Chicago-based 
United Airlines
will be downsizing its seat capacity to London next Spring. The changes affect flights originating from its hubs in Los Angeles and Washington DC.
It comes as the carrier announced last week that it will add eight new destinations to its route network as part of its largest-ever international expansion. Three of the eight routes will originate from Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)
.
Springtime reductions
Independent aviation blog Ishrion Aviation shared on Friday that United will be cutting two daily flights to London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
. From Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
, the carrier had originally scheduled two daily frequencies beginning in April 2025.
Photo: Vincenzo Pace | Simple Flying
However, it has since updated its flight schedule to only one daily flight, according to aviation data and analytics provider Cirium. Three daily flights from IAD were initially planned, but now only two daily frequencies are scheduled.
LAX-LHR operation
United currently operates the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner
twice daily between LAX and LHR. This month, the carrier has a total of 92 flights scheduled on the route, offering over 23,600 seats. Beginning next month, the carrier will only offer one flight per day – an adjustment that was already planned. As such, November’s operation will see 60 flights, with just over 15,400 seats. One daily frequency was previously scheduled through March, but it will now continue indefinitely.
American Airlines
, 
British Airways
, and Virgin Atlantic
compete with United on the route. American deploys a mixture of 777-200ERs and 777-300ERs, but has also planned to reduce its frequencies between LAX and LHR, thanks to its partnership with British Airways, which utilizes the Airbus A380, 777-200ER, and 777-300ER.
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Delta Air Lines
formerly offered nonstop service between LAX and LHR, but pulled the route earlier this year, as it was confident in its partner Virgin’s operation. The airline deploys the A350-1000 and 787-9 on the route.
IAD-LHR operation
United deploys the 767-300ER and 777-200ER between IAD and LHR. This month, the carrier has 124 flights scheduled, offering 32,807 seats. The 777-200ER will be primarily used, operating 111 flights. The 767-300ER will handle the remaining 13 frequencies. Similar to LAX-LHR, British Airways and Virgin also fly daily on the route. United beats out British Airways by only two frequencies this month, as the UK flag carrier has 122 frequencies scheduled. The airline will use the A380, A350-1000, 777, 787-9, and 787-10 on the route. Virgin will operate 62 flights
this month on the 787-9.
Photo: Angel DiBilio | Shutterstock
Next month, United will utilize both aircraft types equally, operating 60 flights each. December will see the same schedule, except they will handle 62 flights each due to the extra day in the month. January’s operation will be identical to December’s, with a total of 124 flights. The 767-300ER will be utilized on the route through February of next year. In March, United will exclusively use the 777-200ER between IAD and LHR.
Simple Flying reached out to United on Sunday to learn the reasoning behind its adjustment to its LAX-LHR and IAD-LHR frequencies. The carrier did not respond to requests for comment.
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