United Airlines System Upgrade Demands Passenger Action Before February 4 Outage.
Aviation News Editor & Industry Analyst delivering clear coverage for a worldwide audience.
United Airlines is undergoing a planned flight reservation system upgrade on February 4; online booking and check-in services will be temporarily unavailable.
Key Takeaways
- •United Airlines scheduled a 3.5-hour system blackout on February 4, from 2:30 a.m. to 6:00 a.m. ET.
- •Online booking, check-in, and flight change services will be unavailable during the maintenance window.
- •Passengers must complete check-in and print boarding passes prior to the outage to avoid anticipated longer waiting times at airports.
- •The upgrade involves relocating the booking system to a new Chicago data center for improving system reliability.
United Airlines announced a planned technology maintenance event. This upgrade will affect its core flight reservation system upgrade. The work is scheduled for February 4, 2026, between 2:30 a.m. and 6 a.m. ET. This is a critical move to improve system performance.
System Blackout Details
The maintenance window is set for a short period. It will run from 2:30 a.m. to 6:00 a.m. Eastern Time (ET). During this time, the airline expects a United Airlines system blackout. Many key passenger services will be unavailable.
The outage means online booking unavailable services will stop. Many of United's web and app services will be unavailable. This includes online booking, check-in, and flight changes. This is part of a major backend system relocation.
Passenger Action Required
Passengers must prepare for the February 4 maintenance window. The airline strongly advises completing all necessary actions early. This includes bookings, check-ins, or trip amendments. Travelers should download or print their boarding passes prior to the outage.
Flights will operate normally during the maintenance. However, travelers checking in at the airport face challenges. They should anticipate longer waiting times at counter desks. Airport agents will use manual processes. This is a common procedure during system outages.
Improving System Reliability
This planned technology maintenance is a strategic move. The airline is relocating booking system infrastructure. The upgrade involves relocating the booking system. It is moving from an older data center in North Carolina. The new home is a facility in Chicago.
The goal is improving system reliability and speed. The aim is to improve reliability. Major airline system upgrades are complex projects. Migrating a Passenger Service System (PSS) is a massive undertaking. Such moves are vital for better disaster recovery. They also ensure future scalability.
The PSS manages all aspects of the customer journey. It handles inventory, pricing, and departure control. The PSS is the backbone of modern airline operations. Its successful migration is crucial for the airline's future. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) oversees operational safety. They monitor all critical airline infrastructure.
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Written by Ujjwal Sukhwani
Aviation News Editor & Industry Analyst delivering clear coverage for a worldwide audience. Covers flight operations, safety regulations, and market trends with expert analysis.
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