UA Temporarily Grounds Boeing 772 (PW Power); returning to service: late May 2022
Mar 6, 2022, 11:39 am
#466
Join Date: Jun 2014
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If fact, this was the big self-imposed handicap of pmUA. Save a few bucks on some A/C and end up with frames that couldn't fly some needed routes.
Mar 6, 2022, 2:40 pm
#467
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Under your "logic," no international airline would fly anything but 788/9s or, even better, 350ULRs (noting that SQ's 350ULRs constitute a "subfleet" that under your theory should not even exist).
Mar 6, 2022, 3:53 pm
#468
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In many ways a TATL subfleet would be great as it would allow UA to base one plane in, say, FRA and let it be the backup for mechanical issues. But the reality is that this would be considered too extravagant. As it is, LHR sees so many different UA types per day, and that's just one airport. FR does a good job of keeping complete interoperability but I can't think of any significant long haul airline which has just one type for it's longhaul fleet.
Mar 6, 2022, 4:41 pm
#469
Join Date: Jun 2014
Programs: UA MM
Posts: 4,122
That's a ridiculous notion. Airlines regularly fit mission to equipment. The use of 752s TATL is a perfect example. And "subfleets" with different ranges are ubiquitous throughout the airline industry. Witness the different versions of the 737, or even more, the A319/20/21.
Under your "logic," no international airline would fly anything but 788/9s or, even better, 350ULRs (noting that SQ's 350ULRs constitute a "subfleet" that under your theory should not even exist).
Under your "logic," no international airline would fly anything but 788/9s or, even better, 350ULRs (noting that SQ's 350ULRs constitute a "subfleet" that under your theory should not even exist).
Last edited by JimInOhio; Mar 6, 2022 at 4:49 pm
Mar 6, 2022, 7:02 pm
#470
Join Date: Sep 2007
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If UA needs a 772, for example, to operate on ORD-FRA, ORD-HND, SFO-PVG... or name any other route where a 772 is used, it doesn't make sense for only some of the 772 fleet to be able to operate on all of the 772 routes. It creates nightmares for aircraft assignment not to mention juggling when thing don't go perfectly.
Mar 6, 2022, 8:12 pm
#471
Join Date: Jun 2014
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AFAIK, all of the 763 aircraft can technically operate on the same routes. To an airline, seating configurations are secondary to this.
Mar 6, 2022, 8:58 pm
#472
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It’s a difficult upgrade as well with that J/Y ratio. I’ve only booked on it in Y if I know I can get an aisle/window in the first row of E+, and even then it’s not an easy decision.
Mar 7, 2022, 12:28 pm
#473
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I think you missed my point which is probably my fault. For each aircraft, such as a 772, 789, A320, etc., it doesn't make sense to have multiple operational capabilities within that type. If UA needs a 772, for example, to operate on ORD-FRA, ORD-HND, SFO-PVG... or name any other route where a 772 is used, it doesn't make sense for only some of the 772 fleet to be able to operate on all of the 772 routes. It creates nightmares for aircraft assignment not to mention juggling when thing don't go perfectly. In fact, UA has already given an example of this when they got rid of all of the 752s that couldn't operate to the UK. I suspect the short range HD will be the first to leave the 772 fleet for this very reason so why spend to Polarize them?
Mar 8, 2022, 7:13 pm
#474
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Mar 10, 2022, 12:53 pm
#475
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U.S. FAA finalizes Boeing 777 safety directives after fan blade failures Reuters) - The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said on Wednesday it is finalizing three safety directives for some grounded Boeing 777 planes with Pratt & Whitney 4000 engines that will allow them to return to service.
... The directives will be effective in mid-April.
.... United, which is the only U.S. operator of 777s with the PW4000 engine and has 52 of those planes, said the step "is a good and safe outcome for our industry and United customers."
The airline said "many of the affected engines have already undergone these proposed modifications. We expect these aircraft to resume flying customers again soon."
Boeing must now develop a service bulletin laying out steps airlines must take to meet requirements. FAA must approve that bulletin before the planes can return to service.
... The directives will be effective in mid-April.
.... United, which is the only U.S. operator of 777s with the PW4000 engine and has 52 of those planes, said the step "is a good and safe outcome for our industry and United customers."
The airline said "many of the affected engines have already undergone these proposed modifications. We expect these aircraft to resume flying customers again soon."
