i know it will never happen but would'nt it be nice to see the 717 in UAL colors? It would be a great fit to replace those old 737-200's. And its not too heavy for its shorter routes as many claim the A318 is. It would be perfect for the United Shuttle operation or on the short routes out of ORD. But alas, I doubt we will ever see it. T-tails at United????? Well, we can always dream right?

Because United has a large fleet of IAE V2500 powered A319s & A320s, they will probably go for the A318 with P&W 6000 series engines because they have cockpit commonality with the other Airbuses.

The B 737-200s have JUST gone through heavy maintenance and shall NOT be leaving anytime soon. They will be around for another 3 to 5 years. There is currently no replacement for these B 732s. NONE!

As ILUV767 has stated before, they MIGHT replace them with current B 737-300s and B 737-500s when new A 319s and 320s become more available.

I strongly doubt that they will order any A 318s. It is not very cost effective in anyway.

They might simply order more B A 319s and 320s. Or if Boeing offers them a sweet deal with the B 737NGs along with the B 747-400/400LR, they might order a few. Let's say 20 to 25 B 737-600s.

The B 717? Sure it will be cool to see a few in UAL's fleet but I strongly doubt that this will ever happen. Probably routes like SEA-YVR have the potential for UAL to use the B 717. Let's say 4 to 5?

Hope that answers your question.

 

Highliner2,

Doesn't UA still have 727s around ... they are T-Tails ...

For the last time, I hate having to keep saying this, United will NOT be ordering any 737NGs. They are happy with the Airbuses. Repeat: NO 737NG!

SAYS WHO??

Says United HIGHLINER2.....

First, I have to agree with HIGHLINER2- Kona, who are you to say United will or won't do anything? Didn't think so.

Anyhow, I just wanted to point out that United has NEVER operated a DC-9 type. They ordered the DC-8 in abundance. They were a huge operator of the DC-10 (my favorite, too bad they're gone) but NEVER did they order a single DC-9. As Douglas revised it into the -32, -34LR, -51, United still said no. And when it was turned into the fantastic (at least AA thinks so) MD-80 United AGAIN said, "no, thanks." And now that it is the wonderful MD-95/717 do I think they will order them? No, I don't. But that wasn't the point. Point is, since they operated other DC aircraft, why did they never order the DC-9 series?

Makes no sense to me. I would have thought they would have done that rather than the 737. But then, they launched the 737-200, so maybe there is our answer...

Randy

I have enjoyed following the airline and aircraft industries for years, and one thing I have learned is "Never say Never". I do not see the 717 as a part of UA's future, and I also do not think that UA will order the 737NG in the near-term (maybe later when they are thinking about replacing the 733/735 aircraft - UA is a huge airline and could operate large fleets of A320 family and 737NG aircraft side by side economically if they wanted); however, airlines are in business and are under a lot of pressure to make money in constantly changing financial circumstances, and if an airliner manufacturer is willing to make a great deal that is too good to refuse, the airline is likely to take it.

Thus, while none of us could understand UA purchasing the 717, who knows what would happen if Boeing was in the mood to make a deal?

In the 1980s, neither AA or TW were very interested in the MD80 until Douglas made amazing offers to thsoe airlines to try their new product - we all know what happened.