Flight Radar, a verified Twitter account that helps social media users track air traffic, posted an update after the plane started heading to Heathrow, and after it landed confirmed that the aircraft was indeed UA 82.

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United flight <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UA82?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UA82</a> from Newark to Delhi is diverting to Heathrow.<a href="https://t.co/cZc1sbMu3H">https://t.co/cZc1sbMu3H</a> 
 
Reason is currently unknown <a href="https://t.co/HvJCrSuIEf">pic.twitter.com/HvJCrSuIEf</a>
&mdash; Flightradar24 (@flightradar24) <a href="https://twitter.com/flightradar24/status/970260720033116160?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 4, 2018</a></blockquote>
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3 hours after the sharp turn over the North Sea, flight <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UA82?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UA82</a> landed safely at Heathrow Airport. 
 
Reason why Heathrow was selected as diversion airport can be crew or maintenance availability, and better possibilities to handle passengers. <a href="https://t.co/iKxENjbFFp">pic.twitter.com/iKxENjbFFp</a>
&mdash; Flightradar24 (@flightradar24) <a href="https://twitter.com/flightradar24/status/970269335553040384?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 4, 2018</a></blockquote>
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United Airlines commonly referred to as United is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois.&nbsp;

The flight had 266 passengers and 15 crew members

The United Airlines flight with 266 passengers and 15 crew members onboard diverted its New Delhi bound flight to London's Heathrow Airport due to some medical emergency. Meanwhile, a statement from the airlines read, "Our team at London Heathrow Airport is providing assistance to customers of United flight 82 (New York/ Newark to Delhi) which diverted to London Heathrow Airport because of a medical issue on board." "The flight now has been cancelled due to the crew reaching their maximum duty time," the statement also read. "We are providing hotel accommodation for our customers, and making arrangements for them to complete their journeys tomorrow. We have apologised to our customers for the inconvenience caused," it added. Flight Radar, a verified Twitter account that helps social media users track air traffic, posted an update after the plane started heading to Heathrow, and after it landed confirmed that the aircraft was indeed UA 82. United flight #UA82 from Newark to Delhi is diverting to Heathrow.https://t.co/cZc1sbMu3H Reason is currently unknown pic.twitter.com/HvJCrSuIEf — Flightradar24 (@flightradar24) March 4, 2018 × 3 hours after the sharp turn over the North Sea, flight #UA82 landed safely at Heathrow Airport. Reason why Heathrow was selected as diversion airport can be crew or maintenance availability, and better possibilities to handle passengers. pic.twitter.com/iKxENjbFFp — Flightradar24 (@flightradar24) March 4, 2018 × United Airlines commonly referred to as United is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois.

New Delhi bound United Airlines flight diverted to London

Delta Air Lines and United Airlines on Saturday became the latest major corporations to sever marketing ties with the National Rifle Association as the fallout from last week&#39;s massacre at a Florida high school took its toll on the gun advocacy group.

The exodus of corporate names, ranging from a major insurer to car rental brands and a household moving company, began after the NRA launched a counter-offensive against a student-led campaign for tighter US&nbsp;gun laws.&nbsp;

The NRA responded by saying its members were being punished, but would not be intimidated, by what it called &quot;a shameful display of political and civic cowardice&quot; from some corporations.

In tweets on Saturday, Delta and United said they were no longer offering NRA members discounted rates and they would ask the NRA to remove their information from its website.

The issue of gun control, and the NRA&#39;s role in opposing it, became the focus of renewed national debate after a former student killed 17 people on Feb. 14 at the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in the Fort Lauderdale suburb of Parkland, using an AR-15 assault rifle he had purchased legally.

NRA spokespeople have lashed out at gun control advocates, arguing that Democratic elites are politicizing the deadly rampage in Florida to erode gun owners&#39; rights.

In a statement on Saturday, the NRA said its more than five million law-abiding members had nothing to do with the failures of school security, the mental health system, or both local and federal law enforcement that it said had caused the tragedy.

&quot;Despite that, some corporations have decided to punish NRA membership in a shameful display of political and civic cowardice,&quot; the statement said. &quot;In time, these brands will be replaced by others who recognize that patriotism and determined commitment to Constitutional freedoms are characteristics of a marketplace they very much want to serve.&quot;

The attrition of NRA corporate partners began on Thursday when three rental car brands owned by Enterprise Holdings Inc said they were ending discount programs, and First National Bank of Omaha said it would not renew the NRA&#39;s contract to issue a co-branded Visa card.

By Friday, the list of defectors grew to include Symantec Corp which ended a discount program for its LifeLock identity theft product. Home security company SimpliSafe and Hertz Corp also terminated discount programs.

Chubb Ltd said it would stop underwriting a NRA-branded insurance policy for gun owners that covers legal costs in self-defense shootings. Another insurer, MetLife Inc, also said it had ended an auto and home incentive program for NRA members. And North American Van Lines said it was scrapping its affiliate relationship with the NRA.

The US&nbsp;Constitution&#39;s Second Amendment protects the right of Americans to bear arms. The NRA, which has long used campaign donations and effective lobbying to command political influence, argues that stricter gun control would erode individual rights.

