Skift Take
Admire the simplicity of United Airlines’ plan to rebuild its route network for businesses — but question its accuracy.
If you don’t ask, you don’t get. And right now, United Airlines is doing a lot of asking as it quizzes businesses on where they’d like to fly to help realign its network.
Nothing new there, perhaps. Airlines often talk to corporate clients when developing routes. This time, though, United is throwing the question out to all of its corporate customers, via its Jetsream customer portal. Real-time responses are then relayed to its network team.
The scheme — “United together to rebuild our network” — is a call to action to help build its global map back up again, according to airline execs.
“While coronavirus has presented many challenges for all of our businesses, it has also presented unique opportunities to work together and build what’s next,” United said in an email to its customers. “Today we’d like to share one such opportunity with you — a chance to directly inform us of your business travel needs as we rebuild our global map.”
The airline is asking for anticipated destinations, and other details like number of passengers and time frames. Information will be kept confidential, and corporate travel agencies are also invited to submit information on behalf of their clients.
It also wants to hear about any project work, too.
"The only way we’re going to be able to increase demand and get those planes where they need to be, is for you to tell us," said Sue Skowron, sales manager at United, during a Fox World Travel webinar last week.
“If your companies are looking at a specific destination, or you have project work that needs to be done, we want to hear about it. If you have access to our sales portal, Jetstream ... submit your request here. We want to get you there, but we need to know where you need to go."
It's an impassioned request, but will it work? And are there any ulterior motives?
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