United Airlines has issued a clarification after a leaked internal memo suggested passengers unhappy with the newly renamed President Donald J Trump International Airport could switch to an alternative flight free of charge. The airline has since stated that the guidance was inaccurate and does not reflect company policy.
A spokesperson for United told the Daily Mail that while customers can change tickets without a fee for various reasons, the policy does not allow for changes based on an airport's name or its three-letter code. The memo, which was reportedly circulated to reservation agents, had suggested offering alternative flights to Fort Lauderdale or Miami for passengers who did not wish to fly into the South Florida airport, formerly Palm Beach International Airport. It also included suggested phrasing for agents to use with customers.
The airport was officially renamed President Donald J Trump International Airport this month, following a new Florida law. This marks the first time a commercial airport has been named after a sitting U.S. president. While the airport's familiar PBI code is currently in use, it is expected to transition to DJT and appear on boarding passes starting August 18.
The renaming has drawn criticism, with some travelers expressing dissatisfaction. Reports indicate the airport received numerous complaints after adding a disclaimer to its online contact form acknowledging that the new name might be perceived differently by passengers. The controversy gained traction on social media, sparking discussions about whether airlines should accommodate passenger objections to politically charged airport names. United's swift denial of the leaked memo's suggested policy aimed to quell the backlash and clarify its official stance.