United Airlines is now reducing its capacity to Europe. After previously announcing capacity reductions to Asia, the carrier is now cutting transatlantic flights as passenger demand continues to decline.
United cuts European capacity
Routesonline reports that United has updated some European schedules this weekend. Below are the list of affected routes out of Chicago:
- Brussels: Reduce to five weekly Boeing 787-10 service from March 28th through April 26th
- Zurich: Service to start on May 1st instead of March 28th
United cuts European capacity from Newark
The following routes out of Newark Liberty International Airport are affected:
- Barcelona: Service switches from a 787-10 to a 767-400ER from March 28th through April 30th
- Berlin: Service switches from a Boeing 767-400ER to a Boeing 767-300ER
- Frankfurt: Second daily service resumes on May 1st instead of March 28th. Until May 20th, 787-10 operates
- Manchester: Boeing 757-200 replaces Boeing 767-300ER
- Milan-Malpensa: flights are canceled through March 14th, thrice-weekly 767-300ER service will commence from March 15th through April 30th
- Rome: Reduced to five weekly from March 16th to March 29th
San Francisco sees a capacity reduction
The following routes out of San Francisco will see a capacity reduction:
- Paris-Charles de Gaulle: 787-9 replaces 777-200ER from March 28th through April 30th
- Tel Aviv: Reduced to six weekly flights from March 29th through April 30th
Outside of Europe, United is also reducing service to Singapore from twice daily to daily. Meanwhile, flights to Taipei Taoyuan will operate with a 787-9 through April 30th in favor of a 777-300ER.
Capacity reductions to Europe from Washington-Dulles
Out of United's Washington-area hub, United is altering the following services:
- Frankfurt reduces from 14-weekly to 12-weekly flights from March 28th through April 26th
- Geneva service is suspended from March 28th through April 30th (however, there are a few flights scheduled on select days)
- London-Heathrow: A 787-9 replaces a 777-200ER on one daily flight from March 28th through April 30th. Meanwhile, a 767-300ER replaces a 777-200ER on another daily flight from April 19th through April 30th.
- Munich: A Boeing 767-400ER replaces a 777-200ER from March 28th through April 30th
- Paris-Charles de Gaulle: A Boeing 787-9 replaces a 777-200ER from March 28th through April 30th
- Rome: Service is canceled between March 28th and April 30th.
United braces for a hit
Among the big three US airlines, United has historically had one of the most expansive route networks. Now, as the coronavirus outbreak takes a toll on travel demand, United is reducing capacity to some destinations. Nevertheless, most passengers can still get where they need to thanks to United's transatlantic partnerships.
For United, it makes sense to cut capacity if there is reduced demand. This will help the airline reduce any potential losses. And, perhaps, if the airline does have some spare aircraft sitting around, United can speed up its retrofits of widebody international aircraft.
Have your flights to Europe been affected by United's capacity reductions? Let us know in the comments!
Routesonline was the source for scheduling information in this article and is linked above.