United Airlines Denies Free Rebooking Policy for Trump-Renamed Airport

United Airlines has officially denied implementing a policy allowing passengers free ticket swaps to avoid the newly renamed President Donald J. Trump International Airport (DJT) in West Palm Beach, Fla. The denial came after an internal memo leaked, appearing to instruct reservation agents to offer "even exchanges" to alternative airports for customers objecting to the airport's new branding.

According to reports from Fox Business and CBS12, the memo directed staff to use their "empowerment" to offer alternatives — including Miami International Airport (MIA) or Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) — without charging fare differences. The guidance reportedly included a suggested script for agents: "I understand that you'd rather not fly to this airport anymore."

In a statement to media, United called the internal message "poorly worded and not accurate." A company spokesperson clarified that while passengers may change tickets without fees under various qualifying circumstances, "our policy doesn't allow for changes because of an airport's name or three-letter code." The controversy coincides with Palm Beach International Airport's ongoing rebranding to DJT, a transition expected to be fully completed by Aug. 18, 2026. Industry observers note that gate agents and reservation staff routinely retain discretionary authority to assist customers under broader flexible-change frameworks, leaving some ambiguity about how the policy is applied in practice.