United Airlines has denied reports suggesting it would allow passengers to change their flight destinations for free if they prefer not to land at the newly renamed Donald J. Trump International Airport in Palm Beach County, Florida.

A travel blog, Live and Let’s Fly, shared an internal memo on July 16th that was reportedly circulated among United employees. The memo instructed reservation agents to offer “acceptable alternatives,” such as flights to Fort Lauderdale or Miami, to travelers unwilling to fly into the former Palm Beach International Airport.

An airline spokesperson told The Hill that while the memo was authentic, it was “poorly worded” and inaccurate. In an emailed statement, United clarified, “United customers are able to make changes to a ticket without a fee for many reasons. However, our policy doesn’t allow for changes because of an airport’s name or three letter code.”

The renaming of the Palm Beach airport was authorized by legislation signed by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis in March 2026. The airport, located just a few miles from former President Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate, officially adopted the new name earlier in July 2026. Despite the change, travelers will continue to see the airport’s original three-letter code “PBI” on flight documents until August 18, 2026, when the International Air Transport Association updates the code to “DJT,” according to the Federal Aviation Administration.

The Palm Beach County Department of Airports is updating signage, branding, technology systems, and other public-facing materials to reflect the new name, a project estimated to cost approximately $5.5 million.

Officials emphasize that the renaming does not affect the airport’s ownership, governance, legal status, daily operations, airline service, or passenger experience. Passengers are expected to continue receiving the same professional and reliable service during the transition.

Sources