"We think the 777X will be a very good airplane, but it is a very big airplane," Patrick Quayle, the senior vice president of global network planning and alliances, told Business Insider. "Given our hub structure, we find a smaller widebody is actually better." This highlights United Airlines' preference for more versatile aircraft that align with its multi-hub operational strategy.
United has seven hubs across the US, which allows the airline to split its passenger traffic by serving the same destination from multiple hub cities instead of shuttling them all through one central airport. This strategy enhances operational efficiency and better serves diverse passenger needs.
"We're not taking people from the West Coast, flying them to the East Coast, and then flying to London," he said. "We're flying nonstop from the West Coast, nonstop from the Mountain region, nonstop from Houston and Chicago, and nonstop from the East Coast." This illustrates the direct service focus and operational strategy that caters to different regions.
Since 2022, the airline has amassed a record 150 orders for the 787 model to replace its 767s and some 777s. United currently operates more than 70 787 Dreamliners across all variants, which offer a range of capacities and operational efficiencies, emphasizing the airline's commitment to modernizing its fleet.
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