United Airlines Fleet Thread - 2022

janders · Sat Jan 01, 2022 3:09 am

Welcome to the United Airlines Fleet Thread for 2022.

After trying out a quarterly combined Fleet, Network and Discussion thread, we have elected to revert back with separate Fleet and Network threads for 2022.

Link to the recent combined Q4 thread:
viewtopic.php?f=3&t=1465351

cosyr · Sat Jan 01, 2022 3:35 am

To start off the new year, could someone summarize roughly when UA is expecting new Max8's and Max9's by month or quarter? Also, are there any new 787's expected to be delivered this year (assuming Boeing has all delivery issues worked out)?

sfojvjets · Sat Jan 01, 2022 3:59 am

Maybe this will be the year that they finally discard that 45-strong 359 order...

SCFlyer · Sat Jan 01, 2022 4:03 am

sfojvjets wrote:
Maybe this will be the year that they finally discard that 45-strong 359 order...

I would predict the A359s order may be 'silently' removed as a trade off for more A321neos and A321XLRs later this year.

Although in slight seriousness, I can see the A359 order become the new VS A380 order (or the remaining handful of undelivered QF A380s), being pushed back indefinitely, before both were eventually cancelled and removed with very little fanfare.

TWA772LR · Sat Jan 01, 2022 4:22 am

SCFlyer wrote:
sfojvjets wrote:
Maybe this will be the year that they finally discard that 45-strong 359 order...

I would predict the A359s order may be 'silently' removed as a trade off for more A321neos and A321XLRs later this year.

Although in slight seriousness, I can see the A359 order become the new VS A380 order (or the remaining handful of undelivered QF A380s), being pushed back indefinitely, before both were eventually cancelled and removed with very little fanfare.

Speculations:

Order cancelled but sticking with RR for 787 engines instead. Probably 8s to replace the 767 with the 321LR replacing the 757.

Order more neo (A320ceo needs to be replaced by something) or A220 with Airbus and Pratt covering some of the RR penalty.

Stick it out for A350neo with the Ultrafan to replace the whole 777 fleet. With the 77Es soon being converted to freighters and 77Ws still hot on the market, the next 5 years would be to drop the 777. This could even lead to a 1 for 1 scenario with the oldest 777s being over 30 by then.

Still though the most important spot to watch is the 737/320 spot and below. With US travel rebounding to pre-covid levels, a 100 seater makes more sense. It'd even allow for more point to point routes like we saw during covid, although I think that is more of a tactical move to use aircraft that would otherwise be parked.

Flame away.

UAinAUS · Sat Jan 01, 2022 4:43 am

cosyr wrote:
To start off the new year, could someone summarize roughly when UA is expecting new Max8's and Max9's by month or quarter? Also, are there any new 787's expected to be delivered this year (assuming Boeing has all delivery issues worked out)?

I'm not positive on the Max delivery dates. But yes there are 8 787-10's due for delivery this year once Boeing sorts out the issues. 1 is already ready and in storage. The 2nd is in final testing now.

Cardude2 · Sat Jan 01, 2022 9:29 am

TWA772LR wrote:
SCFlyer wrote:
sfojvjets wrote:
Maybe this will be the year that they finally discard that 45-strong 359 order...

I would predict the A359s order may be 'silently' removed as a trade off for more A321neos and A321XLRs later this year.

Although in slight seriousness, I can see the A359 order become the new VS A380 order (or the remaining handful of undelivered QF A380s), being pushed back indefinitely, before both were eventually cancelled and removed with very little fanfare.

Speculations:

Order cancelled but sticking with RR for 787 engines instead. Probably 8s to replace the 767 with the 321LR replacing the 757.

Stick it out for A350neo with the Ultrafan to replace the whole 777 fleet. With the 77Es soon being converted to freighters and 77Ws still hot on the market, the next 5 years would be to drop the 777. This could even lead to a 1 for 1 scenario with the oldest 777s being over 30 by then.

Flame away.

I don't think UA will buy mew 8's so who so you think they will buy them from? Avianca? Aeromexico? (A reminder that UA's 787's are all GE powered so once the 752 and 753 are retired there will be no other RR aircraft in the fleet, just all the other 4. And UA cannot wait any longer for the 772/E replacement, they need to settle so A350neo is a no-go.

