I’m sure you’ve seen the moans about the new Basic Economy tickets that have been flying around today which United Airlines will be introducing.
But I’m not going to talk about that – rather, I’m going to be looking at the planes United Airline will be flying those Basic Economy seats on.
The main focus appears to be on the short-haul fleet with Boeing 737s and Embraers mentioned.
Currently United Airlines hold orders for 65 Boeing 737-700 series aircraft.
United Airlines Boeing 737-700 at Chicago O’Hare – Image, Economy Class and Beyond.
These will been converted into four Boeing 737-800 aircraft, whilst the remaining 61 are converted into 737 MAX aircraft.
United Airlines Boeing 737-800 at Washington Dulles International – Image, Economy Class and Beyond.
The exact subtype of 737 MAX has not been confirmed. This move by United will save money – reducing spending by US $1.6 billion through to 2018.
Meanwhile, United will buy 24 Embarer 175 aircraft directly from Embraer, rather than leasing them. These aircraft will be sub-leased to other carriers to fly as United Express
United Express Embraer 175 – Image, United Airlines/Embraer.
As to the Boeing 747s? I know some people have a love of this aircraft, others have a distinct hate (and in my opinion – it’s where you’re sat on the plane that will shape that opinion), United will aim to retire their fleet by 2018.
United Airlines Boeing 747-400 arriving into Chicago O’Hare – Image, Economy Class and Beyond
Currently, United operate 20 Boeing 747-400s. 8 of these will be removed in 2017, with the remainder gone by the end of 3rd Quarter of 2018.
United Airlines seems to have leveraged its threat to order Bombardier CSeries – with Boeing offering them Boeing 737-700s, and convert them into planes the actually need in a time frame they desire.
Not bad work for the accountants.
However, there is the thorny issue of United Basic Economy. I’ll be revisiting that soon enough…
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