United Airlines is a huge company that offers many different types of airline services to different parts of the world. If you are considering working for them, this video can give you some excellent "think" points to consider.
Greater than 850 Aircraft, and that does not include any regional aircraft that work in the united airlines livery or system.
Over half that are narrow body aircraft. Primarily Boeing 757 and Boeing 737 aircraft. United is planning on hiring 5000 more pilots by 2030.
That number may be staggering but consider this first. United will have to be able to train 5000 pilots in that time period. And that is no easy task for any training center. To do that, training centers need to ramp up and gather qualified instructors to plug into their training system. If there is a back log anywhere, things slow down, pilots are not trained and fleets are hamstrung. This is a very real problem and also a good question to ask at an interview.
FAQ's
Hydrogen electric engines. Is this a reality?
It certainly seems like hydrogen electric engines can be made to work in the airline industry. There is a LOT of testing that needs to happen before this becomes reality. Speculation is not reality and the FAA rules the world of that reality. It is an exciting prospect considering the amount of money airlines spend on fuel per year and the effects that those airlines have on the atmosphere.
Will all of this happen in 8 Years?
What most people do not realize is that there is one controlling factor that decides the future of the airline industry timeline, and it is not the order sheet. It is the FAA. If the FAA drags its feet, and they are notorious for that, getting new technology certified has its own time frame. If there is a one small hiccup, and many times with new designs, then the process can take even longer.
What aircraft are most pilots wanting to fly?
Generally most pilots want to fly the wide body jets. One reason is the nostalgia of it, and the other is the pay. Widebody jets tend to have more seats and pilot pay is based on how many seats the aircraft holds.
How diverse is the United fleet?
Compared to the other major legacy airlines, it is very diverse and gives a lot of choices for anyone pursuing a pilot position.
Which one is the most fun to fly?
Your mileage may vary. Some pilots love automation and some love to kick off the autopilot and hand fly. At this level, most pilots are in it for the career advancement and pay. New hire pilots are assigned a jet type in their new hire class, so there is not a whole lot of choices when you are new.
Will the economy be able to support ticket price increases due to the prices of these new planes?
That is the eternal mystery. What the economy does certainly drives the airline market and travel demand. We have seen that pandemics and the passenger perception to wearing masks certainly has an impact as well. Where the inflation rate is, what the reduced airline schedules look like (due to employee shortages) are all factors.
What are the key statistics for each model?
Boeing 787-10
Key Specifications
- Cruise speed: 560 mph
- Passenger capacity: 219–318
- Engines: Two General Electric GEnx
- Wingspan: 197 feet, 4 inches
Boeing 777
Key Specifications
- Cruise speed: 550–560 mph
- Passenger capacity: 276–350
- Engines: Two General Electric GE90 or two Pratt & Whitney PW4077/4090 (up to 115,300 lbs thrust each)
- Wingspan: Up to 212 feet, 7 inches
Boeing 767
Key Specifications
- Cruise speed: 540 mph
- Passenger capacity: 167–240
- Engines: Two General Electric CF6-80C2B or two Pratt & Whitney PW4060 (up to 63,300 lbs thrust each)
- Wingspan: 170 feet, 4 inches
Boeing 757
Key Specifications
- Cruise speed: 540 mph
- Passenger capacity: 142–234
- Engines: Two Rolls-Royce RB211-535 (up to 43,700 lbs thrust each)
- Wingspan: 134 feet, 7 inches
Boeing 737
Key Specifications
- Cruise speed: 530 mph
- Passenger capacity: 126–179
- Engines: Two CFM International CFM56 (26,400 lbs thrust each)
- Wingspan: Up to 117 feet, 5 inches
Airbus Family
Key Specifications
- Cruise speed: 530 mph
- Passenger capacity: 126–200
- Engines: Two IAE V2500-A5 (up to 27,000 lbs thrust each)
- Wingspan: Up to 111 feet, 11 inches
CRJ Series
Key Specifications
- Cruise speed: 530 mph
- Passenger capacity: 50–70
- Engines: Two jet engines
- Wingspan: Up to 76 feet, 3 inches
Embraer 170 & 175
Key Specifications
- Cruise speed: 530 mph
- Passenger capacity: 70–76
- Engines: Two jet engines
- Wingspan: Up to 76 feet, 3 inches
Embraer 145
Key Specifications
- Cruise speed: 530 mph
- Passenger capacity: 50
- Engines: Two Rolls-Royce AE3007 (up to 8,900 lbs thrust each)
- Wingspan: 69 feet, 7 inches
Engine Details Across the Fleet
Wondering what keeps each member of the fleet soaring through the skies? Here’s a closer look at the powerplants behind our workhorses—spanning from the mighty widebodies to the nimble regional jets.
