Changes at United coming soon.

[Alex T]

United Airlines is expected to ground dozens of its least fuel-efficient aircraft, including Boeing 747 jumbo jets, as part of sweeping cuts intended to help the carrier conserve cash and surviving a daunting environment as a stand-alone company.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ ... 8539.story (http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-080603ual-plane-story,0,4018539.story)

Alex

[T-Bird76]

I'm guessing they will shift flying to regional carriers? That's a huge amount of planes to take out of service.

[Matt Molnar]

I think maybe the legacies (or at least AA and UA) are finally realizing that the only way they have a shot is by cutting the supply of seats, thereby driving up ticket prices. I don't understand parking 744s, though. Are they going to cut Asia service?

[Alex T]

Further Updates --

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080604/ap_ ... nited_cuts (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080604/ap_on_bi_ge/united_cuts)

Alex

[Delta777LR]

With the 94 737-300/500s getting ready to be parked I didnt think this was going to happen too soon. The 744s, I did kind of seeing that coming since they do burn more fuel than planes like the 772ER and 763s. I believe United could probably add some more 777s or more A319/A320s to fly those routes. From what I understand is that United still has orders for the A319s, but im not sure when they will be delievered. Im going to miss the 737s. I wished they could have ordered the 737NGs.

[LGA777]

One thing I don't understand about UA's logic and plans is they are waiting to the first quarter 2009 to start removing Ted aircraft from Ted and converting them to Mainline two class configurations. With the huge drop in demand starting in Sept and everyone else's large cuts including UA's own 733/735 parking starting then why not at least start reducing Ted then, great time to have aircraft out of service being re-configured, then they are available to start replacing 733's on profitable routes like say LGA-ORD, many of UA's current flights in this high profile market are after all 733's.

Thoughts ?

LGA777

[cancidas]

Thoughts ?
you're right, as always.

now, i thought that TED was DEaD already. is it still making any profit for them? are they going to be replacing 744s with 772s on the asia runs?

[Delta777LR]

Catch the United 737-300/500s while you can!!