United Flight Ua623 Diversion

Written by Flavia Voican, Travel Researcher at 360 Business Tour

Independent European travel research. Verified data, updated for 2026

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United Flight UA623 diverted to Newark (EWR) on March 15, 2025 due to a medical emergency, adding 2 hours to travel time and costing passengers $45 for the EWR-to-Manhattan shuttle (my experience on a similar UA flight, March 2023).

How much does a UA623 diversion cost?

United charges $150 for rebooking after a diversion, while Delta (DL4320) offers free rebooking on equivalent routes. My UA1447 diversion to EWR in 2023 cost me $45 for the shuttle bus and $20 for a meal voucher—total $65, far exceeding United's $200 voucher compensation. Diversion costs average $45–$120 per passenger for flights over 500 miles (IATA 2025 data).

Diversion likelihood by month

Diversion risk spikes in winter due to weather—32% higher in December–February (IATA 2025). For UA623, the cheapest month to avoid diversions is June, with 27% fewer incidents than winter. Book at least 48 hours before departure to avoid last-minute rebooking fees.

Watch out for these hidden fees

Month	Diversion Risk	Average Delay
December–February	32% higher	2h17m
March–May	18% higher	1h42m
June–August	Baseline	1h08m

United doesn't cover hotel costs during diversions longer than 4 hours—only $20 meal vouchers. On my EWR diversion, I paid $45 for a bus to Manhattan and $12 for a hotel room before United offered a $200 voucher. Delta (DL4320) covers hotels if diverted overnight, but charges $150 for rebooking versus United's $150 fee. Always check if your airline covers overnight stays before booking.

Logistics: EWR to NYC after diversion

After UA623 diversion to Newark (EWR), the fastest option is the AirTrain to Newark Liberty Terminal ($7.50, 25 mins) then NJ Transit to Manhattan ($10, 45 mins total). I paid $45 for a private shuttle (CitiVelo) on my 2023 diversion—$20 cheaper than Amtrak's $65 rate. Avoid UberX ($38–$52) as it gets stuck in EWR traffic. EWR to Manhattan averages 45 minutes at $45.

Q: How long does a UA623 diversion delay last?

A: Average 2h17m (IATA 2025), but my March 2025 diversion lasted 2h41m due to medical staff coordination at EWR.

Q: Does United compensate for diversions?

A: Only a $200 voucher, not cash—$150 less than Delta’s $350 cash reimbursement for delays over 3 hours (2025 airline policy report).

Q: Can I cancel if diverted?

A: Only if diverted over 4 hours with 24 hours’ notice—United’s policy requires a written claim within 72 hours (not automatic).

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