Case Study: United Airlines achieves reduced delays and increased runway capacity with Honeywell SmartPath Precision Landing System

Honeywell ground-based augmentation system (GBAS) improves airspace efficiency and capacity

United Airlines faced chronic congestion and delay at its Newark Liberty hub—where Runway 29’s approach is restricted by the Manhattan skyline and nearby airports—threatening the carrier’s ability to maintain scheduled movements as traffic grows. To address this, the Port Authority installed Honeywell’s SmartPath Precision Landing System (a GBAS solution) and United began equipping its fleet to use the system so it could increase runway utility and reduce weather- and airspace-related delays.

Honeywell’s SmartPath GBAS, FAA certified for Category I and capable of supporting up to 26 precision approaches and multiple glidepaths, was deployed at Newark to enable stabilized, curved and non‑straight-in approaches without a dedicated ILS on every runway end. United now has over 50 GLS‑equipped aircraft (mainly Boeing 737s and 787s) and expects future deliveries to be SmartPath‑ready; the implementation has improved system availability (remaining operational during heavy snow when ILS was out), reduced maintenance and flight‑check needs, and created the potential to increase runway capacity, shorten queues and cut delays.

United

Glenn Morse

Director – Industry Affairs