The airline's fleet is not just one of the largest on the planet, but it is also an extremely dynamic fleet, allowing the carrier to serve almost any route nonstop with exactly the capacity it is looking to operate with on a given flight.
While some airlines (particularly low-cost carriers) have benefitted by operating fleets consisting of just one or two types of aircraft, United has gone in the opposite direction, using fleet diversity to its advantage.
Like some airlines, United has phased out many of its older models in favor of newer fuel-efficient jets. Nonetheless, some United Airlines jets are incredibly old, at least by the industry's standards.
Currently, the average age of the airline's fleet is 15.9 years, according to data from aviation analytics company Cirium. This means that United has one of the oldest fleets on average worldwide. However, this begs an interesting question. What exactly is the oldest aircraft in United's fleet?
A Boeing 767-300ER currently stands as the oldest aircraft in the airline's fleet
Currently, the oldest jet that you can still fly on that is operating for United Airlines is a Boeing 767-300ER which first took to the skies in United colors back in 1991, more than 33 years ago. Delivered in April of that year, the aircraft registered as N641UA currently stands as the airline's oldest.
This jet typically serves routes within the airline's transatlantic network, as well as some services all the way out to the Hawaiian Islands.
The next three oldest aircraft in the airline's fleet are also Boeing 767-300ER jets, which were all delivered in May 1991.
A deeper look at United's long-term fleet strategy
The United Airlines long-term fleet strategy does eventually call for the retirement of older aircraft, as the airline is looking to modernize its fleet and improve operational efficiency through its "United Next" fleet strategy.
While competitors downsized their fleets during the C.O.V.I.D.-.1.9 pandemic, United Airlines did not retire any wide-body jets, using capital infusions to help maintain the airline's assets until international travel recovered to pre-pandemic levels. The airline has insisted many times that it believes maintaining a fleet of modern widebody jets is essential for maintaining a strong passenger experience.
The airline has also emphasized that it is maintaining a focus on the passenger experience as a core element of its "United Next" strategy, as it will make sure that all new aircraft have the airline's signature interior and that all older aircraft are retrofitted with new cabins.
The airline also plans to enhance its entertainment offerings by ensuring that seatback screens can connect to Bluetooth and that power outlets will be available at every seat.
These new widebodies will also feature larger overhead bins, meaning that each passenger will be able to have a large roller bag onboard the aircraft.
United Airlines will also be partnering with Elon Musk's SpaceX Starlink system, which will offer high-quality internet on all aircraft, giving passengers the ability to do everything from office work to gaming on this complimentary Wi-Fi network.
Looking towards the future
United Airlines does not just have its sights on conventional aircraft to serve as the future of the airline's fleet. The airline has continued to invest in cutting-edge technologies, to position itself as a leader in the future of air travel.
For starters, the carrier has placed purchase options for 100 electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft from Archer Aviation and an additional 200 aircraft from Eve Air Mobility, a subdivision of Embraer.
These aircraft will enable short-distance air mobility, helping United's highest-spending tier of passengers get efficiently from downtown offices to hubs like Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) and Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD).
Across the board, United Airlines has its priorities in order, and it has defined a pathway forward for its fleet. In the short term, the airline will retrofit existing aircraft to offer modern, comfortable cabins.
In the long term, it is looking to break barriers and shatter norms by introducing next-generation sustainable technologies and supersonic jets. United Airlines is betting big on its future, and the airline's fleet development strategy is a key element of its growth picture.
A deeper look at the Boeing 767-300ER
The Boeing 767-300ER, which currently stands as the oldest aircraft in United's fleet, is one of the later models of the airline's Boeing 767 family.
The model was designed to build upon the success of the earlier Boeing 767-300 by offering an extended range, and the jet entered service with American Airlines in 1988. Here are some specifications for the Boeing 767-300ER:
The aircraft was powered by a pair of advanced Pratt & Whitney PW4000, General Electric CF6, or Rolls-Royce RB211 engines, and the jet could be set up with several different cabin configurations, making it popular with airlines looking for operational flexibility.
The jet debuted on long-haul routes like New York John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG), finding instant success.
Long-haul orders for the model continued to pour in, and the jet quickly became the most commercially successful variant of the Boeing 767 family, with over 580 units being delivered to customers over the years, according to documents from manufacturer Boeing.
Over 370 models remained in service before the C.O.V.I.D.-.1.9 pandemic, although many carriers did elect to retire older 767-300ER models amid cost-cutting and fleet modernization efforts.
