Originally Posted by
riphamilton
my bet is that UA replaces both the 767 and 77E fleet with the 789 and 78J. they're clearly very pleased with both variants, kirby has said as much to employees. they'll probably also add at least a few more A321XLR and 77W, but i don't think we see the 779 in UA livery (and the 778 will never be built as a passenger aircraft, regardless of QF's project sunrise).
the 788 is a nice aircraft, but UA not adding to the subfleet of 12 frames that they've operated for 5 (!) years now is telling, especially when they've added to their 789/J orders.
It does seem like UA is still open to the NMA as a 767 replacement. Don’t think it’s going to happen within the timeframe UA needs it.
As for the 789/78J replacing the 767, that would be a decent capacity upgrade on the 767 routes. Makes me wonder if they might do a high-J version of one down the road - could maybe serve LHR down the road, increase Y capacity, and possibly enable some ULH routes they can’t do with a regularly-configured 789.