United AirlinesA Star Alliance Member
Skip Navigation LinksHome > Important notices

Important notices

Current as of Tuesday, May 21, 2013 7:10 PM Central. Information is updated as it is received.

Please visit Today's Operations for the current status of our operations.

Transportation Security Administration (TSA) prohibited items update

The TSA’s recently announced changes to its Prohibited Items List, including allowing small pocket knives on aircraft, have been temporarily delayed. For more information visit tsa.gov

Important account update information​

​To comply with the TSA Secure Flight program, for travel booked on or after January 20, 2013, customers must ensure that all travelers’ names on each reservation exactly match the government-issued IDs that will be shown at the airport. Changes to your own identification information can be made through your MileagePlus account. You may also change the names of your saved travelers, but they will only receive miles and Premier® benefits for the itinerary if the names on the reservation exactly match their MileagePlus accounts.

View FAQs relating to account updates

Exception policies

In some cases where severe weather and other uncontrollable events are impacting United’s operations, we may, at our sole discretion issue an exception policy designed to accommodate customers with restricted tickets who wish to change their travel in advance of any potential disruption. Exception policies currently in effect are listed below:​​​

EventTravel to/from/throughDates
Oklahoma City TornadoAirports:
  • Oklahoma City, OK (OKC)
Original Travel Dates:
May 21, 2013 - May 22, 2013

Final Travel must be completed by:
End of Validity of ticket (one year from date of issue)​​
Flight Changes:
  • Fees for same-day flight changes are waived within 24 hours of original departure.
  • For all other changes, the change fee will be waived, but a difference in fare may apply.
​​

For additional information about what to do if your travel is affected by an exception policy, visit the Flight Delays and Cancellations page.

Update regarding Boeing 787 flights

Last updated May 13, 2013

In compliance with an FAA directive issued January 16, we temporarily suspended operation of our fleet of six Boeing 787 Dreamliners while Boeing, the FAA and other governmental agencies worked to resolve issues affecting batteries on two 787s operated by Japanese airlines. The FAA recently approved a modification by Boeing that will fix these battery issues and this modification is currently being implemented on our 787 fleet. Bookings are now available for United's Dreamliner flights within the U.S. for May 20 and beyond, and we will begin international 787 service on our new route between Denver and Tokyo Narita International on June 10. We look forward to once again putting our 787s into service and continue to keep you informed as we receive more information.

Airport updates

Bogota terminal information

All United international flights from El Dorado International (BOG) now depart from Terminal 2, the new international terminal. Domestic flights will continue to depart from Terminal 1. United check-in counters are located in Terminals 1 and 2.

Denver construction advisory

Due to construction beginning in June 2012, passenger drop-off and pickup at Denver International Airport may be rerouted. Customers should allow additional time on the way to and from the airport.

For more information, go to flydenver.com/construction.

Houston terminal information

United's check-in counters and baggage claim at Houston Intercontinental's Terminal A have closed. United flights will continue to depart from Terminals A, B, C and E, but customers on flights departing from Terminal A must first check in at Terminal B. Customers on United flights arriving at Terminal A can claim their checked baggage at Terminal B.

Kansas City terminal information

All of United's operations at Kansas City International (MCI) are now located at Terminal A.

Las Vegas terminal information

Check-in counters and baggage claim at McCarran International (LAS) have been relocated from Terminal 1 to Terminal 3. Flights will continue to depart from Concourse D, which is connected to Terminal 3 by an underground tram.

London terminal information

All of our flight numbers are aligned under the UA flight code; however, United flights operate out of two different terminals at London Heathrow. Please see below to determine which terminal your flight(s) will use.

Origin or destination Terminal Additional details
Chicago
Los Angeles
San Francisco
Washington Dulles
1 Flights arrive at and depart from T1 and the airline's ticket desk and check-in facilities for these flights are located at Zone C.
New York (Newark)
Houston
4 Flights arrive at and depart from T4 and the airline's ticket desk and check-in facilities for these flights are located on the Departures level.

