EWR764

I see no reason why these won’t get Polaris seats. The only reason the sCO seats are still being installed on new 787s is because the procurement contracts date years to the original orders and UA determined it was uneconomical and/or impractical to try to get out of them.

Dublin_rfk

Slightly off topic, but. Did I just wake up in an alternative universe where Zodiac is magically erased it’s back log and is now producing a surplus of Polaris seats?

PsiFighter37

Somewhat relatedly, Delta made some positive noise around the 797 MoM concept and mentioned they might want to be a launch customer for it. I do wonder what UA is going to do, because they simply don’t have the frames (IMO) to compete if they keep existing product / don’t retrofit everything (which won’t happen).

EWR764

I think its possible, but the problem is that United essentially missed an entire winter of retrofits (when WB utilization is lower) because of Zodiac UK production issues in 2016-2017. All resources were devoted to making up the backlog to fit out the new 77Ws, which Boeing was producing and parking since Zodiac couldn't deliver the Polaris seats on time. Then, for most of Summer 2017, only one 767 was in HKG for mods, the STC bird. I have to believe this is something UA would have, ideally, been able to accomplish in the first half of 2017 so the mods could really begin in earnest once the summer travel season wound down. The ramp-up to 3 mod lines took until the late fall or so, and the first retrofit 777 (STC bird) didn't even make it to the shop until December. The net effect is that United is, in my estimation, 6-8 months behind where it theoretically could have been by this time, if everything went off without a hitch.

I'd bet the farm on United being an early, if not the launch customer, of the 797. Delta is obviously right there too because of their large 767 fleet with no apparent replacement in the size category. It's also important optics for Delta to maintain its relationship with Boeing as well as ensure a competitive position with Airbus.

I also strongly believe the 767-400ERs will be retrofit with the Polaris product, but not before the 777s are finished. They will be in the fleet long enough for another interior refresh, which will likely be limited to the premium cabin.

N104UA

I remember hearing somewhere (which I cannot verify independently) that UA had a deal with Boeing to have the Right of First Refusal to be the 797 launch customer.

PsiFighter37

I'm sure Kirby will find a reason not to do it, probably because it costs too much.

Am I being too cynical?

atword

Can we please send DL our 753s in trade for their 764s?

RNE

Any guesses what the diameter of the 797 will be? Narrower than 787, I assume. Further, any hope of its coach seating retaining 2-X-2?

N104UA

I would assume it would be similar to the width of a 767, then you have 7, 9, and 10 across aircraft. Of it is going to be a 767 and 757 replacement they would be smart to have it have similar seating arrangements

FN-GM

Boeing unlikely to resume passenger 767 production

Madone59

I wonder if they will look to the used market? It would be hard to imagine they will add a new type to the fleet and go with A330's.

PsiFighter37

FN-GM

I might be wrong, but I am under the impression that many of the used frames are being snapped up by cargo airlines.

DELee

Boeing is still building 767 freighters and military versions - just no passenger 767s.

David

Madone59

UA will do something market-leading as soon as DL does it first

Also, you are correct the picked up some HA 76's: http://aviationweek.com/awincommerci...d-buying-spree