United Fleet Upgrade Status - 2018

iahcsr · Fri Jun 08, 2018 11:51 pm

jetmatt777 wrote:
Widobody comms panels are on the nose gear.

This is the only airplane I can think of that requires a ladder to disconnect the headset.

757 is also on the back of the nose gear.

Not a ladder but just a small step stool is needed. Someone at B didn’t think an eight inch increase in nose gear would put that panel out of reach it seems :crazy:

Wonder how difficult it would’ve been to design it further down on the fuselage the same eight inches?

jetmatt777 · Fri Jun 08, 2018 11:52 pm

Yes, but the company is installing ladders. We won’t be able to take stools out with us.

calpsafltskeds · Sat Jun 09, 2018 1:18 pm

39M:
N37502 2693/8Jun delayed SKF-IAH until this morning, 1st rev flight now 1644/9Jun IAH-MCO

753:
N77865 sked to exit RFD 2760/9Jun, should have slimlines, but not seen on seat map.

calpsafltskeds · Sun Jun 10, 2018 6:20 pm

772:
N788UA per FlightAware sked to exit XMN ferry to HKG 2731/13Jun, can't see seat map yet - Polaris? PE?
N798UA per FlightAware sked test hop 2698/13Jun at XMN - Polaris? PE?

mmahpeel · Sun Jun 10, 2018 9:12 pm

calpsafltskeds wrote:
772:
N788UA per FlightAware sked to exit XMN ferry to HKG 2731/13Jun, can't see seat map yet - Polaris? PE?
N798UA per FlightAware sked test hop 2698/13Jun at XMN - Polaris? PE?

N788UA - Polaris only as far as I have heard.

You must have meant N796UA, not N798UA. I have heard she has Polaris and Premium Plus.

jayunited · Mon Jun 11, 2018 10:47 pm

calpsafltskeds wrote:
772:
N788UA per FlightAware sked to exit XMN ferry to HKG 2731/13Jun, can't see seat map yet - Polaris? PE?
N798UA per FlightAware sked test hop 2698/13Jun at XMN - Polaris? PE?

N788UA does have Polaris installed but no PE, the seat map for N788UA is in Unimatic at this time.
From what I've been told N786UA, N788UA and N798UA will be the only 77E's coming out of XMN without PE. At some point PE will be installed on these aircraft I don't know the time frame but I was told there just wasn't enough time to manufacture the seats and get them installed in time with Polaris. However I have also been told all other 77E's will emerge from their reconfiguration with both Polaris and PE installed.

The current planned routing for N788UA is to have it return to revenue service:
6/14 UA896 HKG-ORD,
6/14 UA1995 ORD-EWR,
6/14 UA148 EWR-GRU,
6/15 UA844 GRU-ORD

As a result the current schedule call for N223UA to enter XMN on 6/13 however I have not been able to confirm if it is for Polaris and PE installation or just heavy maintenance.

LAXintl · Mon Jun 11, 2018 10:52 pm

Remember the first PE install will take additional time as it will require certification, in addition to a learning curve.

VC10er · Tue Jun 12, 2018 2:44 am

Does anyone have more images of the new PE seat other than that single image United released?

VC10er · Tue Jun 12, 2018 2:59 am

VC10er wrote:
Does anyone have more images of the new PE seat other than that single image United released?

All I can find is an article from TPG that shows it probably is the exact same PE seat as AA and Delta with different covering and potentially color (UA’s headrest actually look magenta to me!)

Then I saw Qantas and New Zealand and they look like they are a step up with padded leg rests or a more cradling back.

I do have some fairly recent UA amenity kits from Global First that have purple/magenta accents- but those are gone now -and today it’s a pre-dented tin on UA: so no 2 are alike!

iahcsr · Wed Jun 13, 2018 2:48 am

39M
N47505 hopped HOUSKF today. Last three of the six are now in WiFi.. All deliveries after this will have WiFi installed on FAL.( Which is MUCH faster/easier I presume)

calpsafltskeds · Wed Jun 13, 2018 5:10 am

772:
N788UA now showing Polaris configuration seat map for 896/14Jun.

