Top US Airline Caught Insulting Trump?

United Airlines is disputing reports that it is allowing passengers to change their destinations for free if they do not want to fly into the newly renamed Donald J. Trump International Airport in Palm Beach.

The controversy began after the travel blog Live and Let’s Fly published what it described as an internal memo instructing reservation agents that they could offer travelers “acceptable alternatives,” including Fort Lauderdale or Miami, if they no longer wished to fly into the airport formerly known as Palm Beach International Airport.

While United did not dispute that the memo existed, the airline said it was inaccurate and poorly worded.

In a statement, United said customers are permitted to change tickets without paying a fee under a variety of circumstances, but emphasized that its policy does not allow free itinerary changes simply because an airport’s name or three-letter code has changed.

The airport was officially renamed after Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed legislation approving the change earlier this year. Located just a few miles from President Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate, the airport formally adopted the Donald J. Trump International Airport name earlier this month.

Passengers will continue seeing the airport’s longtime “PBI” code on tickets until Aug. 18, when the International Air Transport Association is scheduled to update the airport identifier to “DJT,” according to the Federal Aviation Administration.

Airport officials are also updating signs, branding, technology systems and other public-facing materials to reflect the new name. The Palm Beach County Department of Airports estimates the transition will cost approximately $5.5 million. According to the airport, Florida is paying about half of that amount, while the remainder will come from the department’s operating budget and capital improvement program. Officials have emphasized that no local property tax dollars are being used to fund the project.

The renaming has generated mixed reactions. Trump supporters have praised the decision, while critics have argued that major public infrastructure should not be named after sitting elected officials. Rep. Lois Frankel (D-Fla.), whose district includes Palm Beach, previously argued that such decisions should wait until a public figure has completed their service and should include meaningful input from local communities.

As debate over the name change has continued, the airport has added a notice to its online contact form informing visitors that the renaming does not affect ownership, governance, legal status, airline operations or the passenger experience. Airport officials say travelers should expect normal service throughout the transition.