Originally Posted by
Jet'Dillo
Okay, I actually went to the link and read the article and was a little underwhelmed.
10 aircraft is kind of a small order and is likely just a replacement/refresh move. This doesn't seem like a huge move towards the 773, esp. since UA has already ponied up for 35 A350s. These will likely replace the oldest/most-cycled 772s and that's probably about it, or act as a bridge for the long(er) transpac routes until the 350s and/or 777Xs show up.
Interestingly enough,
UA has 14 AC from 1995-1996 still in service, but after that they went heavy into the 772-ER.
How many of
these have you been on 
?
Despite everyone thinks the 77W will be 2 class, I actually think it would be 3 class instead, the 10 77W is the right amount to replace the few routes just switched from 744 to 772ER, LAX-SYD and ORD-HKG, remember UA switched to 772ER is not because of the loads got lighter, it is about the 744 products in Y is just lack behind of the competitors. (the streaming movies from your own device and installing power outlets is only a temporary fix as a cheaper option to PTV, I mean what int'l carriers would choose to stream rather than PTV ?)
Other than LAX-SYD and ORD-HKG would be a good fit for 3 class 77W, it could also turn EWR-HKG from 2 class to 3 class too, so 3 routes already 6 planes already. The other 4 77W could also replace the 2 744 for SFO-NRT, and possibly also the 2 744 for SFO-HKG.
So all 3 UA HKG routes would be all 77W, and HKG do have the high yields to support 3 class planes with many GS in F.
This could actually retire the oldest 10 744 first, or maybe 5 744 and 5 772. 3 of the old non-ER 772 won't be retire as they just finished modification into 2 class domestic.