20 Remarkable United Airlines Statistics [2026]: Passengers, Revenue, And United Airlines Facts

Research Summary. In the wake of the 2020 pandemic, the airline industry, including United Airlines, faced unprecedented challenges. However, as one of the leading airlines in the United States, United has made significant strides in its recovery and growth. Based on our updated research, here are some compelling facts about United Airlines:

• United Airlines had 69.4 million passengers in 2021.

• As of 2023, United Airlines employs 92,795 individuals.

• United Airlines operates a fleet of 866 aircraft.

• For the year 2022, United Airlines reported an annual revenue of $44.95 billion.

• During the Thanksgiving travel period in 2022, United Airlines carried 5.5 million passengers.

For further analysis, we broke down the data in the following ways:
Flights and Destinations | Passengers | Company Stats | Trends

United Airlines Statistics by Flights and Destinations

Like many U.S. airlines, United Airlines generates substantial revenue from both domestic and international flights. Here are some noteworthy facts about United Airlines’ flight operations:

• United Airlines serves over 330 domestic and international destinations.

  With 210 destinations in the U.S. and 120 internationally, United ensures that travelers can reach major cities across the United States and many countries worldwide.

  Popular destinations include Boston, Denver, Fort Lauderdale, Honolulu, Houston, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Newark, New York, Orlando, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, and Washington, D.C.

• United Airlines operates in 74 countries.

  Key international destinations include Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), Brussels (Belgium), and Rome (Italy). United Airlines covers most regions in Europe, Asia, and South America, with some gaps in Africa.

• United Airlines conducts an average of 4,900 flights per day.

  These flights span five to six continents and land in up to 362 airports, marking a robust recovery since 2021, when the daily average was around 3,500 flights.

• Approximately 80% of United Airlines flights arrive on time.

  In recent years, about 19.3% of United Airlines flights experienced delays, while only 0.9% were canceled, indicating a relatively stable operational performance.

United Airlines Statistics by Passengers

United Airlines’ extensive flight schedule is supported by a diverse passenger base, including business travelers and vacationing families. Our updated research reveals:

• United Airlines’ passenger load factor is 87.3% as of 2022.

  This marks a significant recovery from the 60.2% occupancy in 2020 due to pandemic-related restrictions, representing the highest load factor in several years, surpassing analyst expectations.

  United Airlines’ Passenger Load Factor Each Year

  Year	Passenger Load Factor
  2022	87.3%
  2021	72.2%
  2020	60.2%
  2019	84.0%
  2018	83.6%
  2017	82.4%
  2016	82.9%
  2015	83.4%
  2014	83.6%
  2013	83.8%
  2012	82.9%
  2011	82.8%

• United Airlines has over 100 million loyalty program members.

  The airline’s loyalty program, valued at $20 billion, generates approximately $5.3 billion in cash flow. The program offers four tiers: Premier Silver, Premier Gold, Premier Platinum, and Premier 1K, each with distinct benefits.

• United Airlines recorded 3.2 billion cargo revenue ton-miles in 2021.

  This figure represents around 7% of the total cargo revenue ton-miles across all U.S. commercial airlines, highlighting United’s significant role in the cargo transport sector.

United Airlines Company Statistics

United Airlines is a major player in the U.S. airline industry. Here’s how it stands compared to its competitors:

• United Airlines holds a 12.9% market share in domestic flights.

  This positions United as the fourth largest airline in the United States, trailing behind American Airlines (19.5%), Southwest Airlines (17.4%), and Delta Air Lines (16.3%).

  

• As of 2023, United Airlines has a net worth of $13.53 billion.

  Following a significant decline to $6.09 billion in March 2020, United has gradually recovered but remains below its pre-pandemic net worth of $24.18 billion from 2019.

• United Airlines is currently ranked 200 on the Fortune 500 list.

  This ranking reflects a drop from its position as 76 in 2019, illustrating the impact of the pandemic on its market standing.

United Airlines Trends

Despite the challenges faced during the pandemic, United Airlines has remained operational and resilient. Here are some key trends based on our latest research:

• From 2019 to 2020, United Airlines’ passenger load factor decreased by 28.3%.

• United Airlines recorded 69.4 million passengers in 2021, divided into 58.8 million domestic and 10.6 million international travelers.

  Total Number of Domestic and International Passengers for United Airlines (2002-2022)

  Year	Domestic	International	Total
  2022	N/A	N/A	N/A
  2021	58.8M	10.6M	69.4M
  2020	29.9M	7.9M	37.8M
  2019	87.4M	28.7M	116.2M
  2018	85.9M	27.2M	113.1M
  2017	80.4M	26.6M	107.0M
  2016	73.8M	25.9M	99.8M
  2015	69.2M	25.7M	94.9M
  2014	64.6M	25.2M	89.9M
  2013	65.1M	24.2M	89.3M
  2012	67.5M	23.9M	91.5M
  2011	39.5M	10.1M	49.6M
  2010	43.3M	9.7M	53.0M
  2009	45.6M	9.5M	55.1M
  2008	51.6M	11.6M	62.3M
  2007	56.4M	11.0M	67.4M
  2006	57.2M	10.8M	67.9M
  2005	55.1M	10.3M	65.5M
  2004	60.1M	9.5M	69.5M
  2003	56.3M	8.5M	64.8M
  2002	57.8M	9.5M	67.3M

• Over the past two years, United Airlines’ passenger numbers rebounded significantly, with a 67.5% decline in 2020 followed by an 83.6% increase from 2020 to 2021.

