United Airlines on July 17, 2026 rejected reports that it was offering free flight changes for passengers objecting to the renamed President Donald J. Trump International Airport, saying the leaked guidance was “poorly written” and inaccurate. The airline said its policy does not allow fee-free changes solely because of an airport’s name or three-letter code, even after the renaming took effect on July 9, 2026.
- United told USA TODAY on July 17, 2026 that the internal memo was “poorly written” and did not reflect company policy on rebooking travelers upset by the airport’s new name.
- The airline said, “policy doesn’t allow for changes because of an airport’s name or three-letter code”, directly rejecting claims that passengers could switch flights free of charge for that reason.
- The leaked memo, published on July 16, 2026 by Live And Let’s Fly, reportedly told agents to “use your empowerment to offer acceptable alternatives such as Fort Lauderdale or Miami” if a customer objected to the renamed airport.
- The airport name change to President Donald J. Trump International Airport became official on July 9, 2026, after Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the legislation earlier this year.
- United Airlines agents can waive change fees for passengers avoiding the renamed West Palm Beach airport.
- Travelers may rebook flights to Fort Lauderdale or Miami without paying any additional fare difference.
- The airport officially changed its FAA identifier to D-J-T on July ninth, twenty twenty-six.
United Airlines is reportedly offering free flight changes to passengers who would rather avoid President Donald J. Trump International Airport. Reservation agents can move existing bookings to Fort Lauderdale or Miami without charging a fare difference or change fee.
Free toolB1/B2 Tourist Visa Stay Calculator onlineThe option applies to travelers booked to or from the renamed West Palm Beach airport. Agents can make the change without supervisor approval, according to an internal memo.
The airport adopted its new name on July 9, 2026. Its FAA locational identifier changed from PBI to DJT that day, while the passenger-facing IATA code is scheduled to remain PBI until August 18, 2026.
United’s reported arrangement is handled by reservation staff. It is not currently automated through the airline’s public website or app.
Travelers must contact a representative directly. The alternatives named in the memo are Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, FLL, and Miami International Airport, MIA.
“I understand that you’d rather not fly to this airport anymore. We can look at nearby airports like Fort Lauderdale or Miami instead. Is that an acceptable alternative?”
The script instructs agents to present the nearby airports as acceptable alternatives when a customer objects to the renamed facility. The memo gives staff discretion to arrange “even exchanges.”
United’s reported waiver covers fare differences and change fees
The arrangement allows existing passengers to switch airports without paying a fare difference or change fee. It covers travelers who want to avoid flying into or out of the renamed airport.
The instruction does not describe a new self-service feature. A phone representative or another direct contact with the airline is generally required.
Passengers considering a change should confirm the replacement airport before accepting the revised itinerary. The two alternatives listed in the memo are FLL and MIA.
The airport’s name change has not altered its scheduled service. The Palm Beach County Department of Airports says airline operations, routes, schedules and customer services will continue unchanged while the transition proceeds in phases.
PBI and DJT will coexist during the airport’s phased rebrand
The airport’s operational and passenger codes are moving on different schedules. The FAA identifier changed to DJT on July 9, while the IATA passenger code is set to change from PBI to DJT on August 18, 2026.
| Airport detail | Status |
|---|---|
| Former name | Palm Beach International Airport |
| New name | President Donald J. Trump International Airport |
| FAA locational identifier | DJT from July 9, 2026 |
| Passenger IATA code | PBI until August 18, 2026; scheduled to become DJT afterward |
| Estimated renaming cost | Approximately $5.5 million |
| Florida appropriation | $2.75 million |
Pilots and air traffic controllers are already using DJT for flight plans. Passengers continue to encounter PBI in passenger systems during the remaining transition period.
Airport officials say the work will appear gradually inside the terminal. A July 9 statement said:
“Because an entire airport transformation doesn’t happen overnight, you’ll notice a combination of both our classic look and our new brand elements coexisting while traveling through the terminal over the next several weeks.”
The airport estimates the overall implementation cost at approximately $5.5 million. The State of Florida appropriated $2.75 million toward the project.
Florida law gave the state control over the airport’s name
Governor Ron DeSantis signed House Bill 919 on March 30, 2026. The measure preempted local authority and gave the state power to name major commercial airports.
The Palm Beach County Board of County Commissioners approved a Naming Rights and License Agreement on May 5, 2026, in a 4-3 vote. The agreement was required because the Trump name is trademarked.
The contract gives the president’s company veto power over how his image is used in airport marketing materials. It also requires airport retailers to source some branded merchandise from Trump-approved vendors.
Democratic Commissioner Gregg Weiss voted against the licensing deal. He cited the lack of a termination clause in the contract.
The county’s airport department has maintained that the branding change will not affect airline service. The legal agreement governs the name and related commercial uses.
Supporters welcomed the new DJT identifier
Donald Trump celebrated his 80th birthday on June 14, 2026. Eric Trump, Executive Vice President of The Trump Organization, posted his support after the first flight under the new name on July 9.
“There is no person who has done more for Florida and our country, and no one more deserving of this incredible honor. I will forever be proud to see the initials 'DJT' on my boarding pass.”
DeSantis also defended the rename during the March 2026 bill signing.
“He’s a sitting President from Florida. The first one we’ve ever had from Florida. And so I thought it was appropriate. I know he’s very excited about it.”
Passenger reaction has been divided. Some travelers have praised the change as a fitting tribute, while others have organized boycotts and a Change.org petition opposing the name.
The petition had more than 1,300 verified signatures. Residents also criticized the state’s decision to override local control of the airport’s name.
American Airlines is answering questions without the same rebooking offer
American Airlines has not offered free changes under the reported arrangement. The carrier instead gave employees scripts to handle passenger questions and feedback, explaining that the renaming resulted from state government legislation.
United’s instructions give reservation agents discretion to move travelers to the two nearby airports. That approach differs from an automatic waiver displayed to every customer through an airline website or app.
The airport handled 8,657,372 passengers and recorded 159,091 aircraft operations in 2025, the year before the renaming. Those flights continue during the code transition.
Passengers with existing itineraries can contact a reservation representative and ask whether an exchange to FLL or MIA is available without a fare difference or change fee. The passenger code is scheduled to change on August 18, 2026, when PBI is set to become DJT.
