United planning B767 and B777-replacements

During so called "townhall meetings", members of the United Airlines management team has said the airline is looking into replacing its Boeing B767-300ER/-400ERs and B777-200(ER)s with newer generation aircraft. The airline hopes to have made decisions at the end of this year.

Currently, United operates a fleet of 37 B767-300ERs, sixteen B767-400ERs and 74 B777-200s. Under consideration are the usual suspects from Airbus (A330neo/A350) and Boeing (B787). According to the management team members speaking, replacing the Boeing B767 is the biggest challenge as the potential replacements, the A330neo and B787, offer too much capabilities for the missions the B767s are used for.

United already operates a considerable fleet of B787s, consisting of twelve B787-8s, 38 B787-9s and thirteen B787-10s. It also expects to take delivery of eight more B787-10s in the coming months. Next to this, the airline also has orders with Airbus for 45 A350-900s but this order has been deferred multiple times, sparking rumours that the airline wants out of this deal or, at least, renegotiate the order.

Photo by United Airlines.