Airline data

United Airlines performance scorecard

In 2024, United spent $6.29M on federal lobbying while collecting $1437.0M in baggage and change fees — $228.0 in fees for every lobbying dollar.

We hold 173 validated statistics for United Airlines, covering 1987 to 2026-07. The 57 most recent in each category are below.

What this does not meanThis carrier’s figures span 1 January 2018, when the DOT changed both which airlines must report (from 1% to half of one percent of domestic scheduled passenger revenue) and how flights are attributed (from the operating carrier to the marketing carrier). Figures either side of that date describe different populations of flights, so they are listed by year rather than drawn as one trend.

Lobbying and political spending

In 2024, United reported $3.15B net income while scoring 51.7/100 on the Row30 Misery Index (rank #7 most miserable).
2024audited 10-K figures (complete population)
Holding-company level income.
In 2024, United scored 53.9/100 on the Row30 Hypocrisy Index (lobbying spend x passenger fees x operational misery), ranking #4.
2024composite index; components published alongside
Complaint dimension currently proxied by misery index pending DOT ATCR ingestion.
In 2024, United spent $6.29M on federal lobbying while collecting $1437.0M in baggage and change fees — $228.0 in fees for every lobbying dollar.
2024complete-population disclosures (LDA filings + Form 41)
Lobbying totals include all issues, not only aviation; LDA data as-retrieved (Senate cannot vouch post-retrieval).
In 2023, United reported $2.62B net income while scoring 47.1/100 on the Row30 Misery Index (rank #5 most miserable).
2023audited 10-K figures (complete population)
Holding-company level income.
In 2023, United scored 56.1/100 on the Row30 Hypocrisy Index (lobbying spend x passenger fees x operational misery), ranking #3.
2023composite index; components published alongside
Complaint dimension currently proxied by misery index pending DOT ATCR ingestion.
In 2023, United spent $18.28M on federal lobbying while collecting $1319.0M in baggage and change fees — $72.0 in fees for every lobbying dollar.
2023complete-population disclosures (LDA filings + Form 41)
Lobbying totals include all issues, not only aviation; LDA data as-retrieved (Senate cannot vouch post-retrieval).
In 2022, United reported $0.74B net income while scoring 35.0/100 on the Row30 Misery Index (rank #10 most miserable).
2022audited 10-K figures (complete population)
Holding-company level income.
In 2022, United scored 46.5/100 on the Row30 Hypocrisy Index (lobbying spend x passenger fees x operational misery), ranking #5.
2022composite index; components published alongside
Complaint dimension currently proxied by misery index pending DOT ATCR ingestion.
In 2022, United spent $6.64M on federal lobbying while collecting $1202.0M in baggage and change fees — $181.0 in fees for every lobbying dollar.
2022complete-population disclosures (LDA filings + Form 41)
Lobbying totals include all issues, not only aviation; LDA data as-retrieved (Senate cannot vouch post-retrieval).
In 2021, United scored 52.9/100 on the Row30 Hypocrisy Index (lobbying spend x passenger fees x operational misery), ranking #5.
2021composite index; components published alongside
Complaint dimension currently proxied by misery index pending DOT ATCR ingestion.
In 2021, United reported $-1.96B net income while scoring 42.2/100 on the Row30 Misery Index (rank #9 most miserable).
2021audited 10-K figures (complete population)
Holding-company level income.
In 2021, United spent $3.86M on federal lobbying while collecting $927.0M in baggage and change fees — $240.0 in fees for every lobbying dollar.
2021complete-population disclosures (LDA filings + Form 41)
Lobbying totals include all issues, not only aviation; LDA data as-retrieved (Senate cannot vouch post-retrieval).

