United Airlines announced today it will not implement the $100 fee it planned to charge U.S. customers to stand by for earlier or later flights the same day. This applies to both United and United Express.

The same-day standby fee policy was announced in September and was scheduled to take effect Jan. 1, 2003.

In announcing the revised policy, Chris Bowers, senior vice president - marketing and sales, said, “We have been listening to our customers,  and we agree with them that their travel experience should be simpler and easier. This will give our customers the flexibility to stand by for an earlier or later flight on the same day without incurring an additional expense.” The normal fees and charges still apply for customers seeking a confirmed seat.

Bowers noted that United, the world’s second largest carrier, continues to operate its full schedule of nearly 1,800 flights a day in a global network linking 117 cities in 26 counties and two U.S. territories. United has offered its customers outstanding on-time performance all year long and ranked first in the U.S. Department of Transportation Air Travel Consumer Report for on-time performance in October announced earlier this month.

He also reiterated that United’s award-winning Mileage Plus frequent flier program will continue delivering its valued benefits to more than 40 million participants worldwide.

News releases and other information about United Airlines can be found at the company’s website, www.united.com.

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