United Airlines May Retire 777s & 767s

United Airlines could consider retiring aircraft types such as the 767 and 777, which are showing signs of age, to better cope with challenges.

Comments confirmed by Andrew Nocella, the Executive Vice President and CCO, were in response to the international markets and the heightened risks associated with it.

United says it has confidently developed an order book that’ll support growth and renew the fleet; however, it’s more than aware of the many operational challenges it faces as the 2020s continue.

As a result, planes such as the 767 and 777, especially those on the older end of the spectrum, are viewed as aircraft that could be removed from the fleet if things continue to change.

The airline states that the current trend of economic uncertainty has led to a reduction in its capacity across the U.S., resulting in a 4-point cut in its network from its original plan, with the effects expected to be felt in the third quarter.

The United Airlines Fleet

United Airlines has a fleet that averages 15.8 years of age across its mainline division. Moreover, with over 1,000 aircraft in its fleet, this airline has a significant impact not just on the U.S. industry but also on many other global markets.

However, United has remained committed to reducing the average age of its fleet over recent times to become more efficient and substantially lower expenses.

Among the airline’s oldest fleet types are the 757 and 767, which both average around 26 to 27 years, with the 777 closely following at almost 22 years.

These average ages exclude an honourable mention for the A320 family, where commitments exist to the previous generation A319 and A320, both of which are over 20 years old. The introduction of the A321neo will help remove these planes.

The transition to next-generation planes for United hasn’t been easy, as the company has continued to battle supply chain woes. However, its attempts have been made very clear.

When the COVID-19 pandemic arrived, many argued that it presented an opportunity for airlines to retire older planes and begin the transition to newer ones. United attempted to follow this theme but has struggled to do so.

A Planned Retirement

Discussion of the airline’s upcoming retirement of aircraft follows confirmation that 21 aircraft will depart the airline earlier than previously planned, as reported in the recent quarterly report.

Compounded by the mandatory grounding of aircraft driven by engine reliability concerns and planemakers’ inability to deliver planes on time, United says entering a new era may be more challenging.

Moreover, with tensions towards the United States rising, United Airlines is also wary of how its performance will fare across specific markets as forward bookings show signs of drops in certain countries.

Internally, United Airlines has already confirmed the axing of services across its domestic network as soon as July 2025 due to what it describes as softer demand.

The domestic capacity cut aligns with United’s public commentary on ongoing political tensions, uncertainty, and other factors that have prevented customers from booking flights with the same confidence they may have once had.