Originally Posted by
PsiFighter37
Out of curiosity, what routes would the upgraded 789s be able to ply, aside from LAX-SIN, that UA does not currently operate due to range limitations / unprofitability from having to block seats on the standard 789s?
All of the other routes are due to Russian airspace being closed off which either prevents UA from flying such routes profitably most of the time like EWR-PRC flying or Russian airspace being closed off prevents them from being flown altogether like SFO-DEL/BLR.
Even with IGW 787-9s, still find it hard to believe any of those routes will come back until Russian airspace reopens.
One potential future route that the current 787-9s could not fly but the IGW could is SFO-CGK, although I question whether this could be done profitably as I’m not sure the yields are high enough. SFO-KUL is in range of the current 787-9 fleet with the existing configuration.
Hard to believe but SFO-SGN/BKK both could be flown by the 77W. The 22 77Ws UA has were delivered with that final PIP offered by Boeing, making these aircraft one ton lighter with empty gross weight. It can fly EWR-HKG sold out if Russian airspace was open. Hell, it could fly a sold out SIN-SFO, taking advantage of the tailwinds.