VC10er · Wed Jun 13, 2018 2:56 pm

I’ve mentioned this before and got piled on, but I swear it “seems” like Polaris aircraft fares are higher than old diamond seats! I check the seat chart to see if the Polaris ac are almost full upfront and even when they are not, the fare is much higher than an old ac interior on the same route!
Also, seems like all windows go FAST on Polaris configuration ac.

codc10 · Wed Jun 13, 2018 4:14 pm

VC10er wrote:
I’ve mentioned this before and got piled on, but I swear it “seems” like Polaris aircraft fares are higher than old diamond seats! I check the seat chart to see if the Polaris ac are almost full upfront and even when they are not, the fare is much higher than an old ac interior on the same route!
Also, seems like all windows go FAST on Polaris configuration ac.

United is not publishing any difference in fare for "real" Polaris-equipped flights, nor are any aircraft being dedicated to particular routes aside from 77W service.

The window seats are strongly preferred in this configuration, though.

VC10er · Wed Jun 13, 2018 5:00 pm

codc10 wrote:
VC10er wrote:
I’ve mentioned this before and got piled on, but I swear it “seems” like Polaris aircraft fares are higher than old diamond seats! I check the seat chart to see if the Polaris ac are almost full upfront and even when they are not, the fare is much higher than an old ac interior on the same route!
Also, seems like all windows go FAST on Polaris configuration ac.

United is not publishing any difference in fare for "real" Polaris-equipped flights, nor are any aircraft being dedicated to particular routes aside from 77W service.

The window seats are strongly preferred in this configuration, though.

I can’t imagine that they would charge more for a 77W ride, but it certainly seemed that way when I was searching flights to Frankfurt from EWR.
I really do not understand airline pricing strategies other than the less seats there are- the more they will cost.
Prices have sure skyrocketed lately- that is for SURE! It’s like new apartments in NYC: who ARE these people with all this MONEY and where are they all coming from!?!

codc10 · Wed Jun 13, 2018 5:13 pm

VC10er wrote:
codc10 wrote:
VC10er wrote:
I’ve mentioned this before and got piled on, but I swear it “seems” like Polaris aircraft fares are higher than old diamond seats! I check the seat chart to see if the Polaris ac are almost full upfront and even when they are not, the fare is much higher than an old ac interior on the same route!
Also, seems like all windows go FAST on Polaris configuration ac.

United is not publishing any difference in fare for "real" Polaris-equipped flights, nor are any aircraft being dedicated to particular routes aside from 77W service.

The window seats are strongly preferred in this configuration, though.

I can’t imagine that they would charge more for a 77W ride, but it certainly seemed that way when I was searching flights to Frankfurt from EWR.
I really do not understand airline pricing strategies other than the less seats there are- the more they will cost.
Prices have sure skyrocketed lately- that is for SURE! It’s like new apartments in NYC: who ARE these people with all this MONEY and where are they all coming from!?!

United seems to limit P fare availability on EWR-FRA on its own metal, though I am not sure it's a function of demand for the Polaris seat. Similar fares (at that ~$2700 rt price point) are available on SQ JFK-FRA (though these are not upgradeable).

gsg013 · Wed Jun 13, 2018 9:55 pm

codc10 wrote:
VC10er wrote:
codc10 wrote:

United is not publishing any difference in fare for "real" Polaris-equipped flights, nor are any aircraft being dedicated to particular routes aside from 77W service.

The window seats are strongly preferred in this configuration, though.

I can’t imagine that they would charge more for a 77W ride, but it certainly seemed that way when I was searching flights to Frankfurt from EWR.
I really do not understand airline pricing strategies other than the less seats there are- the more they will cost.
Prices have sure skyrocketed lately- that is for SURE! It’s like new apartments in NYC: who ARE these people with all this MONEY and where are they all coming from!?!

