United Airlines says it will halt its flights from JFK Airport on October 29th, saying its schedule at the airport is too miniscule to remain competitive in the market.
The airline said the “difficult decision” was reached in part due to more airlines resuming flying to and from JFK in the winter season.
“The significance of JFK to our operation hasn’t changed — we think New York customers deserve more choices, and robust United service to JFK is good for our customers, our employees and our airline,” United said in a letter to CNN. “As a result, we will continue our pursuit of a bigger and more desirable schedule for our customers and be ready to seize those opportunities if and when they surface.”
United has been urging the FAA to provide it more of the highly coveted takeoff and landing spots at JFK and advocating for the agency to update its assessment of the airport’s capacity, saying that talks with the FAA have thus far been “constructive.”
Those updated assessments, however, will take time and United is thus halting flight at JFK, at least temporarily.
“The FAA is dedicated to doing its part to safely expand New York City airports and airspace capacity” the agency said in a statement. “We will follow our fair and well-established process to award future slots to increase competition between airlines so passengers have more options.”
United had threatened to stop its service from JFK if the FAA didn’t give it additional slots, less than two years after a 5-year hiatus from service at the airport.
The airline says that its 100 employees who work at JFK will not lose their jobs and will simply be transferred to other nearby locations, and that it is “working with customers” who have flights booked with them from JFK scheduled for after October 29.
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10 Responses
This is a minor development. United has very few flights at JFK, as it is.
On the few occasions in recent years I flew into JFK on UA, I ended up having to take an Uber to Newark (where they are the largest carrier) for my connection. All the airlines are cutting back on marginal operations so expect more crowded flights and fewer upgrades unless your taking a red-eye to Toldeo.
Untied is not the quality airline it used to be and for us, who fly to Israel, the Untied staff at Newark has been less than respectful. Corporate headquarters attitude is no different! They’re a useless airline as I see it.
Help me!
(Being dragged off a flight)
I happen to love United Airlines. The always accommodated me nicely.
United Breaks Guitars
I always found the most reasonably priced flights to LA to be on United from JFK.
Very Kosher! I once flew United from London to JFK. Even the snacks given out on the flight had a hechsher, so no complaints! The flight was also OK so why complain? Gmar chasima tova to everyone!
This is a Minor Development. They pretty much only fly to SFO and LAX from JFK and have very few daily flights.
@Gadol
It’s your own fault. Check the itinerary before purchasing a ticket.