en.Wedoany.com Reported - United Airlines plans to retire 80 aircraft in 2027 to make way for the Boeing 737 MAX 10 to enter its fleet. Chief Financial Officer Mike Leskinen confirmed during an earnings call that the airline will "accelerate" the retirement of older, less efficient aircraft to reduce costs and improve profit margins across the network.
The airline expects to receive up to 20 737 MAX 10 aircraft in 2027. The model has not yet received full certification from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) but is expected to be completed by the end of 2026.
Leskinen said that accelerating the retirement of 80 aircraft next year will help balance capacity with demand while ensuring the fleet is equipped with upgraded interiors more quickly. In addition to improving fuel efficiency and operational costs, new aircraft will standardize the passenger experience with the latest interiors.
If Boeing obtains MAX 10 certification on time, United Airlines will have waited a decade to receive its first MAX 10, which was originally scheduled to enter service in 2020. The airline first ordered the aircraft in 2017 and currently holds 167 firm orders for the MAX 10, planning to take delivery of up to 20 in 2027. Leskinen said this move will "maximize" profits and return on invested capital. Due to the long wait, United Airlines turned to Airbus, ordering over 250 aircraft, choosing the A321neo as a substitute, and converting some MAX 10 orders to the smaller MAX 9, which has now become the most numerous model in its fleet, with over 160 in service. Chief Commercial Officer Andrew Nocella said the MAX 10 will feature more premium seats than the aircraft it replaces and will be deployed on the most important routes. The Boeing 737 MAX 7 is expected to receive certification as early as this summer, while the MAX 10 is planned for certification by the end of 2026. The aircraft manufacturer was recently re-granted full authority to self-certify its 737 MAX and 787 Dreamliner aircraft before delivery, a power that was revoked after two 737 MAX crashes in October 2018 and March 2019.
United Airlines has been updating its onboard products, investing heavily in retrofits to increase premium seat capacity and standardize cabins, including updating seatback entertainment screens and expanding overhead bin space, as part of the "United Next" plan. The latest premium-focused aircraft, such as the Boeing 787-9 and Airbus A321XLR, feature "Elevated" interiors, including Polaris seats. The airline is also adopting Starlink across its fleet, aiming to equip nearly 1,000 aircraft with hardware by the end of the year. CEO Scott Kirby said more than 450 aircraft have already been installed, and these aircraft have Wi-Fi satisfaction scores more than double those of the rest of the fleet.
