Originally Posted by
3Cforme
The best plane argument needs to encompass not just seat count, cargo volume, range, acquisition cost and operating cost but also crew training and parts commonality. What can the 359+10 do that the 788/789/787-10 can't, relative to current and plausible routes in meaningful numbers on the UA network? Does that bring enough value to justify duplication?
One thing the 359 offers: a plane that seats around 275-300 with range to replace the 772s. Once the 276-seat 772s start leaving the fleet, for longer flights United will be left with 252-seat 789s (which I imagine will drop in capacity a bit when Premium Plus is added) and 350-seat 77Ws. If they don't get the 359 (or something comparable), they will have to mostly use 789s as replacements and suffer capacity downgrades in growing markets to Asia (the 787-10 has the capacity but not the range). Will this be enough to add the 359 to the fleet? Time will tell.