United Airlines flies approximately 3,300* flights each day to more than 200 cities around the world. Our pilots and operations professionals use the latest flight techniques to conserve fuel, reduce noise and keep the air clear and clean by reducing emissions.
*Based on United's forward-looking flight schedule for July 2009 to June 2010

• Our fleet
  In 2009, we completed the retirement of 100 of our oldest and least fuel-efficient aircraft. We also announced our plans to replace part of our fleet with new, more fuel efficient jets. United placed an order for 25 Airbus A350 XWB aircraft and 25 Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft, which we expect to take delivery of between 2016 and 2019. As a result of this order, we will retire our international Boeing 747s and 767s. With the Airbus A350, powered by the Rolls Royce Trent XWB engine, and the Boeing 787, powered by either the Rolls Royce Trent 1000 or the GE GEnx, we estimate that fuel costs and carbon emissions from the 50 aircraft will be reduced by about 33 percent. Additionally, average lifetime maintenance costs for the new aircraft are expected to be approximately 40 percent lower per available seat mile than the aircraft that will be retired. This investment will enable us to reduce our operating costs and better match aircraft to the key markets we serve, while providing our customers with state-of-the-art cabin comfort.
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• First Commercial Flight in US Using Synthetic Fuel
  In April 2010, we completed the first flight by a U.S. commercial airline using natural gas synthetic jet fuel, demonstrating our commitment to the advancement of alternative fuels in commercial aviation using fuel that is safe and approved for use in commercial aircraft. The flight confirmed our assumptions about how the fuel performs on a commercial aircraft and is the next step in our effort to stimulate competition in the aviation fuel supply chain, promote energy security, environmental benefits, and the creation of green jobs. We continues to support the use of alternative fuels, and we urge the U.S. government and the investment community to further support critical energy opportunities.
  
  The engineering validation flight was conducted using certified synthetic jet fuel (RenJet®), produced by Rentech, Inc. (NYSE AMEX: RTK) and approved for commercial use, in a 40/60 mix with conventional Jet A fuel in one of two engines on an Airbus 319 aircraft. The aircraft departed Denver International Airport at approximately 8:15 a.m. MDT and climbed to an altitude of 39,000 feet where the onboard team collected data on the performance of the fuel during several maneuvers, including taxi, takeoff, climb, cruise, auxiliary power unit start, descent and approach. The fuel, derived from natural gas and converted to liquid fuel, is approved by ASTM International, the international technical standards organization, and is safe for use on passenger flights. It is a drop-in fuel, which means that it can be used in existing engines with no modifications required.
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• Alternative jet fuel
  We are committed to pursuing alternative fuels and advancing technologies that will result in jet fuel that meets safety, quality, environmental and economic requirements. In 2009, we announced an agreement of our intent to purchase alternative aviation fuel that is expected to deliver these benefits from two U.S.-based producers, AltAir Fuels and Rentech.
  
  • AltAir Fuels: Seattle-based AltAir Fuels will produce jet fuel derived from camelina oil, a relatively new, next-generation biofuel feedstock. It is projected that approximately 75 million gallons of renewable jet fuel and diesel fuel will be refined at a new AltAir Fuels plant to be located at the Tesoro refinery in Anacortes, Washington.
  • Rentech: Los Angeles-based synthetic fuels and fertilizer company Rentech will supply synthetic jet fuel made from biomass, sewage sludge, natural gas and coal, using the Fischer-Tropsch process. The fuel will be derived principally from coal or petroleum coke, with the resultant carbon dioxide sequestered and the carbon footprint potentially further reduced by integrating biomass as a feedstock. Approximately 250 million gallons of synthetic jet fuel per year will be produced by the Rentech project in Adams County, Mississippi.
    

  Read the ATA announcement

  
  
• Onboard Recycling
  We recycle plastic bottles and aluminum cans onboard all of our US eligible routes. That amounts to recycling up to 25 million cans and six million plastic bottles across our domestic flights every year. That is equivalent to more than 590 tons of cans and bottles that we will divert from landfills. Onboard waste on a limited number of our US routes is considered as international waste that must be incinerated to comply with Federal regulations. In addition to recycling, we're also changing our work so that we generate less trash overall. Our Flight Attendants now open a can and pour the beverage for our customers. Should a customer want the full can, all they have to do is ask and it's theirs. Keeping control of the can helps us decrease our trash and ensure the can is recycled.
  
  Our onboard recycling program is an important way we are committed to protecting the environment - building on our actions in the air, on the ground, and in our communities. We know that acting responsibly and protecting the environment are important to our customers and our employees. Using less onboard and recycling more are some of the actions we are taking to make a difference. Every Action Counts.
  
  
• Tailored arrivals and continuous descent arrival
  As our customers enjoy safe, comfortable travel, our pilots and operations staff implement new procedures to reduce our environmental impact. For certain flights, our pilots begin tailored arrivals about 200 miles from their destinations. This technique incorporates data links to identify flight paths that avoid bad weather and restricted airspace—obstacles that could ultimately slow down their approach. At approved airports, we’re also using a new process called continuous descent arrival (CDA). By taking a more steady and gradual approach during descent, we are already saving thousands of gallons of fuel.
  
  
• Mitigating aircraft noise
  In addition to fuel savings, CDA and other procedures minimize and mitigate aircraft noise exposure while flying in the vicinity of airports. Regulated through technology standards for aircraft engines, all of our aircraft meet Stage 3 noise certification standards established by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
  
  
• Winglets
  Modifications to our planes are also producing results. We continue to install aerodynamic winglets on our fleet, which conserve fuel and extend the distance an aircraft can fly by reducing aerodynamic drag. Our Airbus fleet is fully equipped, and we have begun to retrofit our Boeing 757 fleet.
  
  
• Flight planning and polar flights
  As the global economy evolves, there is growing demand for nonstop flights between cities on opposite sides of the world. We’re saving time, conserving fuel and carrying more passengers by flying the most direct routes between certain cities in Asia and North America. Over time, new routes have opened up that allow for travel over the North Pole, Russia and China, and we have often been the first carrier to fly them. Recently, we celebrated our 10,000th polar flight when United Airlines flight 898 touched down after flying from Beijing to Washington, D.C., marking our 10th year of polar flights.
  
  
• Weight reduction
  We have introduced weight-reduction measures to reduce fuel consumption, including the removal of unnecessary equipment such as sky radios, trash compactors and ovens on certain aircraft; an optimized approach to the transport of onboard potable water; and improved fuel planning.