United Airlines is warning that runway construction plus a failure of JetBlue to cap flights is hurting operations at Newark Liberty International Airport and already leading to delays and cancellations.
United Warns Of Delays + Cancellations At Newark Airport
United Airlines held an employee town hall on Wednesday in which a number of issues were discussed, touching upon:
- Delayed regulatory approval for United’s new Washington Dulles – Lagos route
- The return of the Boeing 777s with Pratt & Whitney engines into service (hopefully soon)
- Encouraging employees once again to be kind to customers, reminding them that all the investments in the world cannot counteract a rude exchange that leaves a nasty impression
But perhaps most timely was a discussion on Newark Airport (EWR), where a perfect storm is brewing that will severely compromise operational performance.
- Construction is underway at EWR and the airport “basically…now only has one usable runway for departures and arrivals.”
- In order to reduce bottlenecks, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has “requested” that carriers limit their flying from Newark
- While United has limited its schedule (the FAA asked United not to exceed 240 daily flights and it has not), JetBlue has not not followed the FAA’s request
- United is now asking the FAA to change its guidance from a request to an order so that JetBlue also must cap flights (JetBlue was not mentioned by name at the meeting)
- Even with the flight caps, United is still being squeezed and will be “proactively canceling flights out of EWR at least 24 hours in advance during construction and rerouting those customers through other hubs”
The bottom line is this: avoid connecting in Newark if you can this summer. Sometimes it is unavoidable, but better if you can connect in Washington Dulles (where United is bolstering flights) or another United hub. While a lot of cushion is already worked into the schedule, these construction delays, even with good weather, will likely continue to get worse.
CONCLUSION
United has admitted it is experiencing an operational headache in Newark right now with no end in sight. Keep a close watch on your schedules as flights cancellations will generally occur a day or two in advance.
(H/T: View from the Wing)
It’s time for United to upgauge flights in and out of EWR.
Why is United flying 8+ flights a day to Orlando?
It’s time they increase their domestic widebody presence to decrease delays for them selves.
United needs to bring the fight right at JetBlue’s footsteps. Increase both gauge and capacity at JFK And teach JetBlue a lesson. They have both the means and metal. That’ll finally teach JetBlue not to pee on someone else’s front yard!
I had an EWR-bound UA flight cancelled this week. If what you said about JetBlue is true, they need to be smacked down.
I think Delta – and not the airline – will soon resolve this issue. IMO its only a matter of time before we go back to some type of lock-down. Cases are ramping up exponentially.
How long is the runway work scheduled to last?
I doubt people would accept another lockdown and if the vaccines are as effective as authorities say they are, they shouldn’t be necessary.
Time for the major airlines to start flying more from SWF (Newburgh, NY).
Middle of nowhere, no population of any sizeable amount nearby
Thanks for this article… I just changes all 4 of my upcoming EWR trips to LGA…
LGA is actually really nice now, can’t get direct flights to where I need to go… but I would rather a 60-90 minute connection than a 2+ hour delay
What is the update on the PW 777 fleet? How soon could those be back? United is voluntarily grounding them right – the FFA isn’t forcing them to?
I read in this piece don’t fly united and drive to your destinations.
As always, EWR is truly the armpit of all the UA hubs. Chicago gets hot dogs and LA gets made to order tacos…EWR UCs have the same packaged garbage and they can’t even be bothered to open the temp club.
Shouldn’t have backed out of Cleveland so quickly should we have United…..
Here in Australia, we don’t have airlines offering incentives like cash, hotel accommodation or upgrades for passengers when a flight is oversold. Personally, I’m never in hurry when I fly anywhere and would be very happy to be on an oversold or cancelled flight if I was rewarded with some kind of incentive for changing flights. So I read this and assume that many of United’s flights will be experiencing trouble in coming months. So if it were me flying, I would definitely be happy to travel via Newark…..
We recently spent two days in EWR due to cancellations. Will avoid EWR in the future. Airport was understaffed, United was understaffed, multiple flights cancelled each day. No United reps at gate or customer service. Online help was good. Airport sucks. Not family friendly at all (lack of family restrooms or changing tables in men’s restroom.