United Airlines’ Use of Widebody Jets on Short-Haul Routes

United Airlines, the largest airline in the world by fleet size and passengers carried, has a unique strategy of flying widebody jets on short-haul routes within the United States. While most airlines use narrowbody jets for domestic flights, United often deploys its Boeing 777, 767, and 787 aircraft on routes that are less than three hours long. What are the reasons behind this practice?

One reason is that United operates a hub-and-spoke network model, which means that it connects most of its flights through its seven major hubs: Newark, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston, Washington, and Denver. These hubs have high demand for flights to and from other hubs, as well as to international destinations. By using widebody jets on these “trunk routes”, United can offer more seats and cargo capacity, as well as more premium products and services.

Another reason is that United faces a pilot and staff shortage due to the pandemic, which has forced many airlines to furlough or retire their employees. Widebody jets require fewer pilots and cabin crew than narrowbody jets, as they can carry more passengers with fewer flight segments. For example, a Boeing 777 can carry up to 396 passengers with two pilots and 10 cabin crew, while a Boeing 737 can carry up to 189 passengers with two pilots and four cabin crew.

The airline uses short-haul flights as an opportunity for maintenance cycles, which are required for every aircraft after a certain number of flight hours or landings. By flying widebody jets on short-haul routes, United can perform maintenance checks at its hubs or at nearby locations with lower labor costs. For instance, United flies its Boeing 767s from Houston to Quito, Ecuador, where it has a maintenance facility.

United has an aging widebody fleet that is nearing the end of its service life. Some of its Boeing 777s and 767s are over 20 years old and have higher fuel consumption and maintenance costs than newer models. By flying these jets on short-haul routes, United can reduce their wear and tear and extend their lifespan.

Some airlines use widebody jets for high-profile or flagship routes to enhance their brand image and attract premium travelers. United wants to offer more choices and flexibility to its customers, especially those who travel frequently or prefer more comfort and privacy. Widebody jets have more spacious cabins and amenities than narrowbody jets, such as lie-flat seats, larger overhead bins, personal entertainment systems, and Wi-Fi access.

These are some of the reasons why United Airlines flies widebody jets on short-haul routes. The strategy may seem unusual or inefficient at first glance, but it has some advantages for the airline and its customers.

Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, msn.com, simpleflying.com, united.com