United Airlines relies heavily on its Boeing 737 MAX fleet to serve high-demand domestic and international routes. The two primary variants of the 737 MAX, the MAX 8 and MAX 9, play a key role in delivering high seat capacity on routes that demand efficiency, reliability, and comfort.
Among the key metrics that define the performance of these routes is Available Seat Miles (ASM), a measure of an airline's passenger carrying capacity. ASMs are calculated by multiplying the number of seats available on a flight by the miles flown. The higher the ASM, the greater the route’s capacity and significance to United's network.
This article will explore the top seven MAX 8 and MAX 9 routes based on ASMs for November 2024, with data sourced from Cirium, an aviation analytics company.
United’s Boeing 737 MAX 8 operates on many important routes, but none ranks higher in terms of ASMs than the Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) to San Diego International Airport (SAN) route. With 59 flights and a total of 9,794 seats available in November, this route generates an impressive 23,750,450 ASMs, making it the highest ASM-producing route for the MAX 8. United’s efficiency in utilizing the aircraft’s 166-seat capacity per flight is evident on this transcontinental route.
Following closely is the San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Kahului Airport (OGG) route, which spans 2,338 miles. With 61 flights and a total of 10,126 seats available, this Hawaiian route generates 23,674,588 ASMs. United’s presence in the lucrative Hawaii market is reinforced by the MAX 8’s deployment on these long-range flights.
Further contributing to United's ASM dominance, the Fort Myers International Airport (RSW) to Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) route generates 22,870,152 ASMs over 129 operations. With 21,414 seats available, this route stands as a key player for United’s high-demand Florida operations, catering to both leisure and business travelers.
Another high-volume route is the return flight from EWR to RSW. With 128 flights (one less than the outbound leg), it has a total of 21,248 seats, generating 22,692,864 ASMs across a 1,068-mile journey. This route underscores United’s strong commitment to optimizing seat availability to meet the market's high demand.
Next is the Newark (EWR) to Fort Lauderdale (FLL) route, one of United's key routes on the MAX 8. This 2,222-mile route also operates 128 times in November, offering 21,248 seats and producing 22,692,120 ASMs, reflecting the importance of connecting key domestic cities.
The George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) to Bogotá (BOG) route is another international route for the MAX 8, operating 61 times with 10,126 total seats. Covering 2,222 miles, this route generates 22,499,972 ASMs, showcasing United’s reach into Central America.
Finally, rounding out the top seven MAX 8 routes by ASMs is the Fort Lauderdale (FLL) to Newark (EWR) route. It operates 127 times, with 21,082 total seats, generating 22,452,330 ASMs over 1,065 miles.
Top 7 Boeing 737 MAX 8 Routes by ASM:
- Newark (EWR) to San Diego (SAN) – 23,750,450 ASMs
- San Francisco (SFO) to Kahului (OGG) – 23,674,588 ASMs
- Fort Myers (RSW) to Newark (EWR) – 22,870,152 ASMs
- Newark (EWR) to Fort Myers (RSW) – 22,682,864 ASMs
- Newark (EWR) to Fort Lauderdale (FLL) to – 22,692,120 ASMs
- Houston (IAH) to Bogotá (BOG) to – 22,499,972 ASMs
- Fort Lauderdale (FLL) to Newark (EWR) – 22,452,330 ASMs
Turning to the Boeing 737 MAX 9 with 179 seats, United’s longest routes and highest ASM generators reflect its ability to serve key transcontinental and international routes. Leading the pack is the Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) to San Francisco International Airport (SFO) route, with 135 operations generating 58,455,135 ASMs. This route, with 24,165 available seats, showcases the strategic importance of connecting United's East Coast hub to its West Coast hub.
Second is the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) route, with 124 flights offering 22,196 seats. Covering 2,288 miles, this route generates a substantial 50,874,448 ASMs, reinforcing the significance of coast-to-coast travel for United’s domestic network.
Similarly, the return IAD-LAX route is a strong market for United, generating 50,374,896 ASMs across 123 operations. The 22,017 seats available underscore the significance of this connection, catering to both leisure and business travelers.
The San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Washington Dulles (IAD) route also ranks high, generating 50,228,116 ASMs. With 116 operations and 20,764 total seats, this route is a key connector between these important locations.
Coming up next (albeit with a big drop in ASMs from SFO-IAD) is the SFO to Orlando (MCO) route, with 35,887,710 ASMs. Operated 82 times in November 2024, there are 14,678 seats available in the month connecting the cities. On the flip side, the inbound route from MCO to SFO offers four fewer flights, but still generates a significant ASM of 34,137,090 across 78 flights with a total of 13,962 seats.
Rounding out the top seven MAX 9 routes, Houston (IAH) to San Francisco (SFO) also ranks highly, with 29,559,165 ASMs over 101 operations. With 18,079 available seats, this route taps into the strong demand for travel on this corridor.
Top 7 Boeing 737 MAX 9 Routes by ASM:
- Washington Dulles (IAD) to San Francisco (SFO) – 58,455,135 ASMs
- Los Angeles (LAX) to Washington Dulles (IAD) – 50,874,448 ASMs
- Washington Dulles (IAD) to Los Angeles (LAX) – 50,374,896 ASMs
- San Francisco (SFO) to Washington Dulles (IAD) – 50,228,116 ASMs
- San Francisco (SFO) to Orlando (MCO) – 35,887,710 ASMs
- Orlando (MCO) to San Francisco (SFO) – 34,137,090
- Houston (IAH) to San Francisco (SFO) – 29,559,165 ASMs
By focusing on ASMs, it’s clear that United’s Boeing 737 MAX fleet plays a crucial role in serving high-capacity domestic and international routes. These routes, ranging from coast-to-coast US flights to international vacation destinations, demonstrate the versatility and importance of the 737 MAX 8 and MAX 9 in United’s route network.