Speculation:

it's in UA's best interest I think to not convert the remaining 789's to Polaris and instead turn those into domestic specs and retire the 772's stuck in the desert. An alternative to that could also be the unloved 764 or used 789's.

as for the 77E's, the remaining on order 787-10 was partially suppose to be used to retire these planes along with the A359. The only viable alternative I can think of to the A359 is more 789. So it's either more GE 789 or RR A359 (sole rolls)

as for narrowbodies, more MAX 8's and maybe an entrance of A320neos (at this point I don't think they will go sole on domestic)

but it could also be a boatload of A223's and A225's as I don't think united is crazy enough to take the Max 7 or A319neo, but I can be proven wrong

CDGIAD · Sat Jan 01, 2022 9:43 am

Does anybody know when the first 788 will be repainted in the Evoblue livery ?

With the 764 it's the last aircraft type in UA's with not even a single frame repainted.

airplanedriver6 · Sat Jan 01, 2022 2:39 pm

Cardude2 wrote:
Speculation:

it's in UA's best interest I think to not convert the remaining 789's to Polaris and instead turn those into domestic specs and retire the 772's stuck in the desert. An alternative to that could also be the unloved 764 or used 789's.

Alternate speculation:

UAL will simply perform the recently released FAA directives (article) to return the 777s to the fleet in 2022. It should be a straightforward program considering UAL and Boeing came up with the fixes and the work is already well in process.

cosyr · Sat Jan 01, 2022 3:39 pm

airplanedriver6 wrote:
Cardude2 wrote:
Speculation:

it's in UA's best interest I think to not convert the remaining 789's to Polaris and instead turn those into domestic specs and retire the 772's stuck in the desert. An alternative to that could also be the unloved 764 or used 789's.

Alternate speculation:

UAL will simply perform the recently released FAA directives (article) to return the 777s to the fleet in 2022. It should be a straightforward program considering UAL and Boeing came up with the fixes and the work is already well in process.

I think it is highly likely that the 77A's will fly again, given how long UA has insisted they are sticking with it, despite them being almost 30 years old now. However, they are almost 30 years old (about as old as the DC-10's were when they were retired), so regardless of whether they fly again, they will need to be retired soon.

JFKalumni · Sat Jan 01, 2022 5:40 pm

SCFlyer wrote:
sfojvjets wrote:
Maybe this will be the year that they finally discard that 45-strong 359 order...

I would predict the A359s order may be 'silently' removed as a trade off for more A321neos and A321XLRs later this year.

Although in slight seriousness, I can see the A359 order become the new VS A380 order (or the remaining handful of undelivered QF A380s), being pushed back indefinitely, before both were eventually cancelled and removed with very little fanfare.

With over 100+ A321’s already on the books I would say UA would turn its attention towards the lower end of the fleet. Purchase A220’s with scheduled delivery around 2026 to cover the 737-700’s and upgrade smaller markets away from UAX equipment. Prime example is the current schedule for EWR-ATL on Brickyard E-175’s. EWR-SNA is another great candidate for this size of aircraft.

STT757 · Sat Jan 01, 2022 6:11 pm

I think UA sticks with the A350 order, replacing the international Pratt and GE 777-200ERs later in the decade (2028).

A 787-10 order to replace the domestic 777s sometime around 2026.

A 788/789 order to replace the 767-300s (2025) 767-400s, 2027.

An A220, A223, A225 order to replace 73Gs, A319s, A320s 2027.

Additional 737-8/9/10 to replace the oldest 737-800s, 737-900(non ERs), 757-300s 2028.

adamblang · Sat Jan 01, 2022 6:27 pm

TWA772LR wrote:
Order cancelled but sticking with RR for 787 engines instead. Probably 8s to replace the 767 with the 321LR replacing the 757.

Order more neo (A320ceo needs to be replaced by something) or A220 with Airbus and Pratt covering some of the RR penalty.

The Boom SST is supposed to be powered by Rolls. If that plane actually flies and actually enters United service, maybe those Rolls deposits get spent there. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

adamblang · Sat Jan 01, 2022 6:31 pm

UAinAUS wrote:
cosyr wrote:
To start off the new year, could someone summarize roughly when UA is expecting new Max8's and Max9's by month or quarter? Also, are there any new 787's expected to be delivered this year (assuming Boeing has all delivery issues worked out)?