Boeing 787-10
This long-hauler relies on a pair of General Electric GEnx engines. Their advanced technology delivers impressive fuel efficiency and the thrust needed for transoceanic hops.
Boeing 777 Family
Under each wing of the 777, you’ll typically find either General Electric GE90 or Pratt & Whitney PW4000 series engines. These high-thrust engines are celebrated for powering some of the world’s longest nonstop flights.
Boeing 767
The twinjet workhorse uses either General Electric CF6 or Pratt & Whitney PW4060 engines, designed to provide reliable thrust for medium to long-haul routes.
Boeing 757
Known for its power, the 757 typically comes equipped with Rolls-Royce RB211 turbofans. These engines are efficient, fast, and deliver the oomph needed for quick climbs.
Boeing 737 Series
The engine bays are home to CFM International CFM56 turbofans, recognized across the industry for their balance of performance and reliability.
Airbus A319/A320/A321neo
Whether it's a short hop or a busy hub-busting trip, these Airbuses are propelled by International Aero Engines V2500 series. They’re designed for efficient, quiet journeys.
CRJ Family
The CRJ jets use a pair of regional jet engines, each optimized for efficient short-to-medium-range performance, supporting commuter flights with robust and steady thrust.
EMB 170 & 175
These regional players also sport twin jet engines, ideal for balancing speed and fuel efficiency on routes both short and slightly longer.
EMB 145
Completing the lineup, the EMB 145 banks on two Rolls-Royce AE3007 engines. Each one is engineered for performance and reliability, ensuring smooth travel for every trip.
For each aircraft, these engine choices are the result of balancing speed, efficiency, and reliability—so whether you’re crossing continents or hopping states, your ride is in capable hands.
Regional Jet Highlights
For travelers hopping between cities or shuttling across shorter routes, regional jets like the CRJ series and Embraer’s 170, 175, and 145 models offer a compelling mix of speed and efficiency. Let’s take a quick look under the hood (well, more like under the wing) at what makes these workhorses tick:
CRJ Series
- Cruise Speed: About 530 mph—enough zip to get you there on time, but not enough G-force to spill your ginger ale.
- Passenger Capacity: Handles between 50 and 70 folks, depending on the exact model.
- Engines: Twin jets keep these birds aloft.
- Wingspan: Stretches up to just over 76 feet—compact, but not claustrophobic.
- Common Variants: Includes familiar faces like the CRJ-200, CRJ-550, and CRJ-700, each tuned for slightly different missions.
Embraer 170 & 175
- Cruise Speed: Matches the CRJ at about 530 mph—no racing rivalry here.
- Capacity: A hair roomier, seating 70–76 passengers comfortably.
- Engine Setup: Two jet engines, one for each wing (no surprises here).
- Wingspan: Again, up to 76 feet, 3 inches.
- Configurations: Includes both the 170 and slightly roomier 175 models, both regulars on regional routes.
Embraer 145
- Cruise Speed: Consistent at around 530 mph—regional doesn’t mean slow.
