United Airlines fleet
As of 6 December 2024[update], the United Airlines fleet consists of 987 mainline aircraft, making it one of the two largest commercial airline fleets in the world, along with Delta Air Lines.[1][2][3][4] United Airlines operates a mix of Airbus and Boeing narrow-body and all Boeing wide-body aircraft. Additionally, United operates more widebody aircraft than any other U.S. carrier.[5]
With an average age of 16.3 years, United has the oldest fleet of all major US airlines.[citation needed] Their oldest planes are the Boeing 767-300ER from the early 1990s, which are between 30 and 32 years old;[citation needed] however, United recently[when?] placed several orders for new narrow-body and wide-body aircraft and are expecting over 700 new planes in their fleet by 2033.
Fleet strategy
[edit]On July 20, 2011, American Airlines announced an order for 460 narrow-body jets, including 260 Airbus A320s.[6] This order broke Boeing's monopoly with the airline and forced Boeing to proceed with plans for the re-engined 737 MAX.[7] The contract with American included a Most-Favoured-Customer Clause, which requires Airbus to refund to American any difference between the price paid by American and the price paid by United or another airline, if lower. The clause acts to perpetuate United having a Boeing-skewed fleet.[8]
On September 22, 2012, United became the first American airline to take delivery of the Boeing 787 aircraft.[9] United is also the North American launch customer for the Boeing 787-9[10] and 787-10 aircraft,[11] which are stretched versions of the base 787-8 model, delivered at launch.
In May 2018, United planned to replace its 51 Boeing 767s in a deal potentially worth $14 billion at list prices, and was in talks with both Airbus and Boeing, for their A330neo and 787.[12] United operates 128 757s and 767s (77 757s and 51 767s), the second-largest combined fleet after Delta Air Lines with 206 (127 757s and 79 767s). Both have to replace them; they could be replaced by 737 MAX 10s, A321neos, Boeing NMAs, 787-8s, or A330neos.[13]
On June 3, 2021, United announced that a deal had been confirmed with Boom Supersonic to purchase at least 15 of their Overture supersonic airliners and potentially up to 50 in total. These aircraft will be flown on 100% sustainable fuels. The aircraft is intended to enter service with United in 2029 and is expected to be the first supersonic airliner to fly domestically for an airline since the Concorde was retired with British Airways and Air France in 2003.[14]
On June 29, 2021, United announced an order for 270 aircraft valued at around $15 billion: 150 737 MAX 10 aircraft, 50 737 MAX 8 aircraft, and 70 A321neo aircraft.[15] United also announced the rollout of the "Signature Interior" which will include video screens on every seat. New aircraft will enter the fleet with the Signature Interior, while all mainline aircraft will be retrofitted with the interior by 2025.[16] United has also announced the retirement of older mainline aircraft and at least 200 single-class regional aircraft.
Current fleet
[edit]As of November 2024[update], United Airlines operates the following mainline aircraft:[17][18]
Aircraft | In service |
Orders | Passengers | Notes | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
J | F | W | Y+ | Y | Total | Refs | ||||
Airbus A319-100 | 81 | — | — | 12 | — | 36 | 78 | 126 | [19] | |
Airbus A320-200 | 79 | — | — | 12 | — | 42 | 96 | 150 | [20] | |
Airbus A321neo | 25 | 145 | — | 20 | — | 57 | 123 | 200 | [21][22] | Deliveries until 2032.[23] |
Airbus A321XLR | — | 50 | TBA | Deliveries start in 2025.[18] To replace Boeing 757-200.[24] | ||||||
Airbus A350-900 | — | 45 | TBA