I'm not positive on the Max delivery dates. But yes there are 8 787-10's due for delivery this year once Boeing sorts out the issues. 1 is already ready and in storage. The 2nd is in final testing now.

I hope we see a topoff order for 787-8s and -9s this year.

The -8s have been stretched pretty thin on low-J premium leisure / VFR routes (IAD-ACC, IAD-LOS, IAD-AMM, a lot of Hawaii, etc) where some more might be warranted? Assuming the routes those frames were covering pre-pandemic come back?

And as an avgeek the -8 and -9 seem to enable to many cool new routes I want more of those frames so there can be more of those routes.

adamblang · Sat Jan 01, 2022 6:36 pm

cosyr wrote:
To start off the new year, could someone summarize roughly when UA is expecting new Max8's and Max9's by month or quarter? Also, are there any new 787's expected to be delivered this year (assuming Boeing has all delivery issues worked out)?

Page 23 of United's 10-Q form filed with the SEC October 20th has this chart:

Which isn't quite what you asked but it's what public information I can find.

gwrudolph · Sat Jan 01, 2022 8:56 pm

cosyr wrote:
airplanedriver6 wrote:
Cardude2 wrote:
Speculation:

it's in UA's best interest I think to not convert the remaining 789's to Polaris and instead turn those into domestic specs and retire the 772's stuck in the desert. An alternative to that could also be the unloved 764 or used 789's.

Alternate speculation:

UAL will simply perform the recently released FAA directives (article) to return the 777s to the fleet in 2022. It should be a straightforward program considering UAL and Boeing came up with the fixes and the work is already well in process.

I think it is highly likely that the 77A's will fly again, given how long UA has insisted they are sticking with it, despite them being almost 30 years old now. However, they are almost 30 years old (about as old as the DC-10's were when they were retired), so regardless of whether they fly again, they will need to be retired soon.

There’s nothing to say those 777s can’t fly on for a while past 30 years. After all, that’s the plan for the 763s.

The DC-10s were a little different in that they had an expensive AD out on them for mandatory removal of the mylar-faced insulation following the Swissair fire and crash. As such, it was remove the insulation or retire them. United had prepared for that eventuality by topping off the 763 and 777 orders in the late 90s.

Cardude2 · Sat Jan 01, 2022 9:29 pm

STT757 wrote:
I think UA sticks with the A350 order, replacing the international Pratt and GE 777-200ERs later in the decade (2028).

A 787-10 order to replace the domestic 777s sometime around 2026.

A 788/789 order to replace the 767-300s (2025) 767-400s, 2027.

An A220, A223, A225 order to replace 73Gs, A319s, A320s 2027.

Additional 737-8/9/10 to replace the oldest 737-800s, 737-900(non ERs), 757-300s 2028.

Aditonally they could get ahold of used GE Dreamliner from a failed carrier. Also I think the 738 and non er 739 replacement is part of United’s massive order. Also I think the 753 would more likely be replaced by a321neo, just my speculations. Otherwise great post

Cmac787 · Sat Jan 01, 2022 11:03 pm

MX movement:

N835UA A319 is scheduled to enter LCQMX F2748/03 Oct
N881UA A319 is scheduled to exit LCQMX F2749/03 Oct

N16713 737-700 is scheduled to exit ROW storage and ferry to MCOMX F2719/03 Jan
Former GUM unit

Acey559 · Sun Jan 02, 2022 2:35 am

Cardude2 wrote:
STT757 wrote:
I think UA sticks with the A350 order, replacing the international Pratt and GE 777-200ERs later in the decade (2028).

A 787-10 order to replace the domestic 777s sometime around 2026.

A 788/789 order to replace the 767-300s (2025) 767-400s, 2027.

An A220, A223, A225 order to replace 73Gs, A319s, A320s 2027.

Additional 737-8/9/10 to replace the oldest 737-800s, 737-900(non ERs), 757-300s 2028.