United seems to limit P fare availability on EWR-FRA on its own metal, though I am not sure it's a function of demand for the Polaris seat. Similar fares (at that ~$2700 rt price point) are available on SQ JFK-FRA (though these are not upgradeable).

While you might think it is most likely due to the popularity of the aircraft I think the pricing strategy has to do with the ability for UA to charge more at peak times where there is most demand. It just so happens they put the biggest aircraft 77W at the peak time on that route. That's my guess.

For example if you look on DL going LAX-JFK on the same day there are one way Delta 1 seats available for $649 and then at a peak time departure that same D1 seat goes to ~$2000

LAXintl · Wed Jun 13, 2018 10:01 pm

PremiumPlus coming first to 772, then 77W. Rest of fleet TBA.
Until enough aircraft are converted will be treated as EconomyPlus section service wise for customers.

77H · Wed Jun 13, 2018 11:12 pm

LAXintl wrote:
PremiumPlus coming first to 772, then 77W. Rest of fleet TBA.
Until enough aircraft are converted will be treated as EconomyPlus section service wise for customers.

I wonder why purple/magenta was chosen over something within the existing UA color pallet? The economy and Polaris seats are a darker blue. A lighter blue like what is found on the website would look nice.

77H

gsg013 · Wed Jun 13, 2018 11:25 pm

LAXintl wrote:
PremiumPlus coming first to 772, then 77W. Rest of fleet TBA.
Until enough aircraft are converted will be treated as EconomyPlus section service wise for customers.

Question is that picture showing the Premium Plus with or without AVOD? (I would have to think it has AVOD but not from those pictures)

Also is the Premium Economy on UA, AA, and DL all essentially the exact same seat with just a different color palate? (Looks the same to me)

cosyr · Thu Jun 14, 2018 12:27 am

77H wrote:
LAXintl wrote:
PremiumPlus coming first to 772, then 77W. Rest of fleet TBA.
Until enough aircraft are converted will be treated as EconomyPlus section service wise for customers.

I wonder why purple/magenta was chosen over something within the existing UA color pallet? The economy and Polaris seats are a darker blue. A lighter blue like what is found on the website would look nice.

77H

I think it is bold. I loved Continental for their culture, but their marketing was squarely focused on business travel, so Professional and Neutral were the key words for their colors, blue and grey. It would be nice to see airlines get more into style again, like the 60's and 70's. Bold can be polarizing, but it's rarely boring. Also, Delta seems to have a monopoly on style in the US, so I think it's time that UA challenge them on that front. It could really help their image in other ways, subconsciously.

atcsundevil · Thu Jun 14, 2018 12:48 am

77H wrote:
LAXintl wrote:
PremiumPlus coming first to 772, then 77W. Rest of fleet TBA.
Until enough aircraft are converted will be treated as EconomyPlus section service wise for customers.

I wonder why purple/magenta was chosen over something within the existing UA color pallet? The economy and Polaris seats are a darker blue. A lighter blue like what is found on the website would look nice.

77H

I wonder if the color choice could be a peek into future branding.. :stirthepot:

cosyr · Thu Jun 14, 2018 1:30 am

atcsundevil wrote:
77H wrote:
LAXintl wrote:
PremiumPlus coming first to 772, then 77W. Rest of fleet TBA.
Until enough aircraft are converted will be treated as EconomyPlus section service wise for customers.

I wonder why purple/magenta was chosen over something within the existing UA color pallet? The economy and Polaris seats are a darker blue. A lighter blue like what is found on the website would look nice.

77H

I wonder if the color choice could be a peek into future branding..

As long as that doesn't spell the end of gold, because gold is their unique thing. I don't know how they would blend purple and gold.

ordpark · Thu Jun 14, 2018 4:22 am

Man...I'm getting tired of Chairs! LOL

gwrudolph · Thu Jun 14, 2018 2:47 pm

cosyr wrote:
77H wrote:
LAXintl wrote:
PremiumPlus coming first to 772, then 77W. Rest of fleet TBA.
Until enough aircraft are converted will be treated as EconomyPlus section service wise for customers.