The exodus of corporate names, began after the NRA launched a counter-offensive against a student-led campaign for tighter US gun laws

Delta Air Lines and United Airlines on Saturday became the latest major corporations to sever marketing ties with the National Rifle Association as the fallout from last week's massacre at a Florida high school took its toll on the gun advocacy group. The exodus of corporate names, ranging from a major insurer to car rental brands and a household moving company, began after the NRA launched a counter-offensive against a student-led campaign for tighter US gun laws. The NRA responded by saying its members were being punished, but would not be intimidated, by what it called "a shameful display of political and civic cowardice" from some corporations. In tweets on Saturday, Delta and United said they were no longer offering NRA members discounted rates and they would ask the NRA to remove their information from its website. The issue of gun control, and the NRA's role in opposing it, became the focus of renewed national debate after a former student killed 17 people on Feb. 14 at the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in the Fort Lauderdale suburb of Parkland, using an AR-15 assault rifle he had purchased legally. NRA spokespeople have lashed out at gun control advocates, arguing that Democratic elites are politicizing the deadly rampage in Florida to erode gun owners' rights. In a statement on Saturday, the NRA said its more than five million law-abiding members had nothing to do with the failures of school security, the mental health system, or both local and federal law enforcement that it said had caused the tragedy. "Despite that, some corporations have decided to punish NRA membership in a shameful display of political and civic cowardice," the statement said. "In time, these brands will be replaced by others who recognize that patriotism and determined commitment to Constitutional freedoms are characteristics of a marketplace they very much want to serve." The attrition of NRA corporate partners began on Thursday when three rental car brands owned by Enterprise Holdings Inc said they were ending discount programs, and First National Bank of Omaha said it would not renew the NRA's contract to issue a co-branded Visa card. By Friday, the list of defectors grew to include Symantec Corp which ended a discount program for its LifeLock identity theft product. Home security company SimpliSafe and Hertz Corp also terminated discount programs. Chubb Ltd said it would stop underwriting a NRA-branded insurance policy for gun owners that covers legal costs in self-defense shootings. Another insurer, MetLife Inc, also said it had ended an auto and home incentive program for NRA members. And North American Van Lines said it was scrapping its affiliate relationship with the NRA. The US Constitution's Second Amendment protects the right of Americans to bear arms. The NRA, which has long used campaign donations and effective lobbying to command political influence, argues that stricter gun control would erode individual rights.

Delta, United Airlines become latest companies to cut NRA ties

A 28-year-old Indian doctor has been arrested for allegedly groping a minor girl who was sitting next to him on a New Jersey-bound United Airlines flight, according to media reports.

The 16-year-old girl, who was travelling alone on July 23, was asleep on the flight, when a stranger&#39;s hand on her thigh awakened her, the Washington Post reported.

The man, identified as Vijakumar Krishnappa, sitting next to her quickly removed his hand, according to a federal court complaint, and the teenager went back to sleep. Then, she woke up again &nbsp;and this time, the man was groping her, the complaint says.

She reported the incident to the airline crew and was allowed to move seats.

Once the flight from Seattle landed at Newark Liberty International Airport, the girl, from Washington state, called her parents. While she did, the accused left the airport, said Johnny McCray, an attorney for the girl&#39;s family.

The girl&#39;s family has filed a complaint against United Airlines for neglecting to detain Krishnappa after the alleged assault, the report said.

The FBI was called to handle the investigation. It used the flight manifest to track down Krishnappa, a doctor from India. The girl identified him from a photo array, ABC reported.

Krishnappa was charged in the federal court in Newark, a day after the incident, according to court records filed by the FBI charging him with criminal sexual contact.

Court records show he was arrested and charged with knowingly engaging in sexual contact with a minor female, the report said.

He has been released on bond, placed on electronic monitoring, and ordered to not have any contact with minors while the criminal case is pending, according to court records.

The doctor&#39;s court-appointed attorney, John Yauch, told the Post that his client &quot;adamantly denies the charges and deserves to be considered an innocent man.&quot;

Krishnappa is studying medicine in the United States through a months-long fellowship that allows for doctors from foreign countries to learn from experts in the US, the daily said.

A spokesman from the Federal Aviation Administration told the daily that the airlines typically notify law enforcement about incidents before landing.

&quot;The safety and security of our customers is our top priority. We take these allegations seriously and continue to work closely with the proper authorities as part of their review,&quot; a spokesperson for United Airlines said in a statement.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Krishnappa was charged in the federal court in Newark, a day after the incident, according to court records filed by the FBI

A 28-year-old Indian doctor has been arrested for allegedly groping a minor girl who was sitting next to him on a New Jersey-bound United Airlines flight, according to media reports. The 16-year-old girl, who was travelling alone on July 23, was asleep on the flight, when a stranger's hand on her thigh awakened her, the Washington Post reported. The man, identified as Vijakumar Krishnappa, sitting next to her quickly removed his hand, according to a federal court complaint, and the teenager went back to sleep. Then, she woke up again and this time, the man was groping her, the complaint says. She reported the incident to the airline crew and was allowed to move seats. Once the flight from Seattle landed at Newark Liberty International Airport, the girl, from Washington state, called her parents. While she did, the accused left the airport, said Johnny McCray, an attorney for the girl's family. The girl's family has filed a complaint against United Airlines for neglecting to detain Krishnappa after the alleged assault, the report said. The FBI was called to handle the investigation. It used the flight manifest to track down Krishnappa, a doctor from India. The girl identified him from a photo array, ABC reported. Krishnappa was charged in the federal court in Newark, a day after the incident, according to court records filed by the FBI charging him with criminal sexual contact. Court records show he was arrested and charged with knowingly engaging in sexual contact with a minor female, the report said. He has been released on bond, placed on electronic monitoring, and ordered to not have any contact with minors while the criminal case is pending, according to court records. The doctor's court-appointed attorney, John Yauch, told the Post that his client "adamantly denies the charges and deserves to be considered an innocent man." Krishnappa is studying medicine in the United States through a months-long fellowship that allows for doctors from foreign countries to learn from experts in the US, the daily said. A spokesman from the Federal Aviation Administration told the daily that the airlines typically notify law enforcement about incidents before landing. "The safety and security of our customers is our top priority. We take these allegations seriously and continue to work closely with the proper authorities as part of their review," a spokesperson for United Airlines said in a statement.