Aditonally they could get ahold of used GE Dreamliner from a failed carrier. Also I think the 738 and non er 739 replacement is part of United’s massive order. Also I think the 753 would more likely be replaced by a321neo, just my speculations. Otherwise great post

I would have to imagine the 753s are some of the last of that fleet to get retired. There's not much else if anything out there that can carry 234 (228 currently) passengers at negligible fuel burn over the 752. The 321 is a great plane but it can't do everything the 757 does, so the 756 fleet will be around for the better part of this decade.

phllax · Sun Jan 02, 2022 4:16 am

Any word on when the existing NG and Max 9 fleets will get seat back IFE installed?

Bert65 · Sun Jan 02, 2022 10:38 am

N803UA A319 is scheduled to exit MX at LCQ 2 Jan F2751

JFKalumni · Sun Jan 02, 2022 10:43 am

Does anybody know how many 767-400’s have returned to service? I swear I have yet to see ship 0055 (Star Alliance) nor ship 0058.

InnsbruckFlyer · Sun Jan 02, 2022 11:16 am

JFKalumni wrote:
Does anybody know how many 767-400’s have returned to service? I swear I have yet to see ship 0055 (Star Alliance) nor ship 0058.

All but 0055, 0057, 0058, and 0060 are back in service.

JFKalumni · Sun Jan 02, 2022 12:13 pm

InnsbruckFlyer wrote:
JFKalumni wrote:
Does anybody know how many 767-400’s have returned to service? I swear I have yet to see ship 0055 (Star Alliance) nor ship 0058.

All but 0055, 0057, 0058, and 0060 are back in service.

Thanks.

With the PW 777 situation, you would think all of the 767-400 fleet would be back by now.

MIflyer12 · Sun Jan 02, 2022 1:13 pm

STT757 wrote:

A 787-10 order to replace the domestic 777s sometime around 2026.

That's a waste of a 787-10. UA has plenty of stll middle-age 772s that can be converted into those roles of more-turn, lower-utilization domestic flying. Keep 787-10s on long haul where the fuel burn advantage is most significant.

calpsafltskeds · Sun Jan 02, 2022 5:21 pm

772 Domestic:
N221UA has been in HKG since 12/21/21 and assume to be getting domestic configuration during maint.
N222UA has been in HKG since 12/6/21 for maint to be ready when PW units come back online.

UAinAUS · Mon Jan 03, 2022 8:57 am

UAX Update:

CR5:
N518LR exited FTW in EvoBlu livery

CR7:
N527GJ (1999 build, ex-L5) entered STL for CR5 conversion

adamblang · Mon Jan 03, 2022 7:24 pm

phllax wrote:
Any word on when the existing NG and Max 9 fleets will get seat back IFE installed?

I imagine there'll be an update on January 20th when earnings are announced and analysts and journalists ask questions of the VPs.

cruiseshipcrew · Mon Jan 03, 2022 8:16 pm

I really hope all is a-ok with Jayunited. It has been a few months now since he has been here.

MDC862 · Tue Jan 04, 2022 12:25 am

Im thinking he has been "silenced" by the powers that be. If not and he was terminated, he would still be posting.

adamblang · Tue Jan 04, 2022 3:27 pm

Hoping for recovery, Boeing bosses look to the future, deflect questions on the MAX crashes - Seattle Times

In addition to resuming 787 deliveries sometime in 2022, Deal anticipates ramping up 737 MAX production and getting the MAX 7 and MAX 10 models certified.

He also revealed that Boeing is currently designing a new “high gross weight” version of the largest Dreamliner, the 787-10, bumping up its payload and range to make it more competitive against the Airbus A350-900.

Pinto · Tue Jan 04, 2022 11:08 pm

With the FAAs announcement regarding the PW 777s is there any new regarding the fleets rentry into service?

adamblang · Wed Jan 05, 2022 12:22 am

Pinto wrote:
With the FAAs announcement regarding the PW 777s is there any new regarding the fleets rentry into service?

This is the most recent public thing I've seen:

U.S. FAA backs inspections, strengthening key part for Boeing 777-200 engines - CNBC

United said the proposed directives “are a good outcome for our industry and United customers.” It added “many of the affected engines have already undergone these proposed inspections. We expect these aircraft to safely rejoin our fleet early next year.”

wjcandee · Wed Jan 05, 2022 7:15 am

Looks like N17133 will be exiting ILN later today, flying to GSO. Been in maint at ILN since 9/29/21. Did a lengthy test flight at ILN on Monday. That will leave 4 UA 752s and 1 753 in maintenance at ILN. Two 752s came to ILN from storage, the balance from in-service.