Baggage and change fees

In 2024, United Air Lines Inc. collected $13.57 per passenger in baggage + change fees ($1437.0M total across 105.9M passengers).
2024complete-population accounting data (Form 41), not a sample
Excludes seat/upgrade/other ancillary fees (not separately reported).
In 2023, United Air Lines Inc. collected $12.82 per passenger in baggage + change fees ($1319.0M total across 102.9M passengers).
2023complete-population accounting data (Form 41), not a sample
Excludes seat/upgrade/other ancillary fees (not separately reported).
In 2022, United Air Lines Inc. collected $13.75 per passenger in baggage + change fees ($1202.0M total across 87.4M passengers).
2022complete-population accounting data (Form 41), not a sample
Excludes seat/upgrade/other ancillary fees (not separately reported).
In 2021, United Air Lines Inc. collected $15.74 per passenger in baggage + change fees ($927.0M total across 58.9M passengers).
2021complete-population accounting data (Form 41), not a sample
Excludes seat/upgrade/other ancillary fees (not separately reported).
In 2020, United Air Lines Inc. collected $19.96 per passenger in baggage + change fees ($600.0M total across 30.0M passengers).
2020complete-population accounting data (Form 41), not a sample
Excludes seat/upgrade/other ancillary fees (not separately reported).
In 2019, United Air Lines Inc. collected $18.63 per passenger in baggage + change fees ($1631.0M total across 87.6M passengers).
2019complete-population accounting data (Form 41), not a sample
Excludes seat/upgrade/other ancillary fees (not separately reported).
In 2018, United Air Lines Inc. collected $17.62 per passenger in baggage + change fees ($1516.0M total across 86.0M passengers).
2018complete-population accounting data (Form 41), not a sample
Excludes seat/upgrade/other ancillary fees (not separately reported).
In 2017, United Air Lines Inc. collected $18.67 per passenger in baggage + change fees ($1504.0M total across 80.6M passengers).
2017complete-population accounting data (Form 41), not a sample
Excludes seat/upgrade/other ancillary fees (not separately reported).
In 2016, United Air Lines Inc. collected $19.38 per passenger in baggage + change fees ($1432.0M total across 73.9M passengers).
2016complete-population accounting data (Form 41), not a sample
Excludes seat/upgrade/other ancillary fees (not separately reported).
In 2014, United Air Lines Inc. collected $22.45 per passenger in baggage + change fees ($1454.0M total across 64.8M passengers).
2014complete-population accounting data (Form 41), not a sample
Excludes seat/upgrade/other ancillary fees (not separately reported).
In 2013, United Air Lines Inc. collected $21.18 per passenger in baggage + change fees ($1381.0M total across 65.2M passengers).
2013complete-population accounting data (Form 41), not a sample
Excludes seat/upgrade/other ancillary fees (not separately reported).
In 2012, United Air Lines Inc. collected $18.96 per passenger in baggage + change fees ($1283.0M total across 67.6M passengers).
2012complete-population accounting data (Form 41), not a sample
Excludes seat/upgrade/other ancillary fees (not separately reported).

