Summary
- United Airlines’ fleet has grown rapidly with the addition of nearly two recent Boeing 737 MAX narrowbodies per week in 2023.
- United has essentially the most extensive fleet renewal and expansion program amongst American carriers, having ordered over 500 MAX aircraft and 150 787 Dreamliners.
United Airlines’ fleet grew rapidly in 2023, adding a mean of two recent Boeing 737 MAX narrowbodies weekly. Of all American carriers, United currently has essentially the most extensive fleet renewal and expansion program, having ordered greater than 500 MAX aircraft and 150 787 Dreamliners. In response to ch-aviation, United’s order book currently sits at greater than 700 aircraft, including 128 Airbus A321neos. Two of those Airbus narrowbodies have already been delivered to the airline.
Aircraft Tour: United Airlines’ First Airbus A321neo
That is the primary of greater than 100 aircraft that may join United’s fleet.
What number of MAX are within the fleet?
The Boeing 737 MAX aircraft family is essentially the most crucial a part of United’s future narrowbody fleet. Its previous generation 737s don’t get any younger and can must be replaced within the years to come back. The airline has chosen to proceed operating the lastest-generation 737 MAX. United currently has 76 MAX 8s in its fleet and one other 79 MAX 9s, deploying them on several domestic routes but additionally some international, like Bogota and Ponta Delgada (in the summertime).
The typical age for the MAX 8 fleet is 1.9 years, mainly as a result of some aircraft received before the COVID-19 pandemic. Forty-four MAX 8s were delivered in 2023 alone. Along with the 75 currently within the fleet, United expects to receive one other 60 of the kind, all coming from the factory with the brand new signature interior. The MAX 9 fleet is almost complete, with 79 of 84 aircraft already delivered, 23 of them this 12 months. The 79 MAX 9s have a mean age of two.3 years.
The most important variant of the MAX family, the -10, which has not yet been certified, will make up the biggest chunk of MAX aircraft in United’s fleet once deliveries are accomplished. United currently has 294 of the kind on order.
No Time Wasted: Boeing Starts 737 MAX 10 Certification Flights
While Boeing has had over 1,000 flight hours on the aircraft, now the FAA is joining them inflight.
Where the MAX are flying this month
As mentioned above, the MAX aircraft serve several domestic destinations in United’s network, along with international destinations. In response to data from Cirium, the busiest MAX route in December is between two United hubs, Los Angeles International Airport and George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston. United has 156 flights scheduled from LAX to IAH this month and one other 132 in the wrong way.
Photo: Lukas Souza | Easy Flying
The second-busiest route is from a United hub on the East Coast, at Newark Liberty International Airport. In December, United has 153 MAX flights scheduled from Fort Lauderdale International Airport to EWR, and 126 in the wrong way. In total, United has 47,107 seats available on MAX aircraft between Fort Lauderdale and Newark. The newest-generation Boeing 737s are also quite popular on the Newark – Miami International Airport route, with 139 flights from Miami to Newark and 108 returning to Newark.
Several routes will see only one 737 MAX flight this month, like Houston – Vancouver International Airport, Chicago O’Hare International Airport – Tucson International Airport, Los Angeles International Airport – Seattle Tacoma International Airport, and plenty of more. In total, there are 15,739 MAX flights and a pair of,715,959 available seats in December.