Golfmikey · Wed Jan 05, 2022 7:42 pm

752: N17126 entering ROW today UA 2732
764: N78060 leaving ROW today UA2723

I would assume the 764 will head to China for reintroduction into service I wonder why the 752 is heading to ROW? Do they mx there also or maybe putting it in short term storage?

ChaseP · Wed Jan 05, 2022 7:58 pm

Golfmikey wrote:
752: N17126 entering ROW today UA 2732
764: N78060 leaving ROW today UA2723

I would assume the 764 will head to China for reintroduction into service I wonder why the 752 is heading to ROW? Do they mx there also or maybe putting it in short term storage?

United is having maintenance done at ROW. No aircraft are being put back into storage at this time.

Boeing12345 · Thu Jan 06, 2022 6:17 pm

ChaseP wrote:
Golfmikey wrote:
752: N17126 entering ROW today UA 2732
764: N78060 leaving ROW today UA2723

I would assume the 764 will head to China for reintroduction into service I wonder why the 752 is heading to ROW? Do they mx there also or maybe putting it in short term storage?

United is having maintenance done at ROW. No aircraft are being put back into storage at this time.

Actually 126 has a dead 8C and gear change due. It is being put into short term storage (>60 day) for the moment.

Cmac787 · Thu Jan 06, 2022 9:45 pm

N66056 767-400 has entered LCQ MX. First widebody I’ve seen at LCQ. Usually only Airbuses are there

calpsafltskeds · Thu Jan 06, 2022 11:12 pm

I thought previously some 763s were in LCQ, but maybe I'm wrong.
In any case, LCQ is looking for aircraft painters and N66056 was last painted in 2016.
The aircraft was returned to service in either late August or late September, so just 3 to 5 months since a major check.
It looks like LCQ has two hangers big enough for widebodies, but not sure if they will fit a WB in whichever building is the paint hanger.

adamblang · Fri Jan 07, 2022 5:32 pm

I think this might've been over in the network thread (and then been deleted because it's not network).

CraigAnderson yesterday found this Executive Traveler interview about the 321XLR.

There's since been some discussion about 321XLR configuration on One Mile At A Time:

Will get a new Polaris seat designed for single-aisle aircraft
Will have Premium Plus
Initial aircraft delivered in 2024, bulk of aircraft delivered in 2025
Aircraft will be deployed on markets like EWR-BOG and EWR-EDI
752s will be replaced with 321XLRs
Some new routes that were not possible on 752s or 763s will be launched
Some routes operated with sub-optimal economics on 763s may switch to 321XLRs

This was also interesting speculation in the One Mile At A Time column:

The only new seat I know of that’s custom-made for the A321XLR is STELIA’s OPERA seat, which is essentially a modified reverse herringbone seat with a door. This looks great, especially for a narrow body aircraft, so my money would be on airlines like American and United selecting this as their business class seat.

ILikeTrains · Fri Jan 07, 2022 7:55 pm

This may be beating a dead horse, but the rumored 787-10HGW looks like a perfect 77E replacement. It could probably be bought in numbers great enough to cancel their A350 orders, albeit the engine contract may force them into getting RR. Not advantageous, but it would be a large fleet anyway, and preserve the common type rating.

TWA772LR · Fri Jan 07, 2022 8:31 pm

ILikeTrains wrote:
This may be beating a dead horse, but the rumored 787-10HGW looks like a perfect 77E replacement. It could probably be bought in numbers great enough to cancel their A350 orders, albeit the engine contract may force them into getting RR. Not advantageous, but it would be a large fleet anyway, and preserve the common type rating.

I wonder if this HGW 78J can do EWR-HKG without penalty. Not that it matters since it'll be 77W territory for a long time, but not a bad benchmark.

JFKalumni · Fri Jan 07, 2022 10:00 pm

ILikeTrains wrote:
This may be beating a dead horse, but the rumored 787-10HGW looks like a perfect 77E replacement. It could probably be bought in numbers great enough to cancel their A350 orders, albeit the engine contract may force them into getting RR. Not advantageous, but it would be a large fleet anyway, and preserve the common type rating.

