Is it not possible to change an order for 50+ planes' worth of seats and IFE that you placed years in advance? Do you have to take delivery of the exact specifications you ordered and completely throw it out, or is it possible to make modifications since it has not yet even been built?

Similarly, is it impossible to integrate Channel 9 into CO's entertainment system the way it is intergrated into UA's entertainment system on the new configs, without throwing out the entire seat and everything?

If you have to throw out the entire seat, video screen, and everything, then I can see why UA would not want to do it. But if the software can be reprogrammed, or IFE details for not-yet-built planes can be modified, then "they already ordered the seats and IFE" sounds like an excuse offered in place of other, actual reason(s).

From what I recall (and I could be wrong) when the Koito fiasco broke, CO changed their not-yet-delivered 737s to use Recaro seats, with different IFE (i.e., no IFE). They did not have to cancel their existing 737 orders and/or throw out the airframes upon delivery, and place a brand new order for 737s specifying the right seats, in order to change the seating and IFE.