Please ensure that your airport travel arrangements involve the correct terminal for your departure or arrival city.

Orlando terminal information

Check in for all flights departing Orlando International (MCO) at Terminal B, ticketing area F.

Quito airport relocation

Effective February 20, 2013, all flight operations to, from and through Quito, Ecuador, will be relocated to the new Quito Mariscal Sucre International Airport (UIO). The new location is approximately a 1.5-hour trip from the Quito city center, and we recommend that customers arrive at the airport at least 2.5 hours prior to flight departure, so please plan accordingly.

San Antonio terminal information

All United flights from San Antonio International (SAT) depart from Terminal B.

San Francisco terminal information

United flights from San Francisco International (SFO) depart from Terminal 1, Terminal 3 and the International Terminal. Ticketing, check-in and baggage drop for all flights are located at Terminal 3.

You may proceed through security at Terminal 3 and, if you are departing from Terminal 1, take the shuttle bus from Terminal 3 to Terminal 1. If you are departing from Terminal 1 and have already checked in, do not need to see a United representative, and do not have any bags to check, you may proceed through Terminal 1 security with your boarding pass.

Shuttle buses depart every five minutes from Terminal 3 (Gates 71A and 87A) to Terminal 1 (Gate 39). For elevator access to a bus stop, please use Gate 87A.

Check your flight status before departing for the airport for updated departure gate information. You can also check your flight status using the United mobile app or mobile website.

Sao Paulo terminal information

All United check-in counters at Sao Paulo - Guarulhos International (GRU) are now located in Terminal 1. United flights will still depart from and arrive at Terminals 1 and 2.

Washington National terminal information

Check in for all flights departing Washington National (DCA) at Terminal B. Flights depart from Terminal B, at Gates 10, 11, 12, 14 and 16.​​​​​

International travel

  • Reciprocity fee for travel to Argentina

    American, Australian and Canadian citizens are now required to pre-pay a Reciprocity Fee for entry into Argentina. In the past, the fee was collected at Argentine airports upon arrival; however, customers must now pay the Reciprocity Fee online through Argentina’s National Immigration Agency website before checking in for their flight to Argentina. A barcoded receipt for payment must be presented to a representative at check-in.

    United is not permitted to transport to Argentina any American, Australian, or Canadian citizen who has not paid the Reciprocity Fee prior to departure. Failure to provide a copy of the barcoded payment receipt at check-in will result in a delay or possible denial of your travel to Argentina. Please visit www.migraciones.gov.ar for complete details, including the fee amount and the validity period. Any questions regarding this fee or the payment process should be directed to the Argentine authorities.

  • Travel to Venezuela
    The Secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security is unable to determine whether Venezuelan airports that serve as the last point of departure for non-stop flights to the U.S. maintain and carry out effective aviation security measures in accordance with the Standards and appropriate Recommended Practices established by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). All flights are subject to continuing effectiveness of government approvals.

  • ESTA for U.S. Visa Waiver Program Travelers
    The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) requires Visa Waiver Program (VWP) travelers to obtain approval from the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) prior to check-in for a flight to the U.S.

    To apply for authorization to travel to the U.S., travelers may go to the ESTA web-based system and complete an application.

  • U.S. Departure and Entry Requirements
    U.S. federal legislation requires all customers, regardless of citizenship or age, to hold a valid passport for travel by air to or from the U.S. Review the complete details.

    Passport, visa and health requirements for the transit and destination countries are provided by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) on united.com as a courtesy and should be verified by the passenger before travel. Remember that if the passenger is departing the U.S., a passport is now required, regardless of the destination country's entry requirements.

    U.S. federal legislation requires commercial air carriers operating international flights to the U.S. to submit the visiting address of all passengers who are non-U.S. citizens and non-residents to U.S. Customs and Border Protection before travel commences. Customers will be expected to provide this information during check-in.

  • Other Travel Advisories
    Go to the U.S. Department of State website at http://travel.state.gov/travel/travel_1744.html for the latest travel advisories.

  •