- Capacity: Seats up to 50 travelers, making it ideal for leaner passenger loads or quieter destinations.
- Thrust: Powered by a pair of Rolls-Royce AE3007 engines, delivering up to 8,900 pounds of thrust each—for those who care about what’s roaring on the wing.
- Wingspan: Comes in just under 70 feet.
In short, regional jets pack solid performance, right-sized cabins, and a dash of agility well-suited for shorter jaunts—without sacrificing the essentials of jet-powered travel.
Which third-party airlines operate flights as regional partners?
United works with a number of regional carriers to provide flights on routes that don't warrant the larger jets. These airlines—think CommuteAir, GoJet Airlines, Mesa Airlines, Republic Airways, and SkyWest Airlines—fly under the United banner but are separate companies. So, while you're booking with United, it's very possible your flight (especially to smaller markets) is actually operated by one of these partners. If you're curious, this is sometimes noted as “operated by” on your ticket or boarding pass. These regional links are a big part of how United is able to cover so much ground, connecting smaller cities to their major hubs.
United Airlines Fleet
51 B757-200's
21 B757-300's
53 B737-700's
141 B737-800's
16 B737 Max-8
30 B737 Max-9's
97 Airbus 319's
96 Airbus 320's
121 A321 neo's on order (including 50 321XLR)
45 Airbus 350-900 on order
38 B767-300ER
18 B767-400ER
19 B777-200
55 B777-200ER
22 B777-300ER
12 B787-8
38 B787-9
13 B787-10
Future of Electric aircraft ES-19
Supersonic Boom Overture (2029)
Comparing Aircraft Size and Capacity
Looking at the lineup of aircraft, there’s quite a bit of variety in both size and seating capacity. On the larger end, models like the Boeing 777 and Boeing 787-10 stand out; these wide-body jets can typically accommodate anywhere from 276 up to 350 passengers, and boast wingspans just under or above 200 feet—serious wingspan envy for the more compact models.
Moving down the line, the Boeing 767 sits comfortably in the middle, offering space for about 167 to 240 passengers, while stretching its wings out to 170 feet or so. If you board a Boeing 757, expect a slightly trimmer experience—capacity falls in the 142 to 234 passenger range, with a noticeably narrower wingspan around 134 feet.
At the smaller end, narrow-body mainstays like the Boeing 737 and the Airbus A320 family seat between 126 to 200 passengers. Here, wingspan drops to about 111–117 feet—still nothing to sneeze at if you’re parallel parking, but definitely scaled for shorter trips and nimbler gate maneuvering.
In summary, whether you’re looking at transcontinental giants or efficient shorter-haul favorites, the differences in size and capacity are substantial, reflecting each aircraft’s unique place in the aviation ecosystem.
Regional Partner Aircraft
When it comes to flights in the United States and Canada, regional partners play a crucial role in connecting smaller cities and providing frequent service on shorter routes. These airlines operate a fleet of reliable jets designed for efficiency and passenger comfort. You’ll usually find three main aircraft families carrying out these regional missions:
- CRJ Series: These jets, including models like the CRJ-200, CRJ-550, and CRJ-700, accommodate anywhere from 50 to 70 passengers. They’re recognized for their compact size and impressive speed, cruising at around 530 mph, and their wingspans can stretch up to nearly 76 feet.
- Embraer 170 & 175: If you’re flying on an Embraer 170 or Embraer 175, you’re likely sharing the cabin with 70–76 fellow travelers. These modern jets combine agility with comfort, sporting a similar wingspan and cruising speed as the CRJ lineup.
- Embraer 145: A bit smaller, the Embraer 145 is a staple on shorter hops, seating 50 passengers and powered by two Rolls-Royce jet engines. Its wingspan spans nearly 70 feet, making it nimble for quick takeoffs and landings at regional airports.
These versatile aircraft make it possible to reach destinations large and small with ease, all while maintaining the safety, speed, and convenience you expect in the skies.