|
Deliveries deferred to 2030, at the earliest.[25] | ||||||
Boeing 737-700 | 40 | — | — | 12 | — | 36 | 78 | 126 | [26] | |
Boeing 737-800 | 141 | — | — | 16 | — | 54 | 96 | 166 | [27] | |
48 | 102 | |||||||||
42 | 108 | |||||||||
Boeing 737-900 | 12 | — | — | 20 | — | 45 | 114 | 179 | [28] | |
Boeing 737-900ER | 136 | — | — | 20 | — | 45 | 114 | 179 | ||
42 | 117 | |||||||||
39 | 120 | |||||||||
Boeing 737 MAX 8 | 107 | 16 | — | 16 | — | 54 | 96 | 166 | [27] | |
Boeing 737 MAX 9 | 83 | 140 | — | 20 | — | 45 | 114 | 179 | [28] | Largest operator.[29] |
Boeing 737 MAX 10 | — | 167 | — | 20 | — | 64 | 104 | 188 | [30] | Launch customer.[31] Deliveries not expected until after 2025.[18] |
Boeing 757-200 | 40 | — | 16 | — | — | 42 | 118 | 176 | [32] | To be retired and replaced by Airbus A321XLR.[24] |
Boeing 757-300 | 21 | — | — | 24 | — | 54 | 156 | 234 | [33] | Largest operator.[16] |
Boeing 767-300ER | 13 | — | 30 | — | 24 | 32 | 113 | 199 | To be retired by 2030 and replaced by Boeing 787.[34] | |
24 | 46 | 22 | 43 | 56 | 167 | |||||
Boeing 767-400ER | 16 | — | 34 | — | 24 | 48 | 125 | 231 | [35] | |
Boeing 777-200 | 19 | — | — | 28 | — | 102 | 234 | 364 | [36] | Launch customer.[37] Domestic configuration.[38] |
Boeing 777-200ER | 51 | — | 50 | — | 24 | 46 | 156 | 276 | [36] | |
4 | — | 32 | — | 124 | 206 | 362 | Domestic configuration.[39] | |||
Boeing 777-300ER | 22 | — | 60 | — | 24 | 62 | 204 | 350 | [40] | |
Boeing 787-8 | 12 | 148 | 28 | — | 21 | 36 | 158 | 243 | [41] | Order with 50 options.[42] To replace Boeing 767 and older Boeing 777s.[34] |
Boeing 787-9 | 40 | 48 | — | 21 | 39 | 149 | 257 | [43] | ||
Boeing 787-10 | 21 | 44 | — | 21 | 54 | 199 | 318 | [44] | ||
Boom Overture | — | 15 | TBA | Order with 35 options.[45] | ||||||
Total | 987 | 726 |
Gallery
[edit]
Historical fleet
[edit]Aircraft | Total | Introduced | Retired | Replacement | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Boeing 40A | Unknown | 1927 | 1937 | Unknown | Launch customer. Operated by Boeing Air Transport[46] and Varney Air Lines. |
Boeing 80A | Unknown | 1928 | 1934 | Unknown | Launch customer. Operated by Boeing Air Transport. |
Boeing 247 | 59[47] | 1933 | 1942 | Unknown | Launch customer. All base models were built for United Airlines.[48] |
Boeing 377 Stratocruiser | 7[47] | 1950 | 1954 | Unknown | |
Boeing 720 | 29[47] | 1960 | 1976 | Boeing 727 | Launch customer. |
Boeing 727-100 | 126 | 1963 | 1993 | Boeing 737-500 | Two crashed as Flight 389 and Flight 227. |
Boeing 727-200 | 104 | 1968 | 2001 | Airbus A320 family Boeing 737 NG Bombardier CRJ-700 |
One crashed as Flight 266. |
Boeing 737-200 | 101 | 1968 | 2001 | Launch customer. Two crashed as Flight 553 and Flight 585. | |
Boeing 737-300 | 103 | 1986 | 2009 | ||
Boeing 737-500[49] | 73 | 1990 | 2009 | ||
29 | 2010 | 2013 | Former Continental Airlines fleet. | ||
Boeing 747-100 | 23 | 1970 | 1999 | Boeing 747-400 Boeing 777-200ER |
One was damaged as Flight 811, but was later repaired and re-registered as N4724U. Another was damaged as Flight 826. |
Boeing 747-200B | 10 | 1987 | 2000 | ||
Boeing 747SP | 11 | 1985 | 1995 | Boeing 747-400 Boeing 767-300ER Boeing 777-200 |
Former Pan Am fleet. |
Boeing 747-400 | 44 | 1989 | 2017 | Boeing 777-300ER Boeing 787 Dreamliner |
Largest operator of Boeing 747-400 in United States. One leased by Mahan Air. |
Boeing 767-200 | 19 | 1982 | 2005 | Boeing 757-200 Boeing 767-300ER |
Launch customer. Many were later upgraded to -ER standards. One hijacked and crashed into South Tower of the World Trade Center as Flight 175, as part of the September 11 attacks. |
Boeing 767-200ER[50] | 10 | 2010 | 2013 | Former Continental Airlines fleet. | |