Report card

The 2024 Row30 Airline Report Card grades United D (53.0/100): reliability 53.9, baggage 22.7, fees 82.4.
2024composite of official DOT metrics; sub-scores published
Transparent composite, not an endorsement; sparse bumping data in some years.
The 2023 Row30 Airline Report Card grades United D (51.9/100): reliability 65.6, baggage 4.6, fees 85.6.
2023composite of official DOT metrics; sub-scores published
Transparent composite, not an endorsement; sparse bumping data in some years.
The 2022 Row30 Airline Report Card grades United C (63.3/100): reliability 75.3, baggage 30.0, fees 84.8.
2022composite of official DOT metrics; sub-scores published
Transparent composite, not an endorsement; sparse bumping data in some years.
The 2021 Row30 Airline Report Card grades United B (71.6/100): reliability 60.5, baggage 52.2, fees 74.9.
2021composite of official DOT metrics; sub-scores published
Transparent composite, not an endorsement; sparse bumping data in some years.
The 2020 Row30 Airline Report Card grades United C (60.8/100): reliability 74.0, baggage 41.6, fees 66.9.
2020composite of official DOT metrics; sub-scores published
Transparent composite, not an endorsement; sparse bumping data in some years.
The 2019 Row30 Airline Report Card grades United D (44.7/100): reliability 43.2, baggage 24.9, fees 65.9.
2019composite of official DOT metrics; sub-scores published
Transparent composite, not an endorsement; sparse bumping data in some years.
The 2018 Row30 Airline Report Card grades United C (62.9/100): reliability 58.0, baggage n/a, fees 67.7.
2018composite of official DOT metrics; sub-scores published
Transparent composite, not an endorsement; sparse bumping data in some years.
The 2017 Row30 Airline Report Card grades United C (64.3/100): reliability 65.1, baggage n/a, fees 63.6.
2017composite of official DOT metrics; sub-scores published
Transparent composite, not an endorsement; sparse bumping data in some years.
The 2016 Row30 Airline Report Card grades United D (52.8/100): reliability 43.9, baggage n/a, fees 61.8.
2016composite of official DOT metrics; sub-scores published
Transparent composite, not an endorsement; sparse bumping data in some years.
The 2015 Row30 Airline Report Card grades United D (45.1/100): reliability 39.6, baggage n/a, fees 50.6.
2015composite of official DOT metrics; sub-scores published
Transparent composite, not an endorsement; sparse bumping data in some years.
The 2014 Row30 Airline Report Card grades United F (32.3/100): reliability 29.2, baggage n/a, fees 35.3.
2014composite of official DOT metrics; sub-scores published
Transparent composite, not an endorsement; sparse bumping data in some years.
The 2013 Row30 Airline Report Card grades United F (38.6/100): reliability 36.1, baggage n/a, fees 41.1.
2013composite of official DOT metrics; sub-scores published
Transparent composite, not an endorsement; sparse bumping data in some years.

Cancellations and delays

In 2024, United cancelled 1.64% of its 760451 tracked flights (95% CI ±0.029 pts), ranking 8 of 15 carriers for cancellations.
2024n=760451 flights; binomial 95% CI ±0.029 pts
Reporting carriers only (DOT threshold); operating-carrier attribution.
In 2024, 19.9% of United flights arrived 15+ minutes late (n=760451 flights).
2024n=760451 flights
Reporting carriers only.
In 2023, United cancelled 1.4% of its 732212 tracked flights (95% CI ±0.027 pts), ranking 6 of 15 carriers for cancellations.
2023n=732212 flights; binomial 95% CI ±0.027 pts
Reporting carriers only (DOT threshold); operating-carrier attribution.
In 2023, 20.7% of United flights arrived 15+ minutes late (n=732212 flights).
2023n=732212 flights
Reporting carriers only.
In 2022, 19.3% of United flights arrived 15+ minutes late (n=626473 flights).
2022n=626473 flights
Reporting carriers only.
In 2022, United cancelled 1.9% of its 626473 tracked flights (95% CI ±0.034 pts), ranking 13 of 17 carriers for cancellations.
2022n=626473 flights; binomial 95% CI ±0.034 pts
Reporting carriers only (DOT threshold); operating-carrier attribution.
In 2021, 17.3% of United flights arrived 15+ minutes late (n=446837 flights).
2021n=446837 flights
Reporting carriers only.
In 2021, United cancelled 1.37% of its 446837 tracked flights (95% CI ±0.034 pts), ranking 13 of 17 carriers for cancellations.
2021n=446837 flights; binomial 95% CI ±0.034 pts
Reporting carriers only (DOT threshold); operating-carrier attribution.
In 2020, United cancelled 7.33% of its 308217 tracked flights (95% CI ±0.092 pts), ranking 3 of 16 carriers for cancellations.
2020n=308217 flights; binomial 95% CI ±0.092 pts
Reporting carriers only (DOT threshold); operating-carrier attribution.
In 2020, 9.5% of United flights arrived 15+ minutes late (n=308217 flights).
2020n=308217 flights
Reporting carriers only.
In 2019, 21.4% of United flights arrived 15+ minutes late (n=625910 flights).
2019n=625910 flights
Reporting carriers only.
In 2019, United cancelled 0.86% of its 625910 tracked flights (95% CI ±0.023 pts), ranking 13 of 16 carriers for cancellations.
2019n=625910 flights; binomial 95% CI ±0.023 pts
Reporting carriers only (DOT threshold); operating-carrier attribution.