Indian doctor arrested in US for groping teen on United Airlines flight

United Airlines and the passenger who was dragged from a Chicago flight earlier this month have reached a settlement for an undisclosed sum, they said on Thursday, in the carrier&#39;s latest step to contain damage from an incident that sparked international outrage.

Viral videos of Dr. David Dao being dragged down the aisle of a United jet and Chief Executive Oscar Munoz&#39;s handling of the incident touched off a public outcry, prompted calls from congressmen for new industry regulation, and led United&#39;s board of directors to reverse an agreement to make Munoz company chairman in 2018.

United said earlier on Thursday that it would offer passengers who give up their seats up to $10,000, reduce overbooking of flights and no longer call on law enforcement officers to deny ticketed passengers their seats.

Southwest Airlines also said on Thursday that it would end overbooking of flights.

Dao, a 69-year-old Vietnamese-American doctor, was injured when Chicago aviation police removed him from his seat and then dragged him from the plane to make space for four crew members on the flight from O&#39;Hare International Airport to Louisville, Kentucky.

United has taken &quot;full responsibility for what happened on Flight 3411, without attempting to blame others, including the City of Chicago,&quot; Thomas Demetrio, an attorney for Dao, said in a statement.

Demetrio said there was no need to proceed with separate litigation against the city. Republic Airways, United&#39;s regional partner which operated the flight that Dao was on, has also been released from responsibility as part of the settlement, Demetrio&#39;s office said.

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel&#39;s office declined to comment on the settlement.

The three Chicago Department of Aviation officers who pulled Dao off the plane and a supervisor involved in the incident remain on paid leave, said Chicago Department of Aviation spokesman Karen Pride, who declined to comment on the settlement.

United said in a separate statement that it was pleased to reach &quot;an amicable resolution of the unfortunate incident that occurred aboard flight 3411.&quot;

&quot;We look forward to implementing the improvements we have announced, which will put our customers at the center of everything we do,&quot; the airline said.

Munoz stressed that point in a letter sent on Thursday to customers, saying the airline would increase its focus on their satisfaction.

&quot;We can never say we are sorry enough for what occurred, but we also know meaningful actions will speak louder than words,&quot; he said.

Separately, officials at 10 of the busiest U.S. airports said their rules prevent security officers from physically removing passengers from airplanes unless a crime is committed.&nbsp;

(Reuters)

United Airlines and the passenger who was dragged from a Chicago flight earlier this month have reached a settlement for an undisclosed sum, they said on Thursday, in the carrier's latest step to contain damage from an incident that sparked international outrage. Viral videos of Dr. David Dao being dragged down the aisle of a United jet and Chief Executive Oscar Munoz's handling of the incident touched off a public outcry, prompted calls from congressmen for new industry regulation, and led United's board of directors to reverse an agreement to make Munoz company chairman in 2018. United said earlier on Thursday that it would offer passengers who give up their seats up to $10,000, reduce overbooking of flights and no longer call on law enforcement officers to deny ticketed passengers their seats. Southwest Airlines also said on Thursday that it would end overbooking of flights. Dao, a 69-year-old Vietnamese-American doctor, was injured when Chicago aviation police removed him from his seat and then dragged him from the plane to make space for four crew members on the flight from O'Hare International Airport to Louisville, Kentucky. United has taken "full responsibility for what happened on Flight 3411, without attempting to blame others, including the City of Chicago," Thomas Demetrio, an attorney for Dao, said in a statement. Demetrio said there was no need to proceed with separate litigation against the city. Republic Airways, United's regional partner which operated the flight that Dao was on, has also been released from responsibility as part of the settlement, Demetrio's office said. Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel's office declined to comment on the settlement. The three Chicago Department of Aviation officers who pulled Dao off the plane and a supervisor involved in the incident remain on paid leave, said Chicago Department of Aviation spokesman Karen Pride, who declined to comment on the settlement. United said in a separate statement that it was pleased to reach "an amicable resolution of the unfortunate incident that occurred aboard flight 3411." "We look forward to implementing the improvements we have announced, which will put our customers at the center of everything we do," the airline said. Munoz stressed that point in a letter sent on Thursday to customers, saying the airline would increase its focus on their satisfaction. "We can never say we are sorry enough for what occurred, but we also know meaningful actions will speak louder than words," he said. Separately, officials at 10 of the busiest U.S. airports said their rules prevent security officers from physically removing passengers from airplanes unless a crime is committed. (Reuters)

United reaches settlement with passenger dragged from plane

An engaged couple flying on United Airlines from Houston, Texas, to their wedding in Costa Rica were removed by a federal law enforcement officer from the flight on Saturday amid disputed circumstances, according to media reports.

The removal comes at a time of heightened scrutiny of the airline&#39;s approach to customer service after a video emerged a week ago showing security officers dragging a bloodied passenger off an overbooked United Express flight in Chicago.

&nbsp;

Different stories

United said the couple repeatedly tried to sit in more expensive seats for which they had not paid, and would not follow flight crew instructions, according to the KHOU 11 News channel in Houston.

United, owned by United Continental Holdings Inc, did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Sunday evening.

Michael Hohl and his fianc&eacute;e, Amber Maxwell, gave a different account. Hohl said he and Maxwell found another passenger sleeping sprawled across their seats after they were the last to board the flight, according to an interview with KHOU.

Soon after moving to other, empty seats in the economy cabin a few rows up, flight crew denied their request to pay a supplement for the seats, which United sells as &quot;economy plus&quot;, and told them to move back to their original seats, Hohl said.

