U

United Airlines

Flies passengers and cargo worldwide from US hubs

General Manager - Airport Operations

Full-TimePosted on 10/15/2026
$102.2k - $133.2k+ Bonus + Long-term incentive compensation awards
Expert
Bachelor's
Sacramento, CA, USA
In PersonMust live in the vicinity of the airport. Travel required as needed.
Operations & Logistics
No H1B Sponsorship

About the job

Requirements
  • A high school diploma or equivalent is required.
  • At least 5 years of relevant leadership experience in an airport operations or services environment, or equivalent work experience, is required.
  • Knowledge of airport operations and related technology is required.
  • Knowledge of station controls and internal audit standards is required.
  • Knowledge of operational corporate policies and procedures is required.
  • The candidate must be able to work in a dynamic, fast-paced operational environment.
  • The candidate must be flexible to work all shifts and, when necessary, be available 7 days a week and 24 hours a day, including holidays and weekends, to address operational or unforeseen situations.
  • The candidate must live in the vicinity of the airport.
  • Travel is required as needed.
  • The candidate must have position-specific clearances, which may include FAA, TSA, Port Authority, U.S. Customs, and U.S. Postal Service clearances.
  • The candidate must be eligible to acquire and maintain credentials vital to the position.
  • The candidate must be legally authorized to work in the United States for any employer without sponsorship.
  • Successful completion of an interview is required to meet job qualifications.
  • Reliable, punctual attendance is an essential function of the position.
Responsibilities
  • Manage the day-to-day operational, financial, and personnel performance of the assigned domestic outstation.
  • Establish or implement goals and standards to maintain and control operational standards, service levels, costs, and safety requirements, including security checkpoint and GSC responsibilities.
  • Monitor performance against plans and initiate corrective actions to improve results.
  • Determine and justify equipment, facilities, staffing, and training needs to achieve station operations goals.
  • Participate as a team member in headquarters support organizations and coordinate responsibilities with other United operating departments.
  • Coordinate and provide functional guidance and supervision to contracted ground-handling agents.
  • Represent airport activities to federal, state, and city agencies, as well as the FAA.
  • Maintain a safe, clean, and reliable operation.
  • Lead a positive employee-relations work environment and collaborative relationships with applicable labor groups.
  • Lead station activities to ensure outstanding customer service across mainline, express, and partner airlines.
  • Maintain station facilities and equipment, and ensure professional appearance standards for United employees.
  • Manage performance and ongoing professional development of direct reports and dotted-line reports.
  • Ensure compliance with station controls and internal audit standards.
  • Lead the station budget, staffing forecasts, and resource requirements.
  • Maintain working relationships with other airlines, airport authorities, vendors, governmental authorities including FAA, TSA, and CBP, and internal divisions.
  • Lead vendor service contracts as required.
Desired Qualifications
  • A bachelor's degree or related experience is preferred.
  • Customer service and/or ramp experience is preferred.
  • Hub and line experience is preferred.
  • Knowledge of a union contract is preferred.
  • Understanding the capabilities and limitations of generative AI tools and using them effectively for research, analysis, content creation, and problem-solving is preferred.
  • Applying critical thinking to validate AI-generated outputs while adhering to company policies on responsible AI use, data privacy, and security is preferred.

About the company

United Airlines flies passengers and cargo across the United States and to destinations around the world, running a hub network that spans Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Newark, San Francisco, Washington Dulles and Guam. It was a founding member of Star Alliance, the global airline partnership that links its routes and frequent-flyer benefits with carriers such as Lufthansa and Air Canada. Travelers book seats in economy, premium and Polaris business cabins, and United earns money from fares, bag and seat fees, cargo, and its MileagePlus loyalty program, which sells miles to card partners. United traces its roots to Varney Air Lines, which began flying airmail in 1926, and is based in Chicago.

Company Size

10,001+

Company Stage

IPO

Headquarters

Chicago, Illinois

Founded

1926

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Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • Premium travel fuels growth: premium revenue rose 16% in Q2 2026 as total revenue reached $17.7 billion.
  • Hiring keeps expanding: United had 117,500 employees by June 2026, up 5.6% from a year earlier.
  • Cabin crew pay is climbing: the flight attendant deal reached in March 2026 lifts base pay 31% on average.