I wonder why purple/magenta was chosen over something within the existing UA color pallet? The economy and Polaris seats are a darker blue. A lighter blue like what is found on the website would look nice.

77H

I think it is bold. I loved Continental for their culture, but their marketing was squarely focused on business travel, so Professional and Neutral were the key words for their colors, blue and grey. It would be nice to see airlines get more into style again, like the 60's and 70's. Bold can be polarizing, but it's rarely boring. Also, Delta seems to have a monopoly on style in the US, so I think it's time that UA challenge them on that front. It could really help their image in other ways, subconsciously.

Delta has a monopoly on style in the US??? That's your opinion and I don't agree. While I don't like all of the United branding elements, there are some pieces of it that are very, very nice. The new bulkheads for example, are very nice. Some of delta's branding doesn't look as rich and elegant in my opinion

calpsafltskeds · Thu Jun 14, 2018 3:11 pm

763:
N647UA, should be next into HKG is doing LHR flying until N651UA heads to mainland
N651UA cancelled again from HKG
N684UA may have made last flight for Hawaiian N588HA into HNL 6/13/18, skedf for UA 7/1/18

772:
N204UA enroute XMN 2730/14Jun, Polaris/PE??
N223UA enterd XMN 2732/13Jun, Polaris/PE??
N796UA now sked to exit XMN 2756/16Jun with Polaris (Y cabin map looks generic)
This would put 3 772s in XMN, assume Polaris on all: N204UA, N222UA, N223UA

VC10er · Thu Jun 14, 2018 4:05 pm

I’m unsure about the purple but heck, at least it’s a bold move. But they have toyed around with purple but in very small ways. I seriously doubt it will show up on the livery tho! Anyone who thinks UA lacks style is right if they focus on everything from yesterday. All new stuff is actually great and done by Priestman Goode. There just isn’t enough of it out yet. But I LOVE the white computer monitors and the 2 Polaris Lounges are not shabby! They are very stylish and luxurious.
Yes, CO was a Brooks Brothers blue suit. It worked for a long time.
When I see what’s left of it: a blue grey plain bulkhead etc - it is SO generic.
I think the interiors of the 737MAX is quite nice.

xxcr · Thu Jun 14, 2018 4:43 pm

Very RICH looking color, i love it! The new PE seats look very similar to the new domestic F seats. Im excited to try out the new seats. Where are they flying the 772 with the new PE seats? any idea on which city will see it first?

adamblang · Thu Jun 14, 2018 5:17 pm

gsg013 wrote:
Question is that picture showing the Premium Plus with or without AVOD? (I would have to think it has AVOD but not from those pictures)

The photorealistic rendering has an handheld AVOD controller in the center armrest – have to imagine the low-res rendering looks like there's no AVOD for the simplicity of the render.

VC10er · Thu Jun 14, 2018 6:31 pm

xxcr wrote:
Very RICH looking color, i love it! The new PE seats look very similar to the new domestic F seats. Im excited to try out the new seats. Where are they flying the 772 with the new PE seats? any idea on which city will see it first?

Yes, I too love the new domestic F seat because of the slide forward seat cushion. I wonder if these have that feature? It helps the recline actually feel like a recline.
As much as I like these, I would have loved if United brought back their international J recliner, which was the best during the recliner era!

I’m looking to book a flight to Europe in about a month- with just 3/4 767s with Polaris are there routes they show up on mostly? Or do they really move around a lot?

codc10 · Thu Jun 14, 2018 11:17 pm

VC10er wrote:
with just 3/4 767s with Polaris

7 in service, 9 by the end of the month if all goes according to plan. By late June/early July, that will make 12 retrofit ships (9 763, 3 772) in service, 17 (77W) delivered from the factory, and 5 (2 763 + 3 772) in mod.

Nothing to sneeze at.

cosyr · Thu Jun 14, 2018 11:45 pm

codc10 wrote:
VC10er wrote:
with just 3/4 767s with Polaris

7 in service, 9 by the end of the month if all goes according to plan. By late June/early July, that will make 12 retrofit ships (9 763, 3 772) in service, 17 (77W) delivered from the factory, and 5 (2 763 + 3 772) in mod.