&quot;We thought not a big deal, it&#39;s not like we are trying to jump up into a first-class seat,&quot; Hohl told KHOU. &quot;We were simply in an economy row a few rows above our economy seat.&quot;

They then cooperated with an officer from the US&nbsp;Marshals Service who boarded and told them they had to get off the plane, Hohl said. The couple were rebooked on a flight on Sunday, KHOU reported.

&nbsp;

Why United is being talked about

Dr. David Dao, the 69-year-old Vietnamese-American doctor who was seen in video being dragged off a United flight a week ago, will likely sue the airline, his attorney said on Thursday.

Dao was bleeding from the mouth. He suffered a concussion, a broken nose and lost two front teeth.

<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8mQe_CdjxLk" width="560"></iframe>

After the incident triggered international outrage, United Chief Executive Oscar Munoz apologised to Dao, his family and its customers, saying the carrier would no longer use law enforcement officers to remove passengers from overbooked flights.

Earlier, The Guardian <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/apr/11/united-airlines-boss-oliver-munoz-says-passenger-belligerent" target="_blank">reports </a>that Munoz,&nbsp;in a letter<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/apr/11/united-airlines-boss-oliver-munoz-says-passenger-belligerent" target="_blank">&nbsp;</a>obtained by CNBC and other newslets, wrote: &quot;Our employees followed established procedures for dealing with situations like this. While I deeply regret this situation arose, I also emphatically stand behind all of you, and I want to commend you for continuing to go above and beyond to ensure we fly right.&quot;

United Airlines removed Dao from the flight, but not his luggage, the Daily Mail <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4413610/United-gave-doctor-s-luggage-runaround.html" target="_blank">reports</a>. While Dao was in a Chicago hospital with his wife, the airline sent his luggage to Louisville, Kentucky. Then they sent it to&nbsp;Dao&#39;s medical office in Elizabethtown, Kentucky, before finally sending it&nbsp;to his home.

The airline just&nbsp;anounced today that it will no longer allow employees to take the place of civilian passengers who have already boarded overbooked flights, The New York Times reports.

&quot;We issued an updated policy to make sure crews travelling on our aircraft are booked at least 60 minutes prior to departure,&quot; said spokesman Maggie Schmerin. &quot;This is one of our initial steps in a review of our policies.

&nbsp;

The preceding United Airlines&nbsp;PR disaster

On March 26, United Airlines <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/united-airlines-bars-two-girls-from-boarding-for-wearing-leggings-13833" target="_blank">barred </a>two young girls from boarding a plane because they were wearing leggings. They were made to put a dress&nbsp;overtop the leggings, which thankfully the mother happened to have on her, before being given permission to board. Their&nbsp;father accompanied them too,&nbsp;wearing shorts.

United initially defended this conduct, saying the girls were &quot;pass riders&quot;, who were allowed to fly for free or at heavily&nbsp;discounted rates because they are related to airline employees.

A United spokesman said: &quot;Our regular passengers are not going to be denied boarding because they are wearing leggings or yoga pants.

&quot;But when flying as a pass traveler, we require pass travelers to follow rules, and that is one of those rules.&quot;

The airline never explained why&nbsp;there is a rule forbidding &quot;pass travelers&quot; from wearing perfectly appropriate&nbsp;clothing.

United was roundly mocked on social media for having sexist rules that contradicted its own standards.

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<a href="https://twitter.com/shannonrwatts">@shannonrwatts</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/MsNursePetty">@MsNursePetty</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/united">@united</a> this is more acceptable <a href="https://t.co/c99739VQTz">pic.twitter.com/c99739VQTz</a>
&mdash; Howie Doohan (@paulsboutiquery) <a href="https://twitter.com/paulsboutiquery/status/846028703503208452">March 26, 2017</a></blockquote>
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(WION with inputs from Reuters)

United said the couple repeatedly tried to sit in more expensive seats. The couple has a very different account

An engaged couple flying on United Airlines from Houston, Texas, to their wedding in Costa Rica were removed by a federal law enforcement officer from the flight on Saturday amid disputed circumstances, according to media reports. The removal comes at a time of heightened scrutiny of the airline's approach to customer service after a video emerged a week ago showing security officers dragging a bloodied passenger off an overbooked United Express flight in Chicago. Different stories United said the couple repeatedly tried to sit in more expensive seats for which they had not paid, and would not follow flight crew instructions, according to the KHOU 11 News channel in Houston. United, owned by United Continental Holdings Inc, did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Sunday evening. Michael Hohl and his fiancée, Amber Maxwell, gave a different account. Hohl said he and Maxwell found another passenger sleeping sprawled across their seats after they were the last to board the flight, according to an interview with KHOU. Soon after moving to other, empty seats in the economy cabin a few rows up, flight crew denied their request to pay a supplement for the seats, which United sells as "economy plus", and told them to move back to their original seats, Hohl said. "We thought not a big deal, it's not like we are trying to jump up into a first-class seat," Hohl told KHOU. "We were simply in an economy row a few rows above our economy seat." They then cooperated with an officer from the US Marshals Service who boarded and told them they had to get off the plane, Hohl said. The couple were rebooked on a flight on Sunday, KHOU reported. Why United is being talked about Dr. David Dao, the 69-year-old Vietnamese-American doctor who was seen in video being dragged off a United flight a week ago, will likely sue the airline, his attorney said on Thursday. Dao was bleeding from the mouth. He suffered a concussion, a broken nose and lost two front teeth. After the incident triggered international outrage, United Chief Executive Oscar Munoz apologised to Dao, his family and its customers, saying the carrier would no longer use law enforcement officers to remove passengers from overbooked flights. Earlier, The Guardian reports that Munoz, in a letter obtained by CNBC and other newslets, wrote: "Our employees followed established procedures for dealing with situations like this. While I deeply regret this situation arose, I also emphatically stand behind all of you, and I want to commend you for continuing to go above and beyond to ensure we fly right." United Airlines removed Dao from the flight, but not his luggage, the Daily Mail reports. While Dao was in a Chicago hospital with his wife, the airline sent his luggage to Louisville, Kentucky. Then they sent it to Dao's medical office in Elizabethtown, Kentucky, before finally sending it to his home. The airline just anounced today that it will no longer allow employees to take the place of civilian passengers who have already boarded overbooked flights, The New York Times reports. "We issued an updated policy to make sure crews travelling on our aircraft are booked at least 60 minutes prior to departure," said spokesman Maggie Schmerin. "This is one of our initial steps in a review of our policies. The preceding United Airlines PR disaster On March 26, United Airlines barred two young girls from boarding a plane because they were wearing leggings. They were made to put a dress overtop the leggings, which thankfully the mother happened to have on her, before being given permission to board. Their father accompanied them too, wearing shorts. United initially defended this conduct, saying the girls were "pass riders", who were allowed to fly for free or at heavily discounted rates because they are related to airline employees. A United spokesman said: "Our regular passengers are not going to be denied boarding because they are wearing leggings or yoga pants. "But when flying as a pass traveler, we require pass travelers to follow rules, and that is one of those rules." The airline never explained why there is a rule forbidding "pass travelers" from wearing perfectly appropriate clothing. United was roundly mocked on social media for having sexist rules that contradicted its own standards. @shannonrwatts @MsNursePetty @united this is more acceptable pic.twitter.com/c99739VQTz — Howie Doohan (@paulsboutiquery) March 26, 2017 × (WION with inputs from Reuters)

