United Airlines has reached a significant milestone in its fleet expansion, boasting a total of 1,052 mainline commercial passenger aircraft as of early 2025. This achievement marks the airline’s ascent past the 1,000 aircraft threshold, which it surpassed in January. Despite retiring some older models, United has continued to grow its fleet, reflecting its robust position in the competitive aviation market.
Diverse Aircraft Portfolio
The diversity within United Airlines’ fleet is noteworthy, encompassing a mix of aircraft from both Boeing and Airbus. While all of United’s widebody aircraft are sourced from Boeing, including the 767, 777, and 787 families, the airline also operates a selection of narrowbody models from Airbus, specifically the A320 family.
In terms of widebody operations, United Airlines relies on three Boeing twinjet families. The 767 series, which includes 37 767-300ER and 16 767-400ER aircraft, is among the oldest in the fleet, averaging 29.6 and 24.1 years, respectively. The airline’s 777 family features 19 777-200 and 55 777-200ER jets, with average ages of 28.6 and 25.6 years, while the 777-300ER variants are relatively newer at an average age of 7.8 years.
United’s 787 fleet consists of 12 787-8 aircraft averaging 12.3 years old, alongside the 787-9 and 787-10 models, which are notably younger, averaging 6.7 and 5.3 years, respectively. The airline is also looking to enhance its operations with an A350 order under consideration, while simultaneously upgrading the interiors of select 787-9 jets to provide a more premium experience for passengers.
Narrowbody Expansion with Airbus and Boeing
United Airlines’ narrowbody fleet currently showcases models from Airbus, specifically the A320ceo and A320neo families. The airline operates 46 A321neos and has placed orders for an additional 206, including 50 A321XLRs. The older A320ceo family is also part of United’s operations, with the A319-100 model averaging 24 years and the A320-200 model averaging 25.8 years.
On the Boeing side, United Airlines has a strong preference for the 757 series, operating 40 757-200 and 21 757-300 aircraft, which are aged at 28.7 and 23.2 years on average. The airline’s most varied narrowbody offering comes from the 737NG family, including the 737-700, 737-800, 737-900, and 737-900ER variants.
Looking ahead, the future of United’s narrowbody operations will likely hinge on the 737 MAX family, particularly the MAX 9, which is expected to surpass the 737-900ER in numbers. Currently, United Airlines has 111 MAX 9 aircraft, averaging just three years old, along with 123 MAX 8 jets with an average age of 2.8 years, signaling a strategic shift towards modern, fuel-efficient aircraft.
As United Airlines continues to adapt its fleet to meet evolving market demands, the airline’s commitment to enhancing passenger experience and operational efficiency remains evident. This focus will position United well for growth in the coming decade and beyond.