Nothing to sneeze at.

5 widebodies in mod at the same time in July? That is surprising. I know they're putting the HI birds on some routes, but still seems like a lot of flexibility.

VC10er · Thu Jun 14, 2018 11:50 pm

And yet I cannot find ONE 763 out of EWR/ORD or IAH to Europe in July- I’ve looked at every high premium market- not EVERY destination of course, but unless they haven’t loaded a Polaris seat chart because there isn’t really a way to guarantee a fresh 763 they are just keeping the old for now? - I’ve come up short!?!

calpsafltskeds · Fri Jun 15, 2018 12:56 am

It looks like the 3 class 763s are looped into 3 ORD-LHR and 1 EWR-LHR round trip daily - there will be 4 units after N647UA goes into mod to replace N651UA when it is released with Polaris. We'll see if UA keeps two 763s in mod when N659UA is completed in early July.

Pretty sure the reason Polaris seat maps are not shown for future flights is that the 2 class and Polaris units are a common fleet for routings and Polaris is only 25% of that fleet, so only a 25% chance of a Polaris aircraft..

UA has a choice to make to either continue floating the 21 2 class units with the 7 Polaris units or split them into 2 subfleets. I'd expect a subfleet of Polaris units at or before all 3 class units are completed to be rotated on some premium heavy routes - that would be 14 Polaris units (40% of the 763 fleet).

adamblang · Fri Jun 15, 2018 3:47 am

VC10er wrote:
And yet I cannot find ONE 763 out of EWR/ORD or IAH to Europe in July- I’ve looked at every high premium market- not EVERY destination of course, but unless they haven’t loaded a Polaris seat chart because there isn’t really a way to guarantee a fresh 763 they are just keeping the old for now? - I’ve come up short!?!

The Polaris 763s and Diamond 763s are, as far as I know, used interchangeably. Which aircraft is going to operate any given flight isn't known until a few days before departure. Diamond aircraft are in the booking system so there's only ever an over-delivery of product.

77H · Fri Jun 15, 2018 8:14 am

gwrudolph wrote:
cosyr wrote:
77H wrote:

I wonder why purple/magenta was chosen over something within the existing UA color pallet? The economy and Polaris seats are a darker blue. A lighter blue like what is found on the website would look nice.

77H

I think it is bold. I loved Continental for their culture, but their marketing was squarely focused on business travel, so Professional and Neutral were the key words for their colors, blue and grey. It would be nice to see airlines get more into style again, like the 60's and 70's. Bold can be polarizing, but it's rarely boring. Also, Delta seems to have a monopoly on style in the US, so I think it's time that UA challenge them on that front. It could really help their image in other ways, subconsciously.

Delta has a monopoly on style in the US??? That's your opinion and I don't agree. While I don't like all of the United branding elements, there are some pieces of it that are very, very nice. The new bulkheads for example, are very nice. Some of delta's branding doesn't look as rich and elegant in my opinion

Agreed, there was a recent photo posted on here of a DL cabin and my first impression was tacky.

77H

codc10 · Fri Jun 15, 2018 10:34 am

calpsafltskeds wrote:
It looks like the 3 class 763s are looped into 3 ORD-LHR and 1 EWR-LHR round trip daily - there will be 4 units after N647UA goes into mod to replace N651UA when it is released with Polaris. We'll see if UA keeps two 763s in mod when N659UA is completed in early July.

Pretty sure the reason Polaris seat maps are not shown for future flights is that the 2 class and Polaris units are a common fleet for routings and Polaris is only 25% of that fleet, so only a 25% chance of a Polaris aircraft..

UA has a choice to make to either continue floating the 21 2 class units with the 7 Polaris units or split them into 2 subfleets. I'd expect a subfleet of Polaris units at or before all 3 class units are completed to be rotated on some premium heavy routes - that would be 14 Polaris units (40% of the 763 fleet).

