United Airlines News

The pandemic has forced airline CEOs to be more accessible. Coming off the worst year in aviation's modern history, being front and center with workers and customers takes on a new urgency for CEOs looking to resuscitate business.

United's 270-jet order is a milestone for the airline, but the carrier is playing catch-up with its rivals, Delta and American, which have newer aircraft in their fleets. Still, the order is a bet that the industry will not just bounce back but grow as it emerges from the pandemic.

In Skift’s top stories this week, Icelandair's plan to return to normalcy, airlines wants to bring criminal charges against unruly passengers, shortages ripple through the travel industry this summer and investors back Outdoorsy as the new Airbnb.

United's heft could help its new corporate venture capital unit, which will be like a barnacle on a whale. Unlike pure-play venture capital firms, United Airlines Ventures can invest for a truly long haul thanks to its strategic focus.

In terms of saving the planet, the next best thing to not flying long-haul could be flying on a plane that uses sustainable fuel. Many companies are buying into this now, but it's still early days.

American Airlines and Virgin Atlantic are the latest to make commitments for a new breed of electric aircraft. But with few more than glossy renderings and even fewer actually flying, the likelihood of this new breed of plane carrying passengers by mid-decade as promised is low.

New U.S. spending data suggests that some brands, such as Enterprise, Vrbo, and JetBlue, had a better first half of 2021 than their rivals. The travel industry as a whole should be grateful for the U.S. federal stimulus checks to consumers.

Traveling can be nerve-racking and airline lounges have traditionally provided a place of respite for weary travelers. As the pandemic recovery continues and lounges are reopening, this is the time to add a dose of safety, healthy good food and innovations to win passengers back.