UA is running a beautiful images of the 787 & A350 in their Hemispheres magazine announcing the order of 25 each. The article elludes to the fact that an A350 can fly 11% further than a 747 and that the 787 can fly 32% further than a 767. Oddly no mention of the 777. As I was on a 777 & 767 this week and I have to say...the thought of never being in a nose cone or an upper deck (not in the A380) ever again made me very sad. No more seat in the nose of a 747 and every front having a wall bums me out!

While I admire United for being bold in getting A350's, Its a shame they didn't get 777-300ER's.

Quoting Jfk777 (Reply 1): While I admire United for being bold in getting A350's, Its a shame they didn't get 777-300ER's.

Having just spent the money to reconfigure the 747 fleet (and likely performed whatever maintenance checks they were due for either then or when they painted them in the current livery), the planes should be in a good position to hold them over until the A350XWB-1000 or the 777NG enter service, so there was likely no real benefit to adding the 777-300ER when all the numbers are run.

Quoting VC10er (Thread starter): Oddly no mention of the 777.

The Triple Sevens will be flying alongside the new fleet for years to come.

The article also confirms the replacements for the 744 and 763 based on current forecasts. As the forecasts are updated, UA's needs will change. The recent order still gives them flexibility in tailoring their fleet requirements for the future.

http://www.ink-live.com/emagazines/h...ispheres-united-airlines/2010/jan/

See Page 16

[Edited 2010-01-31 11:56:15]

Get it. The illustrations in the ads of the 2 aircraft gave me goosebumps!