United Airlines removes engaged couple travelling to wedding from plane

The United Airlines passenger dragged from a plane in Chicago in an incident that sparked international outrage and turned into a corporate public relations nightmare suffered a concussion and broken nose and will likely sue, his attorney said on Thursday.

&quot;For a long time airlines, United, in particular, have bullied us,&quot; Thomas Demetrio told a news conference in Chicago, outlining the potential causes of action they may pursue against United and the city of Chicago.

&quot;Will there be a lawsuit? Yeah, probably.&quot;

David Dao, a 69-year-old Vietnamese-American doctor, was hospitalised after Chicago aviation police dragged him from the plane to make space for four crew members on the flight from the city&#39;s O&#39;Hare International Airport to Louisville, Kentucky.

Demetrio said the law stated that passengers could not be ejected from planes with unreasonable force. Chicago runs the airport and the city&#39;s department of aviation employs the three officers who dragged Dao off the plane.

Dao, who was discharged from the hospital on Wednesday night, suffered a significant concussion, a broken nose and lost two front teeth in the incident, and he will need to undergo reconstructive surgery, Demetrio said.

Video of Sunday&#39;s incident taken by other passengers and showing Dao being dragged up the plane aisle and with a bloodied mouth circulated rapidly, causing public outrage that was not calmed by the airline&#39;s initial response.

Dao&#39;s daughter, Crystal Dao Pepper, told the news conference that the family was &quot;horrified, shocked and sickened&quot; by what happened to her father. One of Dao&#39;s five children, Pepper, 33, called him a &quot;wonderful father&quot; and &quot;loving grandfather&quot; who had been returning from vacation in California.

&quot;What happened to my dad should have never happened to any human being,&quot; she said.

Demetrio said Dao had told him that being dragged down the plane aisle was more terrifying than his experience fleeing Vietnam in 1975.

Demetrio and a second attorney, Stephen Golan, said neither they nor the family had heard from United yet.

United, in a statement, said Munoz and the company &quot;called Dr. Dao on numerous occasions to express our heartfelt and deepest apologies.&quot; The company did not say how it would respond to any litigation, or whether the airline would try to settle.

Dao&#39;s lawyers filed an emergency request with an Illinois state court on Wednesday to require United Continental Holdings Inc and the City of Chicago to preserve video recordings and other evidence related to the incident, which would be a precursor to a lawsuit.

Other attorneys said state courts are typically more favourable to plaintiffs.

Officials from the city could not be reached for comment on Thursday&#39;s news conference.

At a later city council aviation committee meeting, Chicago Department of Aviation Commissioner Ginger Evans said the department was investigating the incident and reviewing its training. Chicago Alderman Michael Zalewski, head of the committee, called the incident a nightmare that should have been avoidable.

United officials at the meeting apologised again and said they were reviewing all related company policies and would complete that process by April 30.

United Vice President John Slater said he was not at liberty to say who called the aviation police, but ruled out the plane&#39;s captain. United has no set policy for physically forcing passengers to deboard, he added.

&quot;Chicago employees should not be doing the dirty work for the friendly skies airline,&quot; Chicago Alderman Edward Burke said at the meeting, adding Dao&#39;s civil rights had been violated.

Evans and United officials said they could not discuss the incident in detail, citing the pending litigation.

United Chief Executive Oscar Munoz is under pressure to contain a torrent of bad publicity and calls to boycott United, including from China, where people have been angered because Dao was an Asian-American passenger.

United shares have lost about 1 percent of their value since Monday. The stock closed down 1.2 percent on Thursday.

Munoz has sought in the last two days to make amends. In a statement on Tuesday he said he &quot;deeply&quot; apologised and was disturbed by what had happened. On Wednesday, he apologised to Dao, his family and United customers in an ABC News interview, saying the company would no longer use law enforcement officers to remove passengers from overbooked flights.

Demetrio called the apology &quot;staged&quot; and a response to the airline executive&#39;s earlier comments, which were heavily criticised by many.

In a letter to employees on Monday, Munoz did not apologise to Dao and defended the airline&#39;s actions, saying Dao had been &quot;disruptive and belligerent.&quot;

Dao was offered $800 for his seat by United but did not want to take it, Demetrio said. Munoz previously said the airline offered up to $1,000.