At this point, anything is possible. We’ve already seen BA and other airlines order 777’s with both GE-90’s and Trent 800’s. The situation with the Trent 1000’s have quietly stabilized so adding RR to a new order for 787-8 and -9’s while sticking with GEnx for the heavy lift -10 is possible

TWA772LR · Sat Jan 08, 2022 12:03 am

adamblang wrote:
I think this might've been over in the network thread (and then been deleted because it's not network).

CraigAnderson yesterday found this Executive Traveler interview about the 321XLR.

There's since been some discussion about 321XLR configuration on One Mile At A Time:

Will get a new Polaris seat designed for single-aisle aircraft
Will have Premium Plus
Initial aircraft delivered in 2024, bulk of aircraft delivered in 2025
Aircraft will be deployed on markets like EWR-BOG and EWR-EDI
752s will be replaced with 321XLRs
Some new routes that were not possible on 752s or 763s will be launched
Some routes operated with sub-optimal economics on 763s may switch to 321XLRs

This was also interesting speculation in the One Mile At A Time column:

The only new seat I know of that’s custom-made for the A321XLR is STELIA’s OPERA seat, which is essentially a modified reverse herringbone seat with a door. This looks great, especially for a narrow body aircraft, so my money would be on airlines like American and United selecting this as their business class seat.

Good find! Makes me wonder if the XLR will be more of a scaled down version if the hi-J 763. Lie flats take up a lot more room on a narrowbody. I can also see the premium Y be 2-2, probably 3-5 rows max. Interesting times ahead!

cosyr · Sat Jan 08, 2022 1:21 am

TWA772LR wrote:
adamblang wrote:
I think this might've been over in the network thread (and then been deleted because it's not network).

CraigAnderson yesterday found this Executive Traveler interview about the 321XLR.

There's since been some discussion about 321XLR configuration on One Mile At A Time:

Will get a new Polaris seat designed for single-aisle aircraft
Will have Premium Plus
Initial aircraft delivered in 2024, bulk of aircraft delivered in 2025
Aircraft will be deployed on markets like EWR-BOG and EWR-EDI
752s will be replaced with 321XLRs
Some new routes that were not possible on 752s or 763s will be launched
Some routes operated with sub-optimal economics on 763s may switch to 321XLRs

This was also interesting speculation in the One Mile At A Time column:

The only new seat I know of that’s custom-made for the A321XLR is STELIA’s OPERA seat, which is essentially a modified reverse herringbone seat with a door. This looks great, especially for a narrow body aircraft, so my money would be on airlines like American and United selecting this as their business class seat.

Good find! Makes me wonder if the XLR will be more of a scaled down version if the hi-J 763. Lie flats take up a lot more room on a narrowbody. I can also see the premium Y be 2-2, probably 3-5 rows max. Interesting times ahead!

If they were consistent with other aircraft, I think the Premium Plus will be 2-3. That will still be a comfortable section, and since these planes will probably rotate on some transcons routes, so that would be an upgrade. I would pay for Premium Plus on short transatlantic flights and transcons, and having 5 across would make it cheaper, allowing me to do it more often. 2-2 would essentially be a domestic first class seat, and I think UA would find too big a leap from current Y+. I hope that they also put Prem Plus on the Max10's for transcons.

Cmac787 · Sat Jan 08, 2022 1:23 am

Paint update
N73270 738-800 has entered AMA paint for Evo blue livery

Pinto · Sat Jan 08, 2022 3:14 am

TWA772LR wrote:
ILikeTrains wrote:
This may be beating a dead horse, but the rumored 787-10HGW looks like a perfect 77E replacement. It could probably be bought in numbers great enough to cancel their A350 orders, albeit the engine contract may force them into getting RR. Not advantageous, but it would be a large fleet anyway, and preserve the common type rating.

I wonder if this HGW 78J can do EWR-HKG without penalty. Not that it matters since it'll be 77W territory for a long time, but not a bad benchmark.

EWR - HKG might be a stretch for it, however before UA officially launched the 78J it was substituted on IAD - PEK, which is 1,100 shorter that EWR - HKG. With the upgrades it could be possible. Ultimately I think UA would keep a 77W or 77E for the cargo potential that the 78J wouldn't be able to offer.