I think the first ex-HA 767 will go to XMN to take the place of N659UA.

jayunited · Fri Jun 15, 2018 12:19 pm

calpsafltskeds wrote:
UA has a choice to make to either continue floating the 21 2 class units with the 7 Polaris units or split them into 2 subfleets. I'd expect a subfleet of Polaris units at or before all 3 class units are completed to be rotated on some premium heavy routes - that would be 14 Polaris units (40% of the 763 fleet).

I hope UA would just knock out the remaining 21 2 class diamond units. It is obvious that XMN is where all 777s will be Polarized I hope UA would just knock out the entire 763 fleet, then move on to either the 764 fleet or the 787-8/9 fleet. If UA stops and leaves the remaining 21 diamond units out there for some later date I think it would be a mistake. If this project is going to be completed on time there needs to be a methodical plan our customers have been extremely patient with UA but they need to see and experience progress a 40% chance of getting a Polarized 763 should not be acceptable a subfleet should not be acceptable after the 3 class 763s are done keep the line open and finish the remaining 21. If UA keeps the 3 lines open at HKG for the 763's the remaining 21 diamond birds should take significantly less time to Polarize because maintenance would only have to truly focus on the business class cabin while only making some minor changes and refreshments in coach. The 3 class birds are being gutted head to toe which takes more time.

fun2fly · Fri Jun 15, 2018 1:28 pm

jayunited wrote:
calpsafltskeds wrote:
UA has a choice to make to either continue floating the 21 2 class units with the 7 Polaris units or split them into 2 subfleets. I'd expect a subfleet of Polaris units at or before all 3 class units are completed to be rotated on some premium heavy routes - that would be 14 Polaris units (40% of the 763 fleet).

I hope UA would just knock out the remaining 21 2 class diamond units. It is obvious that XMN is where all 777s will be Polarized I hope UA would just knock out the entire 763 fleet, then move on to either the 764 fleet or the 787-8/9 fleet. If UA stops and leaves the remaining 21 diamond units out there for some later date I think it would be a mistake. If this project is going to be completed on time there needs to be a methodical plan our customers have been extremely patient with UA but they need to see and experience progress a 40% chance of getting a Polarized 763 should not be acceptable a subfleet should not be acceptable after the 3 class 763s are done keep the line open and finish the remaining 21. If UA keeps the 3 lines open at HKG for the 763's the remaining 21 diamond birds should take significantly less time to Polarize because maintenance would only have to truly focus on the business class cabin while only making some minor changes and refreshments in coach. The 3 class birds are being gutted head to toe which takes more time.

There's a lot of ways to look at it. From a pax perspective, all PMUA 777's need to be done after thee 763's. One could argue the next group should be the 764's as the refresh will affect all pax vs. just the ones in the front of the 21 diamond 767's. I'm guessing that's the route they will take to bring up the worst experiences, not to mention focusing on the 777's brings on a ton more revenue with more seats.

cosyr · Fri Jun 15, 2018 2:57 pm

fun2fly wrote:
jayunited wrote:
calpsafltskeds wrote:

There's a lot of ways to look at it. From a pax perspective, all PMUA 777's need to be done after thee 763's. One could argue the next group should be the 764's as the refresh will affect all pax vs. just the ones in the front of the 21 diamond 767's. I'm guessing that's the route they will take to bring up the worst experiences, not to mention focusing on the 777's brings on a ton more revenue with more seats.

Why does everyone keep talking about the 764's as if they are miserable? I have no problem with the 764's (except that they need one more lav in Y, and Polaris isn't going to fix that) They have AVOD, what are Y pax going to gain from a refresh that regular maintenance can't improve? It makes more sense from a pax perspective to get all 763's the same for the sake of consistency. Either way, I think UA is going to make the decision primarily on how many cycles they have left in their 763 fleet.

codc10 · Fri Jun 15, 2018 3:09 pm

The major work that will be undertaken on the 2-cabin 763s (7 of which are slated to be retired and will not receive Polaris, all 1992/93 builds) and 764s will be adding Polaris and Premium Plus cabins. These aircraft already have an updated Y seat design and Panasonic eX3 IFE.

