United Airlines will give each of its employees a $1,000 bonus recognizing their perseverance and hard work over the last 18 months. All active employees will be awarded the United 100, the highest honor at United, usually reserved for 100 standout employees each year.

$1,000 bonus for all active employees

To honor its employees' hard work and dedication over the past 18 months, United Airlines will grant every single active employee a $1,000 bonus. United CEO Scott Kirby made the announcement during a webcast from Houston Bush Intercontinental Airport yesterday.

United Airlines, Hand Grenade, Flight Delay
United has recently resumed its operations from New York to Berlin. Photo: Vincenzo Pace | Simple Flying

Kirby said that the bonus represents a "thank you" for the perseverance of employees during a difficult period. The $1,000 bonuses will show up in employees' paychecks next month. With over 80,000 employees on the books, United is likely to be paying out over $80 million in bonuses.

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The United 100 award

United Airlines celebrates its most exceptional employees at its United 100 annual awards. The United 100 allows co-workers and managers to nominate employees for 'exemplary performance or for achievements that support the cornerstones of the company's business plan.'

The initiative was introduced in 2013 and gives employees special rewards to recognize their high performance. Past rewards include 100,000 MileagePlus miles and round-trip tickets anywhere on the airline's network.

United MAX 8
United honors its most exemplary 100 employees at its annual United 100 awards. Photo: Getty Images

Jeff Smisek, the former CEO of United, said at the 2014 United 100 event,

"It takes many talented people with a wide variety of skills and expertise to make us successful. These outstanding employees represent the best of who we are and what the United culture is all about, and I am proud to be on their team."

Past winners of the United 100 have had their names inscribed on a plaque inside a special Boeing 737-900ER. While the plaque is updated each year with the most recent award winners, the airline may struggle to fit in 80,000+ names this time around.

United unveils the United Next interior

At the same webcast yesterday, CEO Scott Kirby unveiled United's new "United Next" interior, which will soon become a mainstay throughout its narrowbody fleet. The airline showcased a brand-new Boeing 737 MAX 8, complete with a new "United Together" livery and fitted with the airline's United Next interior.

United Airlines, Airbus Order, Boeing 737 MAX
United will replace its aging 737NG fleet with the more fuel-efficient 737 MAX. Photo: Vincenzo Pace | Simple Flying

Kirby said,

"Our United Next vision will revolutionize the experience of flying United as we accelerate our business to meet a resurgence in air travel. By adding and upgrading this many aircraft so quickly with our new signature interiors, we’ll combine friendly, helpful service with the best experience in the sky, all across our premier global network."

The plan is to fit its entire narrowbody fleet with the updated interior by 2025. The United Next interior includes USB and electrical charging ports, larger overhead bins, the "fastest available" in-flight WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity to the in-flight entertainment system.

What do you think of United paying out $1,000 bonuses to every single employee? Are you excited about the new United Next interior? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments.