Who Is the President of United Airlines?

United Airlines is one of the oldest commercial airlines in the United States. As of 2010, the airline is planning to merge with Continental Airlines to become the world’s largest airline based on the number of revenue passenger miles.

As of 2010, John P. Tague is the president of United Airlines.  Prior to joining United, Tague served as President and Chief Executive Officer of ATA Holdings Corporation. At the time ATA was the 10th largest airline in the United States.

Tague served in the marketing and planning department of the company before becoming President in 1993. He has also held various positions for Midway airlines.

Tague joined United in 2003 and was named Executive Vice President of Marketing, Sales, and Revenue in May 2004. From 2006 to 2008 he served as Chief Revenue Officer and Executive Vice President. Tague has also served as United’s Chief Executive Officer. In July 2009 Tague was named President of United Airlines. 

Responsibilities of the President

John P. Tague’s responsibilities as President include all airline management functions including security, safety, maintenance, airport operations, flight operations, and customer service.

Additionally, he is responsible for marketing and customer relations. Tague continues his role as Executive Vice President and also serves on the executive council of the corporation.

Founding of United Airlines

United Airlines was founded in Boise, Idaho. The company then was called Varney Airlines, and the company was an air mail service of Walter Varney. Their first official contract flight occurred on April 6 in 1926. The flight was flown by Leon D. “Lee” Cuddeback.

United Airlines is considered the first true airline service. This means that it was the first airline to fly fixed routes, and to fly on fixed schedules. This idea behind Varney Airlines was monumental, and groundbreaking in aviation history.

In 1927, William Boeing formed his own airlines, the Boeing Air Transport. The Boeing Air Transport purchased other airmail carriers. One of the airmail carriers that the Boeing Air Transport purchased was the Varney Airlines.

The Boeing Air Transport expanded rapidly within the next couple of years, and the company soon had a number of airlines, airplanes, and airports. The company changed its name in 1929. The company changed the name from Boeing Air Transport to United Aircraft and Transport Corporation.

The company had grown to the point that it could accommodate passengers, as well as its usual mail route. The company made history by hiring the first stewardess in 1930. Her name was Ellen Church. In 1931, United Aircraft and Transport Corporation merged with the National Air Transport. On March 28, 1931, the corporation United Airlines was officially formed.

Early Years of United Airlines

The early routes of the airline connected different United States mail routes, and specifically ran routes from the east coast to the west coast. The planes would travel to New York from Chicago, and Salt Lake City to San Francisco. The early “hubs” in United Airlines were Chicago and San Francisco. As the company expanded, Denver and Washington, D.C. grew to be “hubs” of United Airlines as well.

One of the first major disasters for the airlines occurred in 1933. A United Boeing 247 exploded while it was in the middle of flying. The plane crashed close to Chesterton, Indiana. All seven passengers aboard died.

Although investigators initially thought that it was a mechanical problem, they soon discovered that there was a bomb aboard the plane. The bomb, a nitroglycerin bomb, was placed in the baggage hold. Unfortunately, the perpetrator behind the bomb was never discovered. The police were also unable to come up with a motive behind the bomb.

Today, United Airline executives like President John P. Tague continue to focus on passenger safety and airline security.