Boeing must now develop a service bulletin laying out steps airlines must take to meet requirements. FAA must approve that bulletin before the planes can return to service.
Mar 12, 2022, 3:38 pm
#476
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I saw that article. I’m flying MCI EWR ATH with spouse and #4 for PlusPoints upgrade. Athens flights EWR ATH 78X and especially IAD ATH 788 look much more heavily booked than say flights to LHR FRA MUC CDG.
I’m hoping EWR ATH up gauge to 772 and maybe IAD ATH, or at least IAD ATH 78X. We are looking at going out a day early as our connect time was cut by an hour to 43 minutes with an on time stat of 81%, but Polaris and PP are tight
Not sure how the fuel price situation will impact thoughts of upgauging.
I’m hoping EWR ATH up gauge to 772 and maybe IAD ATH, or at least IAD ATH 78X. We are looking at going out a day early as our connect time was cut by an hour to 43 minutes with an on time stat of 81%, but Polaris and PP are tight
Not sure how the fuel price situation will impact thoughts of upgauging.
Mar 14, 2022, 6:58 am
#477
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From Aviation Week & Space Technology, subscription required, brief quotes:
FAA Finalizes Steps For Pratt-Powered 777 Service ReturnSean Broderick March 10, 2022WASHINGTON—The FAA has finalized rules mandating inspections and modifications for Pratt & Whitney-powered Boeing 777s, completing a year-long process to develop fixes that address issues spotlighted in three engine failures and get grounded aircraft back into service.
Airworthiness directives (ADs) set for publication in the Federal Register by March 11 spell out new fan blade inspection protocols as well as engine nacelle modifications and inspections. The protocols follow proposed steps developed during the last year by Boeing, Pratt and the FAA, and outlined in late December 2021 draft directives....
.....The global fleet of Pratt-powered 777s totaled about 130 when the grounding occurred following the February 2021 event. Many of them—52—are with United Airlines. The U.S. carrier plans to work its Pratt-powered 777s back into its network right away, while several operators have accelerated plans to retire their affected airframes.
Airworthiness directives (ADs) set for publication in the Federal Register by March 11 spell out new fan blade inspection protocols as well as engine nacelle modifications and inspections. The protocols follow proposed steps developed during the last year by Boeing, Pratt and the FAA, and outlined in late December 2021 draft directives....
.....The global fleet of Pratt-powered 777s totaled about 130 when the grounding occurred following the February 2021 event. Many of them—52—are with United Airlines. The U.S. carrier plans to work its Pratt-powered 777s back into its network right away, while several operators have accelerated plans to retire their affected airframes.
Mar 19, 2022, 8:20 pm
#478
Join Date: Nov 2014
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I just booked a trip to go visit family in Hawaii this summer. I held off for a couple weeks hoping things would change but it looks like the 2-4-2 configured 777s are back for DEN-HNL. The only aisle seats left up front for my return flight were in the 4-seater center section.
Mar 20, 2022, 1:59 pm
#479
Join Date: Mar 2004
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I saw that article. I’m flying MCI EWR ATH with spouse and #4 for PlusPoints upgrade. Athens flights EWR ATH 78X and especially IAD ATH 788 look much more heavily booked than say flights to LHR FRA MUC CDG.
I’m hoping EWR ATH up gauge to 772 and maybe IAD ATH, or at least IAD ATH 78X. We are looking at going out a day early as our connect time was cut by an hour to 43 minutes with an on time stat of 81%, but Polaris and PP are tight
Not sure how the fuel price situation will impact thoughts of upgauging.
I’m hoping EWR ATH up gauge to 772 and maybe IAD ATH, or at least IAD ATH 78X. We are looking at going out a day early as our connect time was cut by an hour to 43 minutes with an on time stat of 81%, but Polaris and PP are tight
Not sure how the fuel price situation will impact thoughts of upgauging.
EWR-ATH is showing an up gauge to a 78X this summer which I'll take over a 772 most every day....was a 764 at booking...so that's a huge score!!
Mar 20, 2022, 4:21 pm
#480
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: HNL
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Posts: 6,447
I just booked a trip to go visit family in Hawaii this summer. I held off for a couple weeks hoping things would change but it looks like the 2-4-2 configured 777s are back for DEN-HNL. The only aisle seats left up front for my return flight were in the 4-seater center section.