These aircraft might be due for HMVs but it won't be quite as extensive a mod.

calpsafltskeds · Fri Jun 15, 2018 3:54 pm

772:
N796UA HKG exit 2756/16Jun has cancelled.

Re the 763 2 class units. It would make sense to knock these out starting in September as all the work is seating - of course Polaris, but just seat pitch changes in front of the exit doors in E and minor changes with Row 41 &42 for crew rest and a closet removal. Do we still have a seat availability issue?
As for the 764, if they are getting Polaris I'm wondering if there is an issue with the fact door 2 is not movable vs. the 763 where BF and E+ are slideable? I love the 764, but could it remain on Hawaiian, transcons and less premium routes like MAD/BCN/LIS or seasonal services like ATH if Polaris is hard to place between doors 1 & 2? I'd love to have someone say Polaris fits and is scheduled to be placed on the 764.

The HA aircraft replacing N659UA make sense, but make take longer than previous to convert.

calpsafltskeds · Sat Jun 16, 2018 12:47 pm

39M:
N37504 sked to exit SKF Wifi 2747/16Jun to IAH

763:
N684UA (N588HA) appears to have ferried to MCI 6/14 - expect exit prep from Hawaiian

UAX:
E145X:
N12175 has been transferred to CommutAir (number 27)

E145:
N36915 is in prep to enter revenue service with ExpressJet (pulled from storage)
N29917 has entered service with ExpressJet

VC10er · Sat Jun 16, 2018 1:02 pm

How fast can UA “knock ‘em out” if 1: they take time to do, and 2: summer is upon the Western Hemisphere and they need planes flying?
For UA to announce 1 plane every 10 days until 2020, and assuming that is not a literal 1 frame a week but shall come in bunches and include 14 78J and 4 more 77W, don’t we think that someone at UA has an xl spreadsheet entitled “Polaris Wide Body Refit Schedule” with every 767, 777 & 787 plotted and dated from now until completion?
How long will it take for UA to get ALL 14 78J’s?

iahcsr · Sun Jun 17, 2018 6:40 am

78J
First aircraft for delivery now on the FAL at CHS.... Still no info on Reg/Ship #s

iahcsr · Sun Jun 17, 2018 4:08 pm

763
N651UA UA has been trying to get this aircraft home from HKG for the past two weeks. But every flight scheduled has been cancelled one after the other. Any clue as to what the problem(s) might be? The 767 Polaris program is stalled until whatever gremlins living in this flying machine have been evicted.

LAXintl · Sun Jun 17, 2018 4:18 pm

Dont forget the very high premium 763s will be arriving soon also into the mix.

jayunited · Sun Jun 17, 2018 6:15 pm

iahcsr wrote:
763
N651UA UA has been trying to get this aircraft home from HKG for the past two weeks. But every flight scheduled has been cancelled one after the other. Any clue as to what the problem(s) might be? The 767 Polaris program is stalled until whatever gremlins living in this flying machine have been evicted.

There were several issues that delayed this aircraft's reentry into service. First a serious maintenance issue was discovered during a test flight, instead of letting the crew remain in Hong Kong UA elected to send the flight crew home. Once the maintenance issue was fixed there was an issue with flight crew availability since this is the busy summer season there isn't much availability in the schedule. Once they finally had a crew on standby according to internal reports UA had to wait to secure a slot at HKG. Since this isn't a regularly scheduled flight UA has to have approval and a takeoff slot in order to recover the aircraft. The last update I see is the slot has been approved for 6/19 for UA2780 HKG (dpt 1900) - HNL (arv 1129). The flight crew operating the flight has already been deadheaded to HKG and if all goes according to plan on 6/19 N651UA will be on its way HNL.

