United cancels commemorative flyover over Denver for 25th anniversary of 9/11 attacks
United Airlines has canceled a planned commemorative Boeing 777 flyover in Denver, United States, for the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks. The United aircraft was to be escorted by four F-16 fighters from the Colorado National Guard, but the event was canceled following concerns from the local community.
Decision after community reaction
Denver’s Office of Emergency Management confirmed the cancellation on September 9, 2026, two days before the anniversary. As AeroTime reports, city authorities had informed residents in advance about possible noise and aircraft appearing in the sky. Dispatch services were also preparing for calls from people who might mistakenly perceive the flight as an emergency.
United told People that the flyover had been planned as a gesture to honor members of the pilot community who were killed. The company suspended these plans after public feedback.
More current news is available on the UA.News Telegram channel Telegram.
Other memorial events
Despite canceling the flyover, United plans to hold other memorial events. A 9-foot-11-inch monument made from steel recovered from the World Trade Center in New York is to be unveiled at the airline’s training center in Denver. It will be dedicated to the crews of United Flights 175 and 93.
United and American Airlines employees also plan to honor the victims with moments of silence at Denver International Airport. During the September 11, 2001 attacks, hijackers flew American Flight 11 into the North Tower of the World Trade Center, United Flight 175 into the South Tower, and American Flight 77 into the Pentagon. United Flight 93 crashed near Shanksville, Pennsylvania, after passengers and crew resisted the hijackers.
