On Friday, United Airlines plans to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks by flying a Boeing 777 low over Denver while being escorted by fighter jets… reminiscent to what we saw on September 11, 2001. Guys, am I losing my mind, or is the airline? This can’t be serious, can it?
In this post:
Denver warns public of bizarre United 9/11 flyover plans
JonNYC flags how United plans to have a 9/11 commemoration in Denver, in the form of a Boeing 777 flying low over the city, being escorted by fighter jets. The display is scheduled for 9:03AM, coinciding exactly with the time at which terrorists flew United flight UA175 into the South Tower of the World Trade Center in New York City.
Denver’s Office of Emergency Management was reportedly notified of the United flyover last week, and has been warning emergency dispatchers and first responders. This is so that the public doesn’t panic about this display, so that 911 and 311 lines aren’t overwhelmed with calls from citizens concerned about a hijacked plane.
A Colorado Air National Guard spokesperson has said that the military jet approval is still being “reviewed at the state level.” Meanwhile a United spokesperson has said that similar flyovers aren’t planned in other cities, but clarified that this was planned at the request of United leadership in Denver, where the airline has a hub and training center.
9NEWS asked a United spokesperson if they had considered the public’s reaction to seeing a passenger plane escorted by fighter jets on 9/11, to which they responded that the flyover is part of a private remembrance ceremony for United employees, and that it’s not open to the public — “we are doing this for United employees and personnel.”
The spokesperson declined to answer questions about how close the flyover would come to high rise buildings in downtown, noting that the path could change due to “weather or lots of things.”
The press release from the airline explains that the United Boeing 777 will be “followed by four F-16s in formation from the 120th Fighter Squadron.” The plan is for the 777 to take off from Denver Airport at 8:15AM, along with the fighter jets, and then fly over United’s flight training center, roughly 13 miles away, at 9:03AM. All planes are supposed to land within 75 minutes, by 9:30AM.
Who approved this plan, or am I the only one who is confused?
Guys, I realize we all grieve and process things differently, but are there a lot of people out there who truly don’t find this to be insanely tone deaf? Like, what am I missing here?
I’d like to think I usually see things from both sides (to a fault), but commemorating hijackings by flying a plane low over the ground while being escorted by fighter jets seems… not good? I would type other words to describe this, but I try to keep this site G-rated.
In the future are we going to commemorate the anniversary of the Amazon Air crash here in Miami by flying a Boeing 767 low over some cars? I’m not at all trying to be humorous about the terrible tragedy we just had, but this strikes me as being equally absurd, which is why I think it’s a point that’s important to make.
Then when asked if the airline had thought of the public’s reaction, United’s response is basically along the lines of “well we’re not doing it for the public, we’re doing it for us.” Really, that’s the excuse?
It just seems like commemorating one of the darkest days in America by doing something reminiscent of what happened on that day isn’t a great idea. Was this planned by an intern who wasn’t around to witness 9/11? Or what AI tool did United use to plan this event without human oversight? I think if you’re organizing something that requires the city to warn people not to call 911, maybe you should think twice about it?
For what it’s worth, I just asked a friend who is a captain at United about this, and his response was short — “WTF.”
Bottom line
While it’s good to commemorate the tragedy of September 11, 2001, United Airlines is going about it in a very strange way. The airline plans to fly a Boeing 777 low over the ground, while being escorted by fighter jets. I just can’t make sense of this, and it strikes me as being insanely tone deaf.
The city is having to warn citizens not to call 911 or 311 if they see this display. And when the airline was asked if they were worried about the impact this has on others, they said the display isn’t for others, but is for United employees.
I simply have no words here…
What do you make of United’s 9/11 commemoration plans?
According to the New York Times, this has now been cancelled.
‘The community response in Denver this week was swift. Some on social media called the flyover “insane,” “disgusting” and “insensitive.”
In a statement, United Airlines said it now planned to commemorate the 25th anniversary of 9/11 with events at United’s Flight Training Center in Denver, including the unveiling of a monument made from steel recovered from the World Trade Center “to honor the...
According to the New York Times, this has now been cancelled.
‘The community response in Denver this week was swift. Some on social media called the flyover “insane,” “disgusting” and “insensitive.”
In a statement, United Airlines said it now planned to commemorate the 25th anniversary of 9/11 with events at United’s Flight Training Center in Denver, including the unveiling of a monument made from steel recovered from the World Trade Center “to honor the United Airlines crew members aboard Flight 175 and Flight 93.”’
Like the episode of "Family Guy" illustrates, You want to win elections? Keep mentioning 9/11 in every sentence, you will be elected for sure!
STOP with all this stupidity! All this is BEYOND insulting!
