United to retire 747s
United Airlines will retire its 747 fleet from scheduled service by the end of 2018, it announced today.
To replace the jets, it will be converting 787 orders originally anticipated for delivery in 2020 and beyond into four 777s and five 787s for delivery from next year.
"These conversions will accommodate the accelerated retirement of the 747s while also meeting United’s capacity needs," it said.
The airline has also ordered 25 more Boeing 737-700 aircraft for delivery from the end of 2017.
The order is in addition to the previously announced order of 40 737-700s.
The new 737-700 aircraft will enable United to continue using larger, more efficient aircraft as it shrinks its 50-seat regional fleet.
The airline expects to have fewer than 100 aircraft in its 50-seat fleet by the end of 2019.
The next-generation 737-700s provide cabin enhancements including larger overhead bins that can accommodate additional carry-on bags, said United.
Meanwhile, the merged United -Continental is facing a challenge to its leadership from two institutional shareholders who claim the carrier has done little to improve its performance.
The investors – who together hold 7% of the airilne’s shares – want to put forward six new board members for election at the next annual meeting, including former Continental Airlines chief executive Gordon Bethume.
Bethume ran Continental until 2004 and the airline merged with United in 2010.
United announced its chief executive officer Oscar Munoz will return to full time work on Monday after recovering from a heart attack in October.
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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