Convair 340 | 52 | 1952 | 1968 | Unknown | |
Douglas DC-3 | 118 | 1936 | 1956 | Convair 340 | |
Douglas DC-4 | 36 | 1946 | 1957 | Unknown | |
Douglas DC-4E | Unknown | ||||
Douglas DC-6 | 90 | 1946 | 1969 | Unknown | |
Douglas DC-6B | Unknown | ||||
Douglas DC-7 | 57 | 1954 | 1966 | Unknown | |
Douglas DC-8-10 | 2 | 1959 | 1961 | None | Two crashed as Flight 826 and Flight 859. |
Douglas DC-8-20 | 30 | 1959 | 1982 | Boeing 727-200 | |
McDonnell Douglas DC-8-30 | 11 | 1967 | 1974 | ||
McDonnell Douglas DC-8-50 | 18 | 1959 | 1983 | ||
15 | 1964 | 1987 | None | Cargo fleet. Two crashed as Flight 2860 and Flight 2885. | |
McDonnell Douglas DC-8-60 | 41 | 1967 | 1991 | Boeing 757-200 | One crashed as Flight 173. |
McDonnell Douglas DC-8-70 | |||||
Ford Trimotor | Unknown | 1931 | Unknown | Unknown | Operated on a transcontinental route between New York City and San Francisco.[51] |
Laird Swallow J-5 | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Single seat biplane used to carry US Air Mail (CAM 5) by predecessor Varney Air Lines.[52] |
Lockheed L-1011 TriStar | 6 | 1986 | 1989 | Boeing 747-100 McDonnell Douglas DC-10-30 |
Former Pan Am fleet.[citation needed] All aircraft were sold to Delta Air Lines.[citation needed] |
McDonnell Douglas DC-10-10 | 48 | 1971 | 2001 | Boeing 757-200 Boeing 767-300ER Boeing 777-200 |
Launch customer. One crashed as Flight 232. |
McDonnell Douglas DC-10-30 | 7 | 1983 | 2001 | ||
4 | 1997 | None | Converted into freighters for the short-lived "United Airlines Worldwide Cargo" service. | ||
Sud Aviation Caravelle | 20 | 1961 | 1970 | Boeing 727 Boeing 737-200 |
Only U.S. operator in scheduled passenger service. Used to operate "Executive" service between Chicago and Newark restricted to men only passengers. Also operated on other United domestic services. |
Vickers Viscount | 48 | 1961 | 1969 | Former Capital Airlines aircraft. Only mainline turboprop aircraft type ever operated by United Airlines. |
References
[edit]- ^ "American Airlines fleet details". flightradar24.com. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
- ^ "Delta Air Lines Fleet details". flightradar24.com. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
- ^ "United Airlines Fleet Details". flightradar24.com. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
- ^ "UNITED Fleet Website - United Mainline Fleet". sites.google.com. Retrieved 2024-11-25.
- ^ Lomas, Chris (2023-12-20). "United Airlines' oldest and newest aircraft". Flightradar24 Blog. Retrieved 2024-10-28.
- ^ Memmott, Mark (2011-07-20). "American Airlines Places 'Largest Aircraft Order In Aviation History'". NPR. Archived from the original on August 14, 2017. Retrieved 2023-10-31.
- ^ "American Orders 460 Narrow Jets from Boeing and Airbus". The New York Times. July 20, 2011. Archived from the original on June 18, 2018. Retrieved October 5, 2017.
- ^ Russell, Edward (October 4, 2017). "United goes airframer 'agnostic' on future orders". Flightglobal. Archived from the original on August 11, 2018. Retrieved October 5, 2017.
- ^ "Boeing Delivers United Airlines' First 787 Dreamliner". MediaRoom. Archived from the original on April 30, 2019. Retrieved April 29, 2019.
- ^ "Boeing Delivers First North American 787-9 Dreamliner to United Airlines". Boeing. September 4, 2014. Archived from the original on December 1, 2017. Retrieved November 29, 2017.
- ^ "Boeing Launches 787-10 Dreamliner". Boeing. June 18, 2013. Archived from the original on October 5, 2017. Retrieved November 29, 2017.
- ^ Hepher, Tim; Wise, Alana (May 8, 2018). "Exclusive: United Airlines in talks to buy wide-body jets – sources". Reuters. Archived from the original on May 10, 2018. Retrieved May 10, 2018.