What critics are saying

  • Fuel prices squeeze profits: in July 2026, United expected nearly $6 billion more fuel expense for the year.
  • Mechanics' labor fight drags on: United technicians rejected a Teamsters tentative deal 53.5% to 46.5% in September 2026.
  • Newark growth was capped: the FAA limited the airport to 72 hourly flights from January through October 2026.

What makes United Airlines unique

  • United gives loyalty members free fast WiFi: it targets Starlink on nearly 1,000 aircraft by end of 2026.
  • Its Pacific reach extends past Hawaii: United runs a hub on Guam, a US island territory near Asia.
  • United dominates New York's Newark airport: it runs about 70% of the flights there.

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Benefits

  • Health Insurance
  • Dental Insurance
  • Vision Insurance
  • Life Insurance
  • Parental Leave
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • Commuter
  • Paid Holidays
  • Paid Time Off

Growth & Insights and Company News

Headcount

6 month growth

11%

1 year growth

11%

2 year growth

11%
PR Newswire
Sep 24th, 2026
United Airlines receives first GTF Advantage-powered A321XLR from RTX's Pratt & Whitney

United Airlines has received its first Airbus A321XLR aircraft powered by Pratt & Whitney's GTF Advantage engines, marking the inaugural delivery of this enhanced engine variant. The GTF Advantage offers up to twice the operational lifespan of current GTF engines and provides 4-8% more takeoff thrust, enabling extended range capabilities. The engine features an advanced hot section design and remains fully compatible with existing GTF models, simplifying fleet operations. Pratt & Whitney, an RTX business, plans to transition its entire PW1100G-JM production line to the Advantage specification by 2028. Current GTF operators will be able to access 90-95% of the Advantage's durability improvements through a Hot Section Plus upgrade option, available from early next year during scheduled maintenance visits.

Yahoo Finance
Sep 17th, 2026
DISH and United Airlines bring live football to 35,000 feet via Starlink screens

DISH and United Airlines have partnered to bring live football to passengers on Starlink-enabled flights. The service launches this week on over 200 United aircraft, expanding to nearly 700 planes by February 2027. Passengers will have access to nine live sports channels including ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, ESPN, ESPN2, FS1, NFL Network, and Prime Video's Thursday Night Football. The service covers both college and professional football games throughout the 2026–2027 season. The partnership uses DISH's OnStream platform, which delivers entertainment across multiple business sectors including hospitality, senior living, and aviation. The collaboration aims to keep sports fans connected to live games whilst travelling at 35,000 feet.

Yahoo Finance
Aug 27th, 2026
United trades at forward P/E of 11 as US airfares jump 25.5% and CEO predicts more rises

US airline fares rose 25.5% year over year in July, and United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby expects further gradual increases through the first half of 2027 if demand holds. United's second-quarter revenue reached $17.67 billion, up 16% year over year. Despite industry-wide fare growth, United shares have gained only 2.69% year to date, compared with Delta's 20.64% rise. United trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 11, versus Delta's 13. Kirby framed the fare increases as structural catch-up, noting airport fees have risen roughly 60% since COVID and maintenance costs remain elevated. He told investors that airfares are still 13% below 2019 levels in real terms.

Yahoo Finance
Aug 24th, 2026
United Airlines CEO targets JFK expansion and new international routes amid rising fuel costs

United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby announced plans to expand at New York's JFK Airport and increase international routes. The airline aims to acquire takeoff and landing slots from struggling carriers, potentially returning to JFK next year through its partnership with JetBlue Airways. United's second-quarter operating revenue rose 16% year over year to $17.7 billion, with revenue per available seat mile up 12.1%. The carrier raised its full-year adjusted earnings per share guidance to $9 to $11, despite expecting nearly $6 billion in additional fuel expenses for 2026. The expansion builds on United's existing network of more than 370 destinations across six continents. Shares closed at $113.17, down 18% from their June record high.

Ticker Report
Aug 19th, 2026
Wealthfront Advisers LLC Makes New $12.94 Million Investment in United Airlines Holdings Inc $UAL

Wealthfront Advisers LLC bought a new position in United Airlines Holdings Inc (NASDAQ:UAL – Free Report) in the 2nd quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The institutional investor bought 95,139 shares of the transportation company’s stock, valued at approximately $12,938,000. Other large investors have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Root Financial Partners LLC increased its […]