Why can't people just commemorate with silence?! Not everything has to be a PR push for fucks sake!
my local radio station “commemorated” the 1 yr anniversary of 9/11 by replaying an hour of their broadcast.
It was halfway through when I got in my car. I cannot imagine seeing this formation overhead.
9/11 and Memorial Day are not to be celebrated. They are to be remembered and not forgotten.
Who would celebrate Pearl Harbor Day?!
This proves we live in a snowflake generation.
Servicemembers who got shot KIA still gets a 3 volley salute.
Snowflakes not consider that reminisce of being KIA?
Or pilots that never came home receives a missing man formation fly over.
Snowflakes not consider that reminisce of a plane literally missing in combat?
All UA needed to do was having the planes discharge red white and blue smoke trails and it's OK like memorial...
This proves we live in a snowflake generation.
Servicemembers who got shot KIA still gets a 3 volley salute.
Snowflakes not consider that reminisce of being KIA?
Or pilots that never came home receives a missing man formation fly over.
Snowflakes not consider that reminisce of a plane literally missing in combat?
All UA needed to do was having the planes discharge red white and blue smoke trails and it's OK like memorial day or stadium fly over?
Even Airlink who got proper approval still attracted snowflakes.
Good for UA for being the bigger person here. I hope this is creates a deescalation culture at UA. I've had enough of crew and gate agents on a power trip.
No. Bad ideas are bad ideas, and they should be called out for being bad ideas. Legitimate criticism does not mean anything "snowflake" one way or the other, in fact, it takes confidence and certainty to take a stand sometimes.
Yes. This will for sure make gate agents nicer.
There's a huge difference between four military jets flying a missing man formation over somewhere that expects it, or a three volley salute at a funeral or other memorial, and flying a jumbo jet low and slow over a heavily populated area on the anniversary of the use of similar planes to undertake terrorist attacks.
In case you weren’t aware, it’s not mandatory to use the word “snowflake” to signal when you’re about to say something stupid. I know it happens a lot, but it’s not a requirement.
You know I kind of get it. And it would not bother me because I lived through that terrible time. The silence in DC cannot be forgotten. However recreating this might be more welcome over The Flight 93 Memorial. It is a spiritual place and I hope you visit.
Seems like you're not too far away.
You should visit Gettysburg and Antietam reenactment.
Before the snowflakes cancels it.
Maybe soon we have to lock up every British on 4th of July. No wonder Harry and Meghan left. They're on to something we don't know yet.
It's been called off. Insane that it was ever considered!
Thank God, United cancelled this stupid idea
I'd rather 'thank' who ever at United pulled the plug on this (like an actual person did likely have to put their foot down, here. Good on them, whoever they are.) It is pleasantly surprising when an American corporation actually sorta kinda listens to the so-called "concerns in the community."
This is clearly to satisfy the trump whitehouse and kirby promised this to get favors.
What a bizzare way of celebrating 9/11.
Anyone else reminded of Tank Day?
Proves my point, that United is ready to anything and everything for its DEN hub except build a Polaris Lounge.
Many loved ones died this day. United you’re F*cking Stupid. Honor your pilots and employees that lost their lives this day by quietly amongst your company you do not need advertisement. Corporate Executives how can you even have this done though you decided to cancel at the end. Stupid commemorating lost lives to many Americans and non-Americans.
lol they cancelled it
If you lived it as a New Yorker, and lost people close to you, as I did, that seems like an appropriate, but rather shocking, way to commemorate it. It was the worst day of my life…important to remember exactly what happened and why, and what that felt like. But personally, I don’t want to remember…so I try to be flying or overseas every 9/11.
Perhaps it's a way to celebrate that we've survived, and that United is once again thriving? Not sure why else it would be considered.
Why? WTF is wrong with people?
Here’s an idea, let’s commemorate the war of 1812 by burning down the white house.
Oof!!!!!
Well played.
"i'm pleased to announce that to commemorate Lockerbie, we will be--" [dragged off stage by shepherd hook]
Terrible idea, but this was already cancelled by the time you posted this article so you should probably update it. United said they cancelled it due to "concerns of the community" - bad idea but good on them for listening and acting.
No matter how hard comics try to write jokes, corporate execs will always have them beat
As described, this is messed up. However, if they were to do a fly-by in V formation with 'the missing member' empty slot in the formation that is a salute air forces do for downed planes it might make more sense.
What a weird idea.
“but I try to keep this site G-rated”
That’s understandable, but I don’t think anyone will hold it against you if you called this “fucking stupid”. Because it is.
And yet still an understatement. I’m truly baffled
'Yowzers!'
This is super weird