Dao&#39;s wife was told to leave the plane after he was dragged off, Golan said.

Airport Police

The city of Chicago, which Demetrio said had also not contacted the attorneys and family, is also potentially involved in any lawsuit because of the officers&#39; involvement.

Chicago&#39;s Aviation Department said on Wednesday that two more officers had been placed on paid leave in connection with the incident. One officer was placed on paid leave on Tuesday.

Given the wide public outrage, Dao is in a strong position as he prepares to launch a legal action, lawyers who represent airlines and passengers said.

&quot;United, if they&#39;re smart, will quickly and quietly settle the case,&quot; said Justin Green, a partner at the law firm Kreindler &amp; Kreindler in New York who represents airline passengers.

(Reuters)

David Dao was hospitalised after Chicago aviation police dragged him from the plane to make space for four crew members on the flight

The United Airlines passenger dragged from a plane in Chicago in an incident that sparked international outrage and turned into a corporate public relations nightmare suffered a concussion and broken nose and will likely sue, his attorney said on Thursday. "For a long time airlines, United, in particular, have bullied us," Thomas Demetrio told a news conference in Chicago, outlining the potential causes of action they may pursue against United and the city of Chicago. "Will there be a lawsuit? Yeah, probably." David Dao, a 69-year-old Vietnamese-American doctor, was hospitalised after Chicago aviation police dragged him from the plane to make space for four crew members on the flight from the city's O'Hare International Airport to Louisville, Kentucky. Demetrio said the law stated that passengers could not be ejected from planes with unreasonable force. Chicago runs the airport and the city's department of aviation employs the three officers who dragged Dao off the plane. Dao, who was discharged from the hospital on Wednesday night, suffered a significant concussion, a broken nose and lost two front teeth in the incident, and he will need to undergo reconstructive surgery, Demetrio said. Video of Sunday's incident taken by other passengers and showing Dao being dragged up the plane aisle and with a bloodied mouth circulated rapidly, causing public outrage that was not calmed by the airline's initial response. Dao's daughter, Crystal Dao Pepper, told the news conference that the family was "horrified, shocked and sickened" by what happened to her father. One of Dao's five children, Pepper, 33, called him a "wonderful father" and "loving grandfather" who had been returning from vacation in California. "What happened to my dad should have never happened to any human being," she said. Demetrio said Dao had told him that being dragged down the plane aisle was more terrifying than his experience fleeing Vietnam in 1975. Demetrio and a second attorney, Stephen Golan, said neither they nor the family had heard from United yet. United, in a statement, said Munoz and the company "called Dr. Dao on numerous occasions to express our heartfelt and deepest apologies." The company did not say how it would respond to any litigation, or whether the airline would try to settle. Dao's lawyers filed an emergency request with an Illinois state court on Wednesday to require United Continental Holdings Inc and the City of Chicago to preserve video recordings and other evidence related to the incident, which would be a precursor to a lawsuit. Other attorneys said state courts are typically more favourable to plaintiffs. Officials from the city could not be reached for comment on Thursday's news conference. At a later city council aviation committee meeting, Chicago Department of Aviation Commissioner Ginger Evans said the department was investigating the incident and reviewing its training. Chicago Alderman Michael Zalewski, head of the committee, called the incident a nightmare that should have been avoidable. United officials at the meeting apologised again and said they were reviewing all related company policies and would complete that process by April 30. United Vice President John Slater said he was not at liberty to say who called the aviation police, but ruled out the plane's captain. United has no set policy for physically forcing passengers to deboard, he added. "Chicago employees should not be doing the dirty work for the friendly skies airline," Chicago Alderman Edward Burke said at the meeting, adding Dao's civil rights had been violated. Evans and United officials said they could not discuss the incident in detail, citing the pending litigation. United Chief Executive Oscar Munoz is under pressure to contain a torrent of bad publicity and calls to boycott United, including from China, where people have been angered because Dao was an Asian-American passenger. United shares have lost about 1 percent of their value since Monday. The stock closed down 1.2 percent on Thursday. Munoz has sought in the last two days to make amends. In a statement on Tuesday he said he "deeply" apologised and was disturbed by what had happened. On Wednesday, he apologised to Dao, his family and United customers in an ABC News interview, saying the company would no longer use law enforcement officers to remove passengers from overbooked flights. Demetrio called the apology "staged" and a response to the airline executive's earlier comments, which were heavily criticised by many. In a letter to employees on Monday, Munoz did not apologise to Dao and defended the airline's actions, saying Dao had been "disruptive and belligerent." Dao was offered $800 for his seat by United but did not want to take it, Demetrio said. Munoz previously said the airline offered up to $1,000. Dao's wife was told to leave the plane after he was dragged off, Golan said. Airport Police The city of Chicago, which Demetrio said had also not contacted the attorneys and family, is also potentially involved in any lawsuit because of the officers' involvement. Chicago's Aviation Department said on Wednesday that two more officers had been placed on paid leave in connection with the incident. One officer was placed on paid leave on Tuesday. Given the wide public outrage, Dao is in a strong position as he prepares to launch a legal action, lawyers who represent airlines and passengers said. "United, if they're smart, will quickly and quietly settle the case," said Justin Green, a partner at the law firm Kreindler & Kreindler in New York who represents airline passengers. (Reuters)

United passenger dragged from plane has concussion, broken nose: Lawyer

A doctor trying to return home to his patients was dragged by his hands from an overbooked United Airlines flight, according to social media, embroiling the carrier in its second public relations nightmare in less than a month.

The airline was one of the top-trending topics on Twitter as users took to the website to express their anger over the forceful removal of the passenger from United Flight 3411, which was en route from Chicago to Louisville, Kentucky, on Sunday.

