United to Cut U.S. Flight Capacity

UAL Corp.’s United Airlines said Friday that it would reduce its U.S. flight capacity by 14% after the busy holiday season, including cutbacks at Los Angeles International Airport, and add international flights to focus on more profitable routes.

The schedule changes take effect Jan. 6 and will result in a net decrease of 3% to overall flight capacity at the world’s No. 2 carrier, which continues to lose money after two years under bankruptcy protection.

United said the moves also would reduce the size of its mainline fleet as a result of increased reliance on United Express service -- smaller jets operated by its regional partners -- on some routes.

The U.S. flights being eliminated fly out of United’s five hubs at Chicago’s O’Hare airport, Denver, San Francisco, Los Angeles and Washington Dulles in northern Virginia.

United did not specify which international routes it intended to expand.