• From 2011 to 2021, United Airlines’ revenue experienced a decrease of 33.6% (from $37.1 billion to $24.63 billion).

• United Airlines’ net income fell from a positive $3 million in 2019 to a negative $7.07 million in 2020.

United Airlines’ Net Income (2009-2022)

United Airlines Statistics FAQ

1. How many people fly with United Airlines each year?

   As of 2021, 69.4 million people flew on United Airlines flights (58.8 million domestic and 10.6 million international travelers). Pre-pandemic, this number consistently exceeded 100 million annually but saw a steep decline in 2020.

   Between 2019 and 2020, United Airlines passengers fell by 67.5%, from 116.2 million to 37.1 million. While recovery has begun, passenger numbers in 2021 were still about half of 2019 levels.

2. Is United Airlines the most popular airline in the United States?

   No, United Airlines is not the most popular airline in the U.S. It ranks fourth in domestic flight market share, following American Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and Delta Air Lines.

   Delta has consistently ranked as the top airline in recent years, excelling in customer service, flexibility with flight changes, and overall passenger experience.

3. How many people work for United Airlines?

   Currently, United Airlines employs 92,795 individuals. The workforce saw a 22.5% decline in 2020 due to the pandemic, dropping from approximately 96,000 to 74,400. However, a 13% increase from 2020 to 2021 reflects positive recovery trends.

   

4. How much is United Airlines worth?

   United Airlines currently has a net worth of $13.53 billion. While this marks a recovery from 2020’s low of $6.09 billion, it is still significantly below the 2019 net worth of $24.18 billion, indicating ongoing challenges.

5. How many aircraft does United Airlines have?

   United Airlines has approximately 866 total aircraft. The fleet includes popular models such as the Boeing 737-800 (140+), Boeing 737-900ER (135+), and Airbus A319-100 (100+), among others.

6. What is United Airlines’ annual revenue?

   United Airlines’ annual revenue in 2022 was $44.95 billion. From 2011 to 2021, the airline’s revenue decreased by 33.6% (from $37.1 billion to $24.63 billion), with the lowest revenue in 2020 at $15.35 billion, less than half of what it earned a decade prior.

   United Airlines Annual Revenue (2009-2022)

   Year	Annual Revenue
   2022	$44.95B
   2021	$24.6B
   2020	$15.4B
   2019	$43.3B
   2018	$41.3B
   2017	$37.8B
   2016	$36.6B
   2015	$37.9B
   2014	$38.9B
   2013	$38.3B
   2012	$37.1B
   2011	$37.1B
   2010	$23.3B
   2009	$16.3B

Conclusion

While United Airlines is not the largest airline in the U.S., it remains one of the top five major carriers. The airline faced significant challenges during the pandemic, with revenue plummeting by 33.6% and passenger numbers decreasing by 67.5% between 2019 and 2020.

Nonetheless, United Airlines has shown resilience in its recovery efforts. As of 2023, the airline’s net worth stands at $13.53 billion, more than double its 2020 low of $6.09 billion. Positive trends in passenger numbers, revenue, and operational efficiency signal a gradual return to pre-pandemic levels, though challenges remain as the industry continues to adapt.

Sources:

1. Macrotrends. “United Airlines Holdings Inc Revenue 2010-2021 | UAL.” Accessed on April 20th, 2022.

2. United. “About United.” Accessed on April 20th, 2022.

3. United. “Popular travel destinations.” Accessed on April 20th, 2022.

4. Airport Parking Reservations. “United Airlines Flight Status.” Accessed on April 21st, 2022.

5. Statista. “United Airlines’ passenger load factor from FY 2011 to FY 2021.” Accessed on April 21st, 2022.

6. Reuters. “United Airlines pledges loyalty program for $5 billion loan.” Accessed on April 21st, 2022.

7. Statista. “United Airlines’ cargo ton miles from FY 2011 to FY 2021.” Accessed on April 21st, 2022.

8. Statista. “Domestic market share of leading U.S. airlines from January to December 2021*.” Accessed on April 21st, 2022.

9. Fortune. “United Airlines Holdings.” Accessed on April 21st, 2022.

10. BTS. “Passengers United Air Lines – All Airports.” Accessed on April 21st, 2022.

11. Macrotrends. “United Airlines Holdings Inc Net Worth 2010-2023 | UAL.” Accessed on March 26th, 2023.

12. Macrotrends. “United Airlines Holdings Inc: Number of Employees 2010-2022 | UAL.” Accessed on March 26th, 2023.

13. Macrotrends. “United Airlines Holdings Inc Net Income 2010-2022 | UAL.” Accessed on March 26th, 2023.

14. Investopedia. UAL Load Factor Hits Multi-Year Highs. Accessed on March 26th, 2023.

Author

Jack Flynn

Jack Flynn is a writer for Zippia. In his professional career he’s written over 100 research papers, articles and blog posts. Some of his most popular published works include his writing about economic terms and research into job classifications. Jack received his BS from Hampshire College.