United Airlines Lets Passengers Avoid Donald Trump-Named DJT Airport, Offers Free Switch to Miami or Fort Lauderdale

United Airlines is preparing for customers who may object to flying into an airport named for President Donald Trump, giving reservation agents unusual flexibility to move those passengers to Fort Lauderdale or Miami without charging extra.

The airline is currently updating its systems to reflect the renaming of West Palm Beach Airport (PBI) to President Donald J. Trump International Airport (DJT), according to an internal memo shared with Live And Let's Fly.

United Empowers Agents To Offer Alternate Airports

The memo's most notable guidance concerns customers who do not want to fly into the newly renamed airport. United instructs reservation agents:

"If a customer does not want to fly to the airport, use your empowerment to offer acceptable alternatives such as Fort Lauderdale Airport (FLL) or Miami International Airport (MIA)." Denver Airport Viral Video: Footage Shows Individual Walking Into Path of Frontier Flight 4345.

The memo also provides agents with a suggested script:

"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?"

Agents have been told to process such changes as an even exchange.

No Extra Charge For Passengers Who Object To DJT

The guidance effectively means a customer booked to West Palm Beach can request to avoid the renamed airport and be rebooked to Fort Lauderdale or Miami without paying a fare difference. TSA Wait Time Crisis: Why Are Airport Security Delays Surging Across the US?

Fort Lauderdale sits roughly 45 miles south of West Palm Beach, while Miami is farther still. Neither is a direct substitute, but both offer access to South Florida without routing passengers through DJT.

Airlines typically do not allow free destination changes simply because a traveler objects to an airport's name, making United's approach notable. The move suggests the airline sees the renaming as significant enough to warrant an even exchange rather than forcing customers through the new airport.

The memo does note limits, saying agents should offer an "acceptable alternative," which implies the change remains subject to availability and agent discretion.

What This Means For Travelers

United has already briefed staff on handling confusion over whether West Palm Beach should be referred to as PBI, DJT, or Donald J. Trump Airport. The airline is now going further, allowing passengers who object to flying into DJT to switch to Fort Lauderdale or Miami as a free, even exchange.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 17, 2026 07:32 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).