United Airlines

The United States and China have agreed to double the number of airline flights that each other's airlines can operate between the countries, from four to eight per week, the U.S. Transportation Department announced Tuesday.

United Airlines is adding up to 28 daily nonstop U.S. flights to Florida starting Nov. 6 as the Chicago-based airline bets on a rebound in leisure travelers heading to sunny skies.

United Airlines adds a new UVC light cleaning protocol for the health and safety of commercial airline pilots.

United Airlines is the latest commercial air carrier to update its coronavirus-related personal protective equipment guidance to exclude face masks with built-in exhaust valves, the company announced Wednesday evening.

American, Delta and United will reportedly resume some international routes this month, although flight schedules will be significantly reduced compared to this time last year due to the progression of COVID-19. 

The airline industry has been battered by the virus pandemic. In March, companies got $32 billion to help cover payroll costs for six months in exchange for not laying off workers.

Delta CEO Ed Bastian sent a memo to employees Thursday to thank the 17,000 Delta workers who agreed to take voluntary departure packages, a significant number of which are departing this week.

United has minority stakes in both companies, which bring passengers from smaller markets

United said its average flight from April through June was 35 percent full and it estimates the July average will be 45 percent

As of July 24, passengers will have to cover up while at United customer service counters and kiosks, United Club locations, United's gates and baggage claim areas, the airline said.

More than 6,000 United employees have opted to take a voluntary separation package, including flight benefits and continuous pay through Nov. 30, 2020, as the airline took aggressive action in the second quarter to mitigate the financial impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

United Airlines' average occupancy rate is expected to fall to about 45 percent in July, as the airline limits the number of passengers in an effort to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus.

U.S. airlines have warned that tens of thousands of jobs are on the line in October when a U.S. government bailout runs out

2,250 pilots are at risk of furlough this year at United

United Airlines could furlough 36,000 of its U.S.-based frontline employees by Oct. 1.

United Airlines is preparing for a potential furlough of employees effective Oct. 1 due to reduced demand.

The largest U.S. air carriers have all signed letters of intent on federal loans to help them weather the novel coronavirus, with United Airlines warning employees on Tuesday that a surge in outbreaks was hitting bookings, threatening a travel rebound and jobs.

Five additional U.S. air carriers - Alaska Airlines, Delta Air Lines, JetBlue Airways, United Airlines and Southwest Airlines - plan to seek federal loans amid the novel coronavirus outbreak, the U.S. Department of Treasury said on Tuesday.

United Airlines told employees to prepare to receive notifications of potential furloughs under the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act, known as the WARN Act, as soon as this week.

About 15 million Americans are expected to travel by plane this summer.