Video of the incident posted to Twitter account @Tyler_Bridges shows three security officers huddling over the seated passenger, who appears to be an older Asian man, before dragging him on the floor.

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Flight 3411 from Chicago to Louisville was overbooked. Three security officers approach a seated man, ask him to give up his spot. When he refuses, they haul him up by the arms and drag him out screaming (WION)
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The airline said it asked for volunteers to leave because additional flight crew needed to get to Louisville.

&quot;This is an upsetting event to all of us here at United,&quot; Chief Executive Officer Oscar Munoz said in a statement. &quot;I apologize for having to re-accommodate these customers.&quot;

Munoz said United was &quot;moving with a sense of urgency&quot; to work with the authorities and conduct its own review of the incident.

In Bridges&#39; video, a woman asks: &quot;Can&#39;t they rent a car for the pilots and have them drive?&quot; Two uniformed men then reach into the doctor&#39;s seat and yank him from his chair.

The passenger screams as he is dragged on his back by his hands, glasses askew and shirt pulled up above his navel.

Another video shows him, still disheveled from the altercation, returning to the cabin, running to the back of the plane and repeating: &quot;I have to go home.&quot;

Fellow passenger Jayse D &nbsp;Anspach, who goes by @JayseDavid on Twitter, wrote: &quot;No one volunteered (to leave), so @United decided to choose for us. They chose an Asian doctor and his wife.&quot;

While airport security staff were ejecting him, Anspach wrote, his face was slammed against an armrest, causing his mouth to bleed.

&quot;It looked like he was knocked out, because he went limp and quiet,&quot; Anspach wrote, &quot;and they dragged him out of the plane like a rag doll.&quot;

Late last month, two teenage girls dressed in leggings were denied boarding on a United flight from Denver to Minneapolis because of their form-fitting pants.

Because the girls were using free passes for employees or family members, they were subject to a dress code.

(Reuters)

The doctor who was trying to return home to his patients was dragged by his hands from the overbooked flight, according to social media

A doctor trying to return home to his patients was dragged by his hands from an overbooked United Airlines flight, according to social media, embroiling the carrier in its second public relations nightmare in less than a month. The airline was one of the top-trending topics on Twitter as users took to the website to express their anger over the forceful removal of the passenger from United Flight 3411, which was en route from Chicago to Louisville, Kentucky, on Sunday. Video of the incident posted to Twitter account @Tyler_Bridges shows three security officers huddling over the seated passenger, who appears to be an older Asian man, before dragging him on the floor. Flight 3411 from Chicago to Louisville was overbooked. Three security officers approach a seated man, ask him to give up his spot. When he refuses, they haul him up by the arms and drag him out screaming (WION) × The airline said it asked for volunteers to leave because additional flight crew needed to get to Louisville. "This is an upsetting event to all of us here at United," Chief Executive Officer Oscar Munoz said in a statement. "I apologize for having to re-accommodate these customers." Munoz said United was "moving with a sense of urgency" to work with the authorities and conduct its own review of the incident. In Bridges' video, a woman asks: "Can't they rent a car for the pilots and have them drive?" Two uniformed men then reach into the doctor's seat and yank him from his chair. The passenger screams as he is dragged on his back by his hands, glasses askew and shirt pulled up above his navel. Another video shows him, still disheveled from the altercation, returning to the cabin, running to the back of the plane and repeating: "I have to go home." Fellow passenger Jayse D Anspach, who goes by @JayseDavid on Twitter, wrote: "No one volunteered (to leave), so @United decided to choose for us. They chose an Asian doctor and his wife." While airport security staff were ejecting him, Anspach wrote, his face was slammed against an armrest, causing his mouth to bleed. "It looked like he was knocked out, because he went limp and quiet," Anspach wrote, "and they dragged him out of the plane like a rag doll." Late last month, two teenage girls dressed in leggings were denied boarding on a United flight from Denver to Minneapolis because of their form-fitting pants. Because the girls were using free passes for employees or family members, they were subject to a dress code. (Reuters)

Passenger dragged from United Airlines flight in 'upsetting event'

United Airlines found itself at the centre of a social media storm after it barred two teenaged girls from boarding a flight in Denver on Sunday because they were wearing leggings.

Another girl, a 10-year-old, who was also wearing leggings was allowed to board the flight from Denver International Airport to Minneapolis after she changed, a witness said.

The incident was reported on Twitter by Shannon Watts -- founder of gun reform group Moms Demand Action -- who was a passenger at the airport waiting to board another flight to Mexico.

&quot;She&#39;s forcing them to change or put dresses on over leggings or they can&#39;t board,&quot; she said. &quot;Since when does @united police women&#39;s clothing?&quot;

&quot;A 10-year-old girl in gray leggings,&quot;&nbsp;added of one of the girls. &quot;She looked normal and appropriate.&quot;

The <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/26/us/united-airlines-leggings.html?module=WatchingPortal&amp;region=c-column-middle-span-region&amp;pgType=Homepage&amp;action=click&amp;mediaId=thumb_square&amp;state=standard&amp;contentPlacement=4&amp;version=internal&amp;contentCollection=www.nytimes.com&amp;contentId=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nytimes.com%2F2017%2F03%2F26%2Fus%2Funited-airlines-leggings.html&amp;eventName=Watching-article-click" target="_blank">New York Times</a> has picked up the story, and&nbsp;reports that the child in leggings was not allowed to board until she put on a dress, which luckily her mother had in her carry-on bag. A gate agent said the pants were not &quot;appropriate attire&quot;.&nbsp;

They quote Ms Watts as saying that the father had shorts that came two to three inches above his knees, and that was permitted without issue.

