United Airlines announced it will be dropping change fees on flights in the United States, except its cheapest flights, in hopes of bringing back customers amid the pandemic.
“Our customers have always asked for that flexibility, and we’re giving them the flexibility and confidence that they can buy a ticket and know that if their plans change, if anything changes, they can make that change for free,” United CEO Scott Kirby told “Today” show in a piece published Monday. (RELATED: Delta, United Scrap Discounts For NRA Members)
Best news of 2020.
We’re getting rid of change fees for good on all standard Economy and Premium tickets for travel within the U.S. and making same-day standby free for everyone.
Learn more: https://t.co/35JEfYZ5ig pic.twitter.com/tBFhIsROiu
— United Airlines (@united) August 30, 2020
“We’re making the bet, and I think it’s the right one, that doing the right thing for customers in the long term is going to pay off,” he added. (RELATED: Dan Bilzerian Rips Into United Airlines On Twitter For Overselling Flights)
“Best news of 2020,” a tweet from the airline read. “We’re getting rid of change fees for good on all standard Economy and Premium tickets for travel within the U.S. and making same-day standby free for everyone.”
The post then provided a link to its website with further details on the changes that will start January 1 which included joining the same-day standby list for free and MileagePlus Premier members, “may be able to confirm a seat on an earlier flight for no cost at all.”
The airline had previously opted to suspend the $200 fee it charged a passenger to change their flights during the coronavirus outbreak.
This comes after the company had shared that it might have to furlough up to 3,000 pilots since travel on its airline has dropped dramatically during the pandemic, nearly 80% for passenger levels and 90% for business travel. Delta Airlines announced it too expects to involuntarily furlough some 1,900 pilots, according to Today.
Following United Airline’s announcement, Delta followed suit announcing that they’re also dropping change fees for tickets purchased for travel in the U.S., Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands, except for basic economy tickets, per Reuters.