Originally Posted by
Agremeister
While true, they did get them (possibly VERY) cheap as boeing was desperate to close the production gap between the legacy 777 and the 77X. By the end of the decade they may be a lot less lucrative for UA when everyone else is flying A350-1000s and 77Xs across the pacific. Add on the P2F conversion option and they will also likely command a decent price on the used market, making a phaseout in the late 2020s/early 2030s a financially sound decision.
Keep in mind that United got those 77Ws not only on the cheap, but also with the final performance improvement package offered by Boeing that included some developments that will be featured on the 77X. The 77W is probably the best widebody aircraft subfleet type that Boeing ever built and that is not hyperbole. It has size and range unmatched until the A35J was introduced. And just look at the sales of the A35J. Pretty underwhelming. Airlines are going to be flying the 77W on TPAC routes well into the 2030s and not just United.