- ^ Russell, Edward (June 11, 2018). "United weighs timing on 757 and 767 replacements". Flightglobal. Archived from the original on June 21, 2018. Retrieved June 12, 2018.
- ^ "Transport – Supersonic Flight. The Bigger Picture: Boom Supersonic XB-1". Engineering & Technology. 15 (11): 14–15. December 1, 2020. doi:10.1049/et.2020.1130. ISSN 1750-9637. S2CID 242355223.
- ^ Koenig, David (2021-06-29). "United Orders 270 Jets to Replace Old Ones, Plan for Growth". Associated Press. Archived from the original on April 29, 2022. Retrieved 2023-10-31.
- ^ a b "United Adds 270 Boeing and Airbus Aircraft to Fleet, Largest Order in Airline's History and Biggest by a Single Carrier in a Decade". United Hub. 2021-06-29. Retrieved 2021-10-19.
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- ^ a b c "Form 10-Q". United Airlines Holdings, Inc. March 31, 2024. p. 19. Retrieved April 17, 2024.
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- ^ "United Airlines purchases more new planes, eyeing fewer, larger flights". Chicago Tribune. 3 October 2023.
- ^ "United Airlines Announces First-Quarter 2024 Financial Results; Exceeds Revenue and EPS Expectations". United Newsroom. April 16, 2024. Retrieved April 16, 2024.
- ^ Schlappig, Ben (2023-09-10). "United Airlines Airbus A321neo Enters Service Late 2023". One Mile at a Time. Retrieved 2023-09-15.
- ^ a b Rains, Taylor. "United executive said the new Airbus A321XLR will replace Boeing 757 routes and open new ones". Business Insider. Retrieved 2024-10-07.
- ^ "United Airlines makes big Boeing order, including 100 787 Dreamliners". Reuters. December 13, 2022. Retrieved December 13, 2022.
- ^ "Boeing 737-700". United.com. Retrieved April 10, 2017.
- ^ a b "Boeing 737-800 (738)". United.com. Retrieved November 15, 2014.
- ^ a b "Boeing 737-900". United.com. Retrieved September 14, 2019.
- ^ "Boeing: Orders and Deliveries (updated monthly)". Boeing. December 31, 2023. Archived from the original on January 12, 2021. Retrieved January 9, 2024.
- ^ "United Adds 270 Boeing and Airbus Aircraft to Fleet, Largest Order in Airline's History and Biggest by a Single Carrier in a Decade". United Hub. 29 June 2021. Retrieved June 29, 2021.
- ^ "United Airlines Orders 200 More Boeing 737 MAX Jets". MediaRoom. Retrieved 2023-09-21.
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- ^ "Boeing 757-300 (753)". United.com. Retrieved September 25, 2019.
- ^ a b "United Airlines Unveils Historic Order to Purchase Up To 200 New Boeing Widebody Planes" (Press release). United Airlines. December 13, 2022. Retrieved 2024-02-09.
- ^ "Boeing 767-400ER (764)". United.com. Retrieved March 26, 2013.
- ^ a b "777-200". United.
- ^ "The Boeing 777 Program Background". Boeing. Archived from the original on June 8, 2009. Retrieved June 6, 2009.
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- ^ "Boeing 777-300ER (77W)". United.com. Retrieved September 24, 2020.
- ^ "Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner". United.com. Retrieved March 8, 2020.
- ^ "United Airlines orders 100 Boeing 787 Dreamliners, with options for 100 more". ABC News. Retrieved 2023-09-21.
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- ^ "Boom - United". Boom. Retrieved 2024-07-15.
- ^ Bohl, Walt: Boeing model 40 and its descendants
- ^ a b c United: The Main Line Airway by George Cearley, Jr
- ^ Seely, Victor J. (1991-12-01). The Boeing 247: the first modern airliner. University of Washington Press. ISBN 9780295970943. Retrieved May 3, 2010 – via Google Books.
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- ^ "Swallow". united.com. October 3, 2002. Archived from the original on October 3, 2002. Retrieved April 10, 2017.
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Bibliography
[edit]- Taylor, H. A. "Boeing's Trend-Setting 247". Air Enthusiast, No. 9, February–May 1979, pp. 43–54. ISSN 0143-5450.