U

United Airlines

Global airline for passengers and cargo

Zone/Gate Control Manager

Full-TimeUpdated on 10/1/2026
$79.4k - $97.1k/yr+ Bonus + Long-term incentive compensation awards
Junior
Bachelor's
San Francisco, CA, USA
In Person
No H1B Sponsorship

About the job

Requirements
  • A Bachelor's degree or four years of relevant work experience.
  • At least two years of airline management experience.
  • A proven track record of decisive action backed by strategic planning, continuous improvement, analytical thinking, goal-directed leadership, and service-oriented performance.
  • Ability to lead peers and other leaders using a philosophy focused on Safety, Caring, Dependability, and Efficiency to reach the best outcomes for the airline.
  • Ability to consistently manage controlled and uncontrolled environments while making informed strategic and tactical decisions.
  • Strong interest in and desire to develop training skills and knowledge.
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage and connect with diverse learners.
  • Organization and attention to detail, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities.
  • Legal authorization to work in the United States for any employer without sponsorship.
  • Successful completion of an interview to meet job qualifications.
  • Reliable, punctual attendance as an essential function of the position.
Responsibilities
  • Serve as the primary management control oversight for gate planning, daily schedule integrity, and flight process activities while ensuring local station requirements and United's core4 principles are upheld.
  • Function interchangeably as a planner overseeing the hub gating plan and as a flight process overseer and problem solver within an area of responsibility covering approximately 10–20 gates.
  • Complete preplanning before shifts and banks and ensure readiness for gates, crews, maintenance, weather and air traffic control, and staffing.
  • Monitor flight activities within the assigned pod, including pre-arrival, arrival, ground-servicing, and departure activities, identify exceptions and process failures, and engage team members to resolve operational challenges.
  • Create hub gating plans that meet operational, customer, and employee needs and adapt them to dynamic changes in the operational environment.
  • Maintain situational awareness of events that may affect gating and parking plans.
  • Make tactical decisions and escalate significant operational challenges to the SOC shift manager.
  • Provide ongoing strategic gate-planning communication and operational updates to departments, service partners, and external agencies.
  • Serve as the primary liaison with NOC Dispatch and Operations Managers regarding real-time hub-schedule updates and notable flight-level events.
  • Work with stakeholders to ensure accurate flight-following information is maintained.
  • Support the station safety culture through strategic communication and engagement.
  • Coordinate analysis and communication of field conditions during irregular operations.
  • Partner with the local station and Network Planning to develop future flight schedules.
Desired Qualifications
  • A Bachelor's degree.
  • Extensive knowledge of operations, management, and logistics.
  • At least one year of project leadership experience.
  • Experience in schedule design and schedule planning.
  • Experience working with operational programs such as Inform Real Time Stands, Unimatic, IOM, and similar programs.
  • Project management.
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills.
  • Ability to adapt to shifting priorities, demands, and timelines through analytical and problem-solving capabilities.

About the company

United Airlines is a large American airline that moves people and cargo around the world. Its main product is airline travel—selling tickets for trips and offering extras like baggage handling and in-flight purchases, plus shipping cargo. The service works by operating a big network of international and domestic flights, using aircraft and crews to transport passengers and freight between destinations. The company focuses on running flights efficiently, improving the passenger experience, and pursuing environmental initiatives to reduce its impact. It differentiates itself through a global route network, scale, and a mix of passenger and cargo services, along with a commitment to responsible operations. The goal is to provide reliable, safe, and sustainable air travel for individuals and businesses while growing revenue from tickets, add-ons, and cargo.

Company Size

10,001+

Company Stage

IPO

Headquarters

Chicago, Illinois

Founded

1926

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Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • Q2 2026 revenue rose 16% to $17.67 billion; management raised full-year EPS guidance.
  • Starlink flights doubled customer satisfaction, and WiFi scores hit their highest since 2023.
  • DISH live football on Starlink screens launched September 2026 across 200-plus aircraft.

What critics are saying

  • FAA proposed a $255,000 fine July 16, 2026 for re-hiring a drug-violating flight attendant.
  • NTSB is investigating the May 3 Newark pole strike; damage was substantial.
  • Repeated Newark safety failures force FAA restrictions, crippling United's Northeast hub strategy.

What makes United Airlines unique

  • United's Starlink rolls across 450 aircraft, with whole-fleet coverage targeted by end-2027.
  • United's 2026 network expansion adds 10 international cities, its largest schedule build ever.
  • A321XLRs with GTF Advantage let United reach smaller Europe markets from 2026.

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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 […]