Vaccine Euphoria Isn’t Deterring United From Conservative Approach as Year-End Cancellations Rise
Skift Take
In spite of a rise in holiday flight cancellations, United Airlines remains confident for the long-term return of business and international travel — there is pent-up travel demand and the airline has had success with its early pre-flight testing programs. Still, even with a vaccine on the horizon, the airline remains cautious.
Even with a gloomy outlook for the upcoming holiday season from an uptick in last-minute flight cancellations, United Airlines Chief Commercial Officer Andrew Nocella shared an optimistic outlook at Skift Aviation Forum on Thursday. From encouraging vaccine news to demonstrated pent-up travel demand, and a successful pre-flight testing program for Hawaii and London, the airline is confident that both international and business travel will return.
Headlines causing cancellations, not new CDC recommendation
As recent headlines are discouraging Americans from travel, United Airlines indicated that the airline is beginning to see a rise in cancellations for the upcoming holiday.
“Right now we are definitely seeing a little bit of weakness on new bookings, but more interesting I think is we launched this policy of no change fees in the United States and in fact people are using that opportunity to make changes right now and to cancel their tickets for one reason or another,” Nocell