Also just saw this tentative update N796UA is scheduled for a test hop flight XMN-XMN on 6/22. Not sure when it returns to service but N796UA with Polaris seats only no PE from what I'm being told is scheduled to conduct a test hop on 6/22. This should be the last 772 to emerge from XMN without PE moving forward all other 772's should have Polaris and PE installed.

musman9853 · Sun Jun 17, 2018 7:07 pm

cosyr wrote:
atcsundevil wrote:
77H wrote:

I wonder why purple/magenta was chosen over something within the existing UA color pallet? The economy and Polaris seats are a darker blue. A lighter blue like what is found on the website would look nice.

77H

I wonder if the color choice could be a peek into future branding..

As long as that doesn't spell the end of gold, because gold is their unique thing. I don't know how they would blend purple and gold.

the lakers pull it off pretty well

KVH68 · Sun Jun 17, 2018 7:29 pm

iahcsr wrote:
763
N651UA UA has been trying to get this aircraft home from HKG for the past two weeks. But every flight scheduled has been cancelled one after the other. Any clue as to what the problem(s) might be? The 767 Polaris program is stalled until whatever gremlins living in this flying machine have been evicted.

They are troubleshooting high control column force.

strfyr51 · Sun Jun 17, 2018 7:34 pm

FlightLevel360 wrote:
VC10er wrote:
gwrudolph wrote:

I don't quite understand your proposal. If they move all of the 752s t domestic, they won't be able to fly some/all of those routes because they don't have a suitable replacement to use. In some of the cases, the 763 would be too big, and even if it wasn't, with the exception of the 3 HA units coming in, the 763 fleet is fairly occupied

I think I have poorly expressed myself! Naturally if they moved all 752s to domestic there is no replacement in that size class, which I get is a better fit to certain destinations than the 763, and I don’t even know if UA will have enough 763s anyway (unless the 78J and 3 used 763s free enough 763s up)?- I guess what I’m asking is if by end of 2020 when the all wide bodies are complete with Polaris refits, WILL UA have decided on a 752 replacement and how long after 2020 would it take for those replacements be on property?
From everything I read UA has 2 choices: A321T or the “797” (MoM) which I would assume would still be a number of years away from 2020. If they decided on the A21 how long would they take to arrive? Last: I just presume the 737MAX is incapable of replacing the 752 in TATL operations?
Perhaps the lipstick mentioned above would help: new covers and bulkheads and bins in the Polaris design?
I simply believe it’s a mistake to have the current 752 still flying “as it is today” after 2020, especially if they cost the same as J in a true Polaris aircraft. They would be the dogs of the fleet crossing the Atlantic- even to get a non-stop, it’s just would be bad for the United brand to fly them “as is” and squandering the “potential” for becoming a great premier airline.

I agree that although its hard product is lacking, it is still perfectly acceptable for long domestic routes.
The 737 is NEVER a replacement for the 757.
A321neos will take a long time to acquire, because the current global backlog of A320neo aircraft is sold out until 2020-2021, and it would be hard to get extra delivery slots from then on until the middle of the decade. I think they are better off waiting for the MOM.
Furthermore, the reason why United bought the A350 was that Boeing had no 777 replacement with the payload and range that United wanted. Before that, the last time that they placed an Airbus order was the A320/19 long before the CO merger. Also, due to AA's most favored customer clause, I do not think that United will buy Airbus narrowbodies in the future, especially with a sCO-skewed board.

United Did NOT buy the A350 because Boeing didn't have a B777 with the right range. Boeing wouldn't Kiss Glen Tilton's Butt and Airbus Did! After the merger?
the S-CO management group tried everything they could to "Deep Six" the A350's but they couldn't. Now we'll have to take them and I think we'll really enjoy them.
Especially since Rolls Royce will have to Perform as well or better than G.E. to even "break even" at United as I'm sure they won't get any "break" when they arrive.
So we'll get to see Airbus in "Indian country"! I'm looking forward to it! With all the new B737 MAX acft coming on board?
The A321 NEO at United? might well be a dead Issue. I think that's why they ordered the B737 Max10's.
I'm not sure there's room for both of them at the "corral" to belly up to the bar..

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