Would you care to hold that plane? United Airlines holding a plane for a passenger is an iconic customer service gesture.

Would you care to hold that plane?

Holding a plane for a passenger is an iconic customer service gesture. In a different era of commercial aviation, before on-time arrivals became so important that aircraft doors closed 15 minutes before departure, planes were almost routinely kept at the gate for passengers who were trying to make a connection or who were just late.