Very smart move and one that I fully anticipated. As United is projected to take delivery in 2022, they would be eligible to take the 280 tonne version, not to be confused with the ULR version that has extra fuel, which has a nearly 500 nm range advantage over the 787-9. I'd expect this aircraft to take over UA's longest 787-9 routes, such as Australia/Singapore flying and open up opportunities elsewhere... JNB? BLR? for example.

I agree with the earlier poster that UA is very much in line to be a launch customer for the 797. The 767s being retrofitted with Polaris right now are the oldest in the fleet and probably have 5-7 years left in them, if that. The 797 should be a perfect replacement for the sCO 757s/767-300ERs. My guess is the sUA 777-200ERs with PW engines will be retired in the 2022-2027 period. The GE powered sCO 777-200ERs are younger and due to technical reasons are more likely to see a full 30 years and then put out to pasture. Of course, their mission in the last years will be much different than flying EWR-Asia/India.