United Airlines Jet Looks Worse for Wear on Paint Shop Back-Up

Carriers are bringing planes back into service as demand rises
Wait for a fresh coat can stretch 6-8 weeks, consultant says

Peeling paint is seen on a Boeing 757-300 operated by United Airlines at O’Hare International Airport in Chicago, Illinois, on Feb. 18, 2022.Source: Jerry Lai

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By Julie Johnsson and Justin Bachman

June 11, 2022 at 1:00 PM UTC

Airlines are racing to bring parked planes back into service now that post-pandemic travel demand is picking up. But some of those jets are looking a little rough around the edges.

Eagle-eyed observers say some aircraft due for a routine grooming at United Airlines Holdings Inc. didn’t get fresh coats before being brought back into its active fleet. After nearly two years in the desert, planes with giant flakes of paint peeling from their fuselages can face long wait times at paint shops.