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1) A <a href="https://twitter.com/united">@united</a> gate agent isn&#39;t letting girls in leggings get on flight from Denver to Minneapolis because spandex is not allowed?
&mdash; Shannon Watts (@shannonrwatts) <a href="https://twitter.com/shannonrwatts/status/845992819894321153">March 26, 2017</a></blockquote>
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However, United Airlines maintained its support for the gate agent&#39;s decision in its own series of tweets.

Later, it clarified that the girls prevented from boarding were &quot;pass riders&quot; -- those who fly free or at heavily reduced rates because they are airline employees or their relatives.

&quot;Our regular passengers are not going to be denied boarding because they are wearing leggings or yoga pants,&quot; a spokesman told The Washington Post.&nbsp;

&quot;But when flying as a pass traveler, we require pass travelers to follow rules, and that is one of those rules.&quot;

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ATTENTION TRAVELERS here is United Airlines new dress code for women <a href="https://t.co/7t1M0pbY6F">pic.twitter.com/7t1M0pbY6F</a>
&mdash; psedoali (@psedoali) <a href="https://twitter.com/psedoali/status/846057805022818304">March 26, 2017</a></blockquote>
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The company never explained why &quot;pass riders&quot; have such a rule.

The notion that young girls cannot wear leggings because their airfare is reduced for being an employee&#39;s relative didn&#39;t stop a tsunami of ridicule against the airline on social media for what critics called sexist and intrusive actions.

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<a href="https://twitter.com/shannonrwatts">@shannonrwatts</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/MsNursePetty">@MsNursePetty</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/united">@united</a> this is more acceptable <a href="https://t.co/c99739VQTz">pic.twitter.com/c99739VQTz</a>
&mdash; Howie Doohan (@paulsboutiquery) <a href="https://twitter.com/paulsboutiquery/status/846028703503208452">March 26, 2017</a></blockquote>
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&quot;@united Leggings are business attire for 10 year olds. Their business is being children,&quot; actress Patricia Arquette tweeted.

Model Chrissy Teigen weighed in: &quot;I have flown united before with literally no pants on. Just a top as a dress.&quot;&nbsp;

&quot;Next time I will wear only jeans and a scarf,&quot; she added.

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I have flown united before with literally no pants on. Just a top as a dress. Next time I will wear only jeans and a scarf.
&mdash; christine teigen (@chrissyteigen) <a href="https://twitter.com/chrissyteigen/status/846066710171926529">March 26, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Other posters published&nbsp;the company&#39;s own promotional literature to expose their obvious hypocrisy:

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<a href="https://twitter.com/united">@united</a> Really? <a href="https://t.co/O9RplgrTsv">pic.twitter.com/O9RplgrTsv</a>
&mdash; Jeremy Pond (@JeremyPond) <a href="https://twitter.com/JeremyPond/status/846072356019818497">March 26, 2017</a></blockquote>
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(WION with inputs from AFP)

A 10-year-old who was also wearing leggings was only allowed to board after she put a dress on over her pants, while her father wore shorts

United Airlines found itself at the centre of a social media storm after it barred two teenaged girls from boarding a flight in Denver on Sunday because they were wearing leggings. Another girl, a 10-year-old, who was also wearing leggings was allowed to board the flight from Denver International Airport to Minneapolis after she changed, a witness said. The incident was reported on Twitter by Shannon Watts -- founder of gun reform group Moms Demand Action -- who was a passenger at the airport waiting to board another flight to Mexico. "She's forcing them to change or put dresses on over leggings or they can't board," she said. "Since when does @united police women's clothing?" "A 10-year-old girl in gray leggings," added of one of the girls. "She looked normal and appropriate." The New York Times has picked up the story, and reports that the child in leggings was not allowed to board until she put on a dress, which luckily her mother had in her carry-on bag. A gate agent said the pants were not "appropriate attire". They quote Ms Watts as saying that the father had shorts that came two to three inches above his knees, and that was permitted without issue. 1) A @united gate agent isn't letting girls in leggings get on flight from Denver to Minneapolis because spandex is not allowed? — Shannon Watts (@shannonrwatts) March 26, 2017 × However, United Airlines maintained its support for the gate agent's decision in its own series of tweets. Later, it clarified that the girls prevented from boarding were "pass riders" -- those who fly free or at heavily reduced rates because they are airline employees or their relatives. "Our regular passengers are not going to be denied boarding because they are wearing leggings or yoga pants," a spokesman told The Washington Post. "But when flying as a pass traveler, we require pass travelers to follow rules, and that is one of those rules." ATTENTION TRAVELERS here is United Airlines new dress code for women pic.twitter.com/7t1M0pbY6F — psedoali (@psedoali) March 26, 2017 × The company never explained why "pass riders" have such a rule. The notion that young girls cannot wear leggings because their airfare is reduced for being an employee's relative didn't stop a tsunami of ridicule against the airline on social media for what critics called sexist and intrusive actions. @shannonrwatts @MsNursePetty @united this is more acceptable pic.twitter.com/c99739VQTz — Howie Doohan (@paulsboutiquery) March 26, 2017 × "@united Leggings are business attire for 10 year olds. Their business is being children," actress Patricia Arquette tweeted. Model Chrissy Teigen weighed in: "I have flown united before with literally no pants on. Just a top as a dress." "Next time I will wear only jeans and a scarf," she added. I have flown united before with literally no pants on. Just a top as a dress. Next time I will wear only jeans and a scarf. — christine teigen (@chrissyteigen) March 26, 2017 × Other posters published the company's own promotional literature to expose their obvious hypocrisy: @united Really? pic.twitter.com/O9RplgrTsv — Jeremy Pond (@JeremyPond) March 26, 2017 × (WION with inputs from AFP)

United Airlines bars two girls from boarding for wearing leggings

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