United1 · Sat Jan 08, 2022 3:26 am

Pinto wrote:
TWA772LR wrote:
ILikeTrains wrote:
This may be beating a dead horse, but the rumored 787-10HGW looks like a perfect 77E replacement. It could probably be bought in numbers great enough to cancel their A350 orders, albeit the engine contract may force them into getting RR. Not advantageous, but it would be a large fleet anyway, and preserve the common type rating.

I wonder if this HGW 78J can do EWR-HKG without penalty. Not that it matters since it'll be 77W territory for a long time, but not a bad benchmark.

EWR - HKG might be a stretch for it, however before UA officially launched the 78J it was substituted on IAD - PEK, which is 1,100 shorter that EWR - HKG. With the upgrades it could be possible. Ultimately I think UA would keep a 77W or 77E for the cargo potential that the 78J wouldn't be able to offer.

Keep in mind the 78X was substituted for a 788 and flown using the 788s payload....so there was fairly substantial weight restriction on that flight.

TWA772LR · Sat Jan 08, 2022 3:28 am

cosyr wrote:
TWA772LR wrote:
adamblang wrote:
I think this might've been over in the network thread (and then been deleted because it's not network).

CraigAnderson yesterday found this Executive Traveler interview about the 321XLR.

There's since been some discussion about 321XLR configuration on One Mile At A Time:

Will get a new Polaris seat designed for single-aisle aircraft
Will have Premium Plus
Initial aircraft delivered in 2024, bulk of aircraft delivered in 2025
Aircraft will be deployed on markets like EWR-BOG and EWR-EDI
752s will be replaced with 321XLRs
Some new routes that were not possible on 752s or 763s will be launched
Some routes operated with sub-optimal economics on 763s may switch to 321XLRs

This was also interesting speculation in the One Mile At A Time column:

Good find! Makes me wonder if the XLR will be more of a scaled down version if the hi-J 763. Lie flats take up a lot more room on a narrowbody. I can also see the premium Y be 2-2, probably 3-5 rows max. Interesting times ahead!

If they were consistent with other aircraft, I think the Premium Plus will be 2-3. That will still be a comfortable section, and since these planes will probably rotate on some transcons routes, so that would be an upgrade. I would pay for Premium Plus on short transatlantic flights and transcons, and having 5 across would make it cheaper, allowing me to do it more often. 2-2 would essentially be a domestic first class seat, and I think UA would find too big a leap from current Y+. I hope that they also put Prem Plus on the Max10's for transcons.

That's pretty much how the Y+ is. In fact I think it's better because the ptv is larger and the foot rest is a godsend. If they can find a way to put 5 abreast, more power to them but it the middle seat would still suck and it wouldn't be as good of a feeling as the middles in a 2-4-2 config, IMO.

FlyHPN · Sat Jan 08, 2022 4:02 am

cosyr wrote:
TWA772LR wrote:
adamblang wrote:
I think this might've been over in the network thread (and then been deleted because it's not network).

CraigAnderson yesterday found this Executive Traveler interview about the 321XLR.

There's since been some discussion about 321XLR configuration on One Mile At A Time:

Will get a new Polaris seat designed for single-aisle aircraft
Will have Premium Plus
Initial aircraft delivered in 2024, bulk of aircraft delivered in 2025
Aircraft will be deployed on markets like EWR-BOG and EWR-EDI
752s will be replaced with 321XLRs
Some new routes that were not possible on 752s or 763s will be launched
Some routes operated with sub-optimal economics on 763s may switch to 321XLRs

This was also interesting speculation in the One Mile At A Time column:

Good find! Makes me wonder if the XLR will be more of a scaled down version if the hi-J 763. Lie flats take up a lot more room on a narrowbody. I can also see the premium Y be 2-2, probably 3-5 rows max. Interesting times ahead!

If they were consistent with other aircraft, I think the Premium Plus will be 2-3. That will still be a comfortable section, and since these planes will probably rotate on some transcons routes, so that would be an upgrade. I would pay for Premium Plus on short transatlantic flights and transcons, and having 5 across would make it cheaper, allowing me to do it more often. 2-2 would essentially be a domestic first class seat, and I think UA would find too big a leap from current Y+. I hope that they also put Prem Plus on the Max10's for transcons.

2-3 would make for an awkward aisle in the middle of the plane.

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