United Airlines fleet
, the United Airlines fleet consists of 1,055 mainline aircraft, the largest of any airline worldwide. United Airlines operates a mix of Airbus and Boeing narrow-body and all Boeing wide-body aircraft with more wide-bodies than any other North American passenger airline. The average age of United's fleet is 15.5 years.
Strategy
The "United Next" strategy introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic is United Airlines' plan to modernize and expand its fleet while enhancing operational efficiency and the passenger experience. Unlike other major U.S. airlines, United retained its wide-body aircraft during the pandemic, allowing the airline to meet the surge in travel demand, especially internationally as recovery progressed.Since 2021, United has placed orders for over 500 various narrow-body jets and 150 wide-body Boeing 787 Dreamliner jets as part of its strategy, which also includes retiring older mainline aircraft and at least 200 single-class regional jets.
The strategy emphasizes improving the passenger experience. United's "Signature Interior" concept features seatback entertainment systems with Bluetooth connectivity, power outlets at every seat, and larger overhead bins designed to accommodate a roller bag for each passenger. All new aircraft will include the updated interior, with retrofitting of existing mainline aircraft expected to be completed by 2025. United has also selected SpaceX's Starlink as its in-flight internet connectivity provider for mainline and two-class regional aircraft. This high-speed, low-latency satellite internet service will enable live streaming, cloud-based work applications, and gaming with complimentary access provided to all passengers.
United Airlines has also invested in and secured options for several aircraft under development. These include options to purchase 100 eVTOL aircraft from Archer Aviation and 200 eVTOL aircraft from Eve Air Mobility, a division of Embraer. Furthermore, the airline has committed to purchasing 100 ES-30 electric turboprop regional aircraft from Heart Aerospace, with options to purchase up to 50 more. United has also committed to purchasing 15 Boom Overture supersonic aircraft, with options to purchase up to 35 more.