10 April 2020: In an effort to help doctors, nurses and other medical professionals, United Airlines is working closely with the state of California to help the frontline fight against COVID-19. For this they have partnered with Governor Newsom to provide free, round-trip flights for medical volunteers traveling to California to help treat patients. Currently they have 50 daily flights into SFO and 13 daily flights at LAX. The airline plans to expand this program to critical areas within the coming days.
"I want to thank United Airlines for stepping in in a big way to help health care professionals. We couldn't be more grateful for their largesse and support," said California Governor Gavin Newsom
California currently has more than 18,309 confirmed coronavirus cases and 507 fatalities in the state to-date. Bringing medical volunteers to the state will help bring much needed support to California's medical professionals and the more than 2,825 individuals hospitalized, including the 1,132 people in intensive care.
"Our frontline healthcare workers are heroes. We are profoundly grateful to them for their unwavering commitment to support our communities and medical providers at this time of exceptional need," said Janet Lamkin, President, California for United Airlines. "It is our hope that providing air travel at no cost will allow additional courageous volunteers and first responders the ability to reach health care facilities throughout California, which continues to feel the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic."