United Cancels Planned 9/11 Flyover

The Denver tribute would have paired a Boeing 777 with four F-16s on the 25th anniversary of the attacks.

United Cancels Planned 9/11 Flyover
[Credit: KITTIKUN YOKSAP | Shutterstock]
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Key Takeaways:

  • United Airlines has canceled a planned Sept. 11 memorial flyover over Denver, citing "concerns in the community."
  • The flyover, featuring a Boeing 777 escorted by F-16s, was intended for a private employee remembrance of the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks.
  • Officials had anticipated public alarm, preparing dispatchers for potential emergency calls due to the formation's high visibility and audibility.
  • United will proceed with other memorial events, including unveiling a monument made from World Trade Center steel and observing moments of silence.
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United Airlines has canceled a planned Sept. 11 memorial flyover over Denver that would have featured a Boeing 777 escorted by four Colorado Air National Guard F-16s. The airline said it suspended the plan because of “concerns in the community,” according to the Denver Gazette.

The formation was expected to fly over United’s Flight Training Center as part of a private employee remembrance marking the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks. The flyover was planned for around 9:03 a.m., corresponding with the time United Flight 175 struck the South Tower of the World Trade Center.

Denver’s Office of Emergency Management had issued advance notice because the formation would be highly visible and audible, and officials were preparing emergency dispatchers for calls from residents who might mistake it for an emergency.

Other United memorial events will continue. The airline plans to unveil a 9-foot-11-inch monument at its Denver training center made from World Trade Center steel and dedicated to the crews of United Flights 175 and 93. United and American Airlines employees also plan moments of silence at Denver International Airport.

Matt Ryan

Matt is AVweb's lead editor. His eyes have been turned to the sky for as long as he can remember. Now a fixed-wing pilot, instructor and aviation writer, Matt also leads and teaches a high school aviation program in the Dallas area. Beyond his lifelong obsession with aviation, Matt loves to travel and has lived in Greece, Czechia and Germany for studies and for work.

Continue discussion - Visit the forum

Replies: 6

  1. Sure seemed like a stupid idea. I’m glad they canceled it.

  2. Avatar for dbier dbier says:

    Care to share why you thought honoring the victims of 9/11 - and possibly generating discussion about 9/11 with kids who know little about it - was a bad idea?

  3. Because it looks like a massive intercept over populated areas? This shoud never have gotten beyond the “Interesting idea. No!” stage when it was suggested.

  4. Avatar for dbier dbier says:

    There will always be clueless people out there - but allowing them to dictate everyone else’s behavior should not be allowed. Are you also in favor of banning July 4th fireworks because some people might get stressd or think they are being attacked? Where does you accomodation to stupid people stop?

  5. I don’t see how a flyover in Denver honors the memory of those that died on 9/11. Perhaps well intended, but I don’t think the first thought, of most people that would have seen the flyover, would have been about the victims of 9/11.

  6. Hey wait! You didn’t give a trigger warning! Now the poster is forever traumatized and will need a week off from work, psychological counseling and reassurance from his mommy! How dare you!

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