Public attention

As of 2026-07, 36.9% of Google's own autocomplete suggestions about United are negative (41 of 111) — including "united airlines cancelled flight compensation".
2026-07census of returned suggestions at snapshot date
Suggestions vary by time and geography; editorial/research use with as-of date.
In 2024-01, United drew 2.41x its normal Wikipedia attention (213768 views) with press tone -1.396 across 11665 articles, while cancelling 8.01% of flights.
2024-01attention ratio vs airline's own median month
Tone from GDELT V2 (global English-language news).
In 2020-03, United drew 1.02x its normal Wikipedia attention (89862 views) with press tone -3.174 across 14036 articles, while cancelling 22.96% of flights.
2020-03attention ratio vs airline's own median month
Tone from GDELT V2 (global English-language news).
In 2017-04, United drew 5.05x its normal Wikipedia attention (447195 views) with press tone -3.037 across 53576 articles, while cancelling 0.07% of flights.
2017-04attention ratio vs airline's own median month
Tone from GDELT V2 (global English-language news).

Policy churn

The Internet Archive captured 7 distinct versions of United's tracked policy/fine-print pages in 2021 (3.5 versions per page).
2021distinct content digests (change ceiling incl. redesigns)
Digest changes include cosmetic redesigns, not only policy substance.
The Internet Archive captured 16 distinct versions of United's tracked policy/fine-print pages in 2020 (16.0 versions per page).
2020distinct content digests (change ceiling incl. redesigns)
Digest changes include cosmetic redesigns, not only policy substance.
The Internet Archive captured 39 distinct versions of United's tracked policy/fine-print pages in 2019 (39.0 versions per page).
2019distinct content digests (change ceiling incl. redesigns)
Digest changes include cosmetic redesigns, not only policy substance.
The Internet Archive captured 15 distinct versions of United's tracked policy/fine-print pages in 2018 (15.0 versions per page).
2018distinct content digests (change ceiling incl. redesigns)
Digest changes include cosmetic redesigns, not only policy substance.

Denied boarding

In 2021, United Air Lines Inc. involuntarily denied boarding to 50 passengers (0.008 per 10,000 boarded), paying $500 in compensation.
2021complete DOT-reported population

What this scorecard does not tell you

Cancellation and delay rates are not directly comparable between carriers. Route networks differ, and so does the weather they fly through.
An average delay figure is computed across delayed flights only, so a carrier that cancels its worst flights can look better on that measure. Read any delay average next to the cancellation rate.
Regional flights sold under this airline’s code may be operated by a different carrier. Since 2018 they are attributed to the marketing carrier, which is the code on your ticket.
These are counts and rates, not explanations. We have not tested why any figure moved.

Nothing here tells you what you are owed. That depends on the rule for your situation, which is on the passenger rights pages.

Row30 provides data journalism and education, not legal advice. We are not a law firm and do not represent passengers in legal proceedings. For advice about your own situation, consult an attorney.

Source: Google autocomplete suggestions as of 2026-07, collected and classified by Row30.

Source: Internet Archive Wayback Machine captures; analysis by Row30.

Source: Row30 Airline Report Card, computed from U.S. DOT BTS data (On-Time, Form 41, baggage, denied boarding).

Source: U.S. DOT Air Travel Consumer Report denied boarding data; analysis by Row30.

Source: U.S. DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics, Airline On-Time Performance; analysis by Row30.

Source: U.S. DOT Form 41 financials via Bureau of Transportation Statistics; analysis by Row30.

Sources: SEC EDGAR company filings; U.S. DOT BTS; analysis by Row30.

Sources: U.S. Senate LDA; U.S. DOT Form 41 + On-Time Performance via BTS; analysis by Row30.

Sources: U.S. Senate Lobbying Disclosure Act database; U.S. DOT Form 41 via BTS; analysis by Row30.

Sources: Wikimedia pageviews; GDELT Project; U.S. DOT BTS; analysis by Row30.