Back to the Skies

United Airlines leads the way to the safe rebound of air travel.

- By Allie Moore

Travelers around the world are hopeful 2021 will be the year they can take to the skies once again for long-awaited trips to dream destinations. In order to stay on top of constant changes in the travel industry, keep passengers safe amid a global pandemic and somehow still eke out a profit, airlines had to be as flexible and nimble as the rest of us, bobbing and weaving through the unpredictable altitude changes and doing everything they can to stay afloat.

As one of the country’s big three airlines, United Airlines introduced new regulations for the current and future states of travel to keep customers committed and help restore faith in flying once again while simultaneously still striving to innovate and improve. At the start of the COVID-19 crisis, United outlined a three-pillar plan: build and maintain liquidity, minimize cash burn and variabilize cost structure.

As covid-19 began to spread around the globe, United launched CleanPlus as its new standard of cleanliness and hygiene for passengers and crew. Through a partnership with Clorox, the initiative involves using the cleaning company’s products to disinfect surfaces and areas in the more than 360 global airports where United operates (including check-in kiosks, United Club locations, gates and baggage claims) as well as aircraft, and handing out hand-sanitizing wipes to passengers as they board. United also works in close coordination with Cleveland Clinic experts who advise the airline on how to enhance cleaning practices as more information about the virus’s spreading capabilities emerges.