United Airlines Optimistic About Boeing 737-10 Integration

United Airlines (UA) is increasingly optimistic about incorporating the Boeing 737-10 into its fleet, signaling a potential shift in its future aircraft strategy. During a recent investor call, Chief Financial Officer Mike Leskinen expressed renewed hope for the B737-10’s operational debut, which had previously been sidelined due to delivery delays.

“We like the B737-9s. The MAX 9 is a great aircraft, but we are seeing that Boeing is starting to make some real progress in improving their business. We are becoming more bullish on the MAX 10,” Leskinen stated. This positive outlook underscores United’s confidence in Boeing’s ability to enhance its business operations and deliver the necessary aircraft enhancements.

Chief Commercial Officer Andrew Nocella added, “Whether it is the MAX 9 or 10, our gauge is going to increase a lot. So the -10 would be great, but I’m counting on the -9 and the A321neo to achieve those plans. If we have the -10 available to us, that only helps us even further.” Nocella’s comments highlight United’s strategic approach to fleet expansion, balancing current aircraft capabilities with future enhancements.

Currently, United operates 85 Boeing 737-9s with 135 more on order. Additionally, the airline relies on the Airbus A321-200NX, operating 29 units with 121 on order, and the A321-200NY(XLR), with 50 units on order, to expand its capacity. These investments indicate United’s commitment to maintaining a robust and flexible fleet to meet growing demand.

In January 2024, United removed the B737-10 from its internal fleet plans after Boeing failed to meet contractual delivery deadlines. The initial agreement projected the delivery of up to eighty MAX 10s in 2024, seventy-one in 2025, and the remaining 126 in 2026 and beyond, as detailed in the airline’s 2023 annual report. However, recent developments suggest a potential revival of the B737-10 in United’s fleet strategy.

Boeing is actively working to certify both the B737-10 and the smaller B737-7 models. A recent regulatory filing revealed that Boeing is seeking a temporary regulatory exemption for a stall management yaw damper (SMYD) system on both aircraft types until October 2028, while updating the necessary analyses for software certification. This move could pave the way for the B737-10’s return to United’s fleet plans.

United’s mainline fleet currently consists of 1,010 aircraft, with a regional fleet of 422. The airline aims to increase both fleets to 1,054 and 428 respectively by the end of the year. This expansion includes acquiring up to seven additional Boeing 787s, fifteen Boeing 737 MAX, twenty-two Airbus A321neo, and six CRJs, while retiring some older Airbus A319-100s and A320-200s. These adjustments are part of United’s strategy to modernize its fleet and enhance operational efficiency.

Financially, United closed the year with a net profit of USD 3.1 billion, demonstrating strong performance despite industry challenges. Looking ahead to 2025, United plans to introduce nine new international destinations during the summer season. These destinations include eight cities not currently served by other US carriers: Ulaanbaatar International, Nuuk, Kaohsiung, Palermo International, Bilbao, Faro, Funchal, Puerto Escondido, and Dakar Blaise Diagne International. This expansion underscores United’s commitment to offering diverse travel options and tapping into new markets.

United Airlines’ renewed optimism regarding the Boeing 737-10 reflects broader strategic goals to enhance fleet capacity and flexibility. By balancing current aircraft investments with potential future additions, United aims to sustain its growth and meet increasing passenger demand. As Boeing continues to address certification challenges, the integration of the B737-10 could mark a significant milestone in United’s fleet modernization efforts.

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Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, ch-aviation.com