United Airlines has reached a significant milestone in its fleet expansion, surpassing the impressive mark of 1,000 mainline commercial passenger aircraft as of January 2025. According to data from ch-aviation, the airline currently operates a total of 1,052 aircraft, showcasing a diverse portfolio that includes both Boeing and Airbus models. Despite retiring some older aircraft earlier this year, United Airlines has experienced substantial net growth, reflecting its robust position in the competitive aviation market.
Overview of United’s Fleet
The airline’s fleet is characterized by a mix of narrowbody and widebody aircraft. In the widebody category, United Airlines relies exclusively on Boeing, operating three main families: the 767, 777, and 787. The Boeing 767 series features 37 767-300ER and 16 767-400ER aircraft, with average ages of 29.6 and 24.1 years, respectively. The 777 family includes 19 777-200 and 55 777-200ER aircraft, which average 28.6 and 25.6 years old. In contrast, United’s 22 777-300ERs are significantly younger, averaging just 7.8 years.
The 787 series is also a vital component of United’s operations, with 12 787-8 aircraft averaging 12.3 years, while the 787-9 and 787-10 models are even newer, with mean ages of 6.7 and 5.3 years, respectively. Looking ahead, United is evaluating its order for the Airbus A350 while simultaneously upgrading the interiors of certain 787-9 aircraft. The airline states, “We already deliver a superior international experience and fly to the most places across the Atlantic and Pacific – these new innovations provide a more premium experience overall, give customers even more reasons to choose United, and set our airline up to grow into the next decade and beyond.”
Narrowbody Aircraft: A Diverse Offering
United Airlines has a notable presence in the narrowbody segment, primarily featuring Airbus models. The airline currently operates both the A320ceo and A320neo families. Among its newer assets, United boasts 46 A321neo aircraft, with an additional 206 on order, including 50 A321XLRs. The older A320ceo family is represented by 81 A319-100 jets, averaging 24 years old, while the A320-200 model comprises 73 units, with an average age of 25.8 years.
On the Boeing side, United Airlines has a strong affinity for the manufacturer’s narrowbody options, particularly the iconic 757 series, which includes 40 757-200 and 21 757-300 aircraft. These jets have average ages of 28.7 and 23.2 years, respectively. The 737 family is the most diverse in United’s narrowbody lineup, featuring four variants. This includes the 40 units of the 737-700 with an average age of 26.2 years, 141 units of the 737-800 averaging 21.7 years, and 12 737-900 aircraft averaging 24.1 years. The 737-900ER variant is the youngest, with 136 units averaging just 12.68 years.
Looking to the future, United Airlines is set to enhance its narrowbody operations with the 737 MAX family. The MAX 9 is expected to eventually outnumber the 737-900ER, with 111 MAX 9 aircraft currently in service, averaging three years old, and an additional 112 units on order. Furthermore, United operates 123 examples of the 737 MAX 8, which average 2.8 years old, marking a shift towards newer, more efficient aircraft.
As United Airlines continues to expand its fleet and modernize its offerings, the airline remains well-positioned to meet the demands of an evolving market while enhancing passenger experience across its global network.
