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FlightGlobal • Edward Russell

United CEO Scott Kirby rules out future airline consolidation after American rebuff; JetBlue bankruptcy could reopen merger math

Weeks after American Airlines rejected merger overtures from United CEO Scott Kirby, he says United will not pursue buying American or JetBlue. Kirby also dismisses a JetBlue deal as “mathematically not doable,” while noting that a JetBlue bankruptcy scenario could change the economics—albeit leaving consolidation off the table for now.

2026-05-27T13:13:44.069801-07:00

Paddle Your Own Kanoo

United flight diverts to Washington Dulles after passenger allegedly tries to open cabin door at 30,000–36,000 feet

2026-05-21T22:06:11.248730-07:00

The Points Guy

United to launch first-ever Sapporo service and add daily Chicago–Tokyo Narita flights for 2025/26 winter

2026-05-14T05:06:44.627510-07:00

CNBC

United flight attendants ratify five-year contract with 31% pay increases, ending nearly six years without a raise

2026-05-12T11:20:36.128352-07:00

News Timeline

FlightGlobal

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United CEO Scott Kirby rules out future airline consolidation after American rebuff; JetBlue bankruptcy could reopen merger math Weeks after American Airlines rejected merger overtures from United CEO Scott Kirby, he says United will not pursue buying American or JetBlue. Kirby also dismisses a JetBlue deal as “mathematically not doable,” while noting that a JetBlue bankruptcy scenario could change the economics—albeit leaving consolidation off the table for now.

2026-05-27T13:13:44.069801-07:00

United CEO Scott Kirby rules out future airline consolidation after American rebuff; JetBlue bankruptcy could reopen merger math

Paddle Your Own Kanoo

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United flight diverts to Washington Dulles after passenger allegedly tries to open cabin door at 30,000–36,000 feet A United Airlines Newark-to-Guatemala City flight was forced to divert to Washington Dulles after a passenger allegedly attempted to open a cabin door while the aircraft was cruising over the US East Coast. The incident was followed by an onboard assault on another traveler, per air traffic control audio.

2026-05-21T22:06:11.248730-07:00

United flight diverts to Washington Dulles after passenger allegedly tries to open cabin door at 30,000–36,000 feet

Breitflyte

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United–JetBlue Blue Sky: reciprocal MileagePlus and TrueBlue elite perks roll out United MileagePlus and JetBlue TrueBlue have launched reciprocal elite benefits under the Blue Sky partnership, extending priority boarding, extra legroom seating, and free checked bags to eligible members traveling on either network. The change follows broader Blue Sky commercialization and comes as the carriers’ tie-up faces ongoing legal scrutiny.

2026-05-14T10:55:50.146866-07:00

United–JetBlue Blue Sky: reciprocal MileagePlus and TrueBlue elite perks roll out

The Points Guy

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United to launch first-ever Sapporo service and add daily Chicago–Tokyo Narita flights for 2025/26 winter United Airlines will add Japan service to Sapporo for the first time, with new nonstop routes including San Francisco–Sapporo and a daily Chicago–Tokyo Narita departure for the 2025–2026 northern winter season. Some flights will be operated with Boeing 787-9 aircraft, including SFO–Sapporo winter service starting in December 2026.

2026-05-14T05:06:44.627510-07:00

United to launch first-ever Sapporo service and add daily Chicago–Tokyo Narita flights for 2025/26 winter

Flying Magazine

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United Airlines Ventures backs Enhanced Radar to scale enterprise radar/ATC software for airport and airline customers United Airlines Ventures has invested in Enhanced Radar, funding refinement of the startup’s enterprise software for airport and airline users. The support is aimed at improving how the company delivers its radar-related capabilities into day-to-day operational workflows across aviation customer environments.

2026-05-13T08:31:11.856276-07:00

United Airlines Ventures backs Enhanced Radar to scale enterprise radar/ATC software for airport and airline customers

CNBC

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United flight attendants ratify five-year contract with 31% pay increases, ending nearly six years without a raise United’s ~30,000 flight attendants voted overwhelmingly to ratify a new five-year labor agreement that delivers a 31% pay increase and other boarding-pay improvements, with the contract set to take effect this summer. The settlement makes United the last of the US “Big 4” to land a post-pandemic cabin crew pact.

2026-05-12T11:20:36.128352-07:00

United flight attendants ratify five-year contract with 31% pay increases, ending nearly six years without a raise

CNBC

United flight attendants ratify new contract after 5.5 years; 82% vote yes United Airlines’ flight attendants have ratified a new collective bargaining agreement after 5.5 years without a raise, with 82% voting in favor. The deal includes pay potential exceeding $100 per hour and a $740 million lump-sum payout.

2026-05-12T11:20:36.128352-07:00

United flight attendants ratify new contract after 5.5 years; 82% vote yes

Air Data News

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United to resume daily Houston–Caracas nonstops Aug. 11, 2026 with Boeing 737-8 MAX (restart after ~9-year pause) United Airlines will restart daily nonstop service between Houston (IAH) and Caracas (CCS) on Aug. 11, 2026, using the Boeing 737-8 MAX. The relaunch follows nearly nine years without the route, restoring direct U.S.–Venezuela connectivity from United’s Houston hub.

2026-05-12T06:50:03.343350-07:00

United to resume daily Houston–Caracas nonstops Aug. 11, 2026 with Boeing 737-8 MAX (restart after ~9-year pause)

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United Airlines News

United CEO Scott Kirby rules out future airline consolidation after American rebuff; JetBlue bankruptcy could reopen merger math

United flight diverts to Washington Dulles after passenger allegedly tries to open cabin door at 30,000–36,000 feet

United to launch first-ever Sapporo service and add daily Chicago–Tokyo Narita flights for 2025/26 winter

United flight attendants ratify five-year contract with 31% pay increases, ending nearly six years without a raise

News Timeline