United says travel demand "essentially at zero shows no sign of improving in the near term"

[Demovictory9]

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-united-arlns/united-cuts-may-flights-by-90-tells-employees-to-brace-for-job-cuts-idUSKCN21Y04Q

(Reuters) - United Airlines Holdings Inc (UAL.O) said on Wednesday that it has cut its flight schedule by 90% in May and expects similar cuts for June as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, and warned that travel demand that is now “essentially at zero shows no sign of improving in the near term,” making job cuts likely.

United disclosed its outlook in a memo to employees that it publicly released. The memo was from Chief Executive Oscar Munoz and President Scott Kirby.

Like other U.S. airlines, travel demand for Chicago-based United has cratered as most U.S. states have ordered residents to stay at home in order to contain spread of the coronavirus.

United said it flew less than 200,000 people in the first two weeks of April, a 97% drop from the more than 6 million people it flew during the same time in 2019. It expects to fly fewer people during the entire month of May than it did on a single day in May of last year, Munoz and Kirby said.

[dalton99a]

1. Social distancing is rather difficult on an airplane

unless it's 2/3 empty

[Submariner]

2. When New Zealand opens up for tourists

I've been thinking that might be a great time to cash in my freq flyer miles for upgraded flights on maybe some near empty planes.

Just another of my many empty thoughts and dreams associated with severe Cabin Fever that I'm beginning to feel 'strongly'.