The majority of the airlines 67,000 US staff have supplied proof of vaccination, which was required by Monday.
Nearly 600 workers who have refused a Covid vaccine and have not applied for an exemption on religious or medical grounds now face losing their jobs. A further 2,000 employees have requested an exemption to the policy.
According to the BBC, United Airlines chief executive Scott Kirby and president Brett Hart said on Tuesday (28 September): "Our rationale for requiring the vaccine for all United’s US-based employees was simple – to keep our people safe – and the truth is this: everyone is safer when everyone is vaccinated, and vaccine requirements work.
"This was an incredibly difficult decision but keeping our team safe has always been our first priority."
