United's 777s Getting Boeing Performance Improvement Package
Mar 22, 11, 11:15 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: IAD/PIT
Programs: UA 2P
Posts: 129
United's 777s Getting Boeing Performance Improvement Package
It looks like United will update its PMUA 777s with the Perfomance Improvement Package to help reduce fuel consumption. The PMCO 777s had the improvements installed beginning in 2007.
Didn't see a thread on it currently, but I could have missed one, so sorry if this has already been posted.
From Boeing's press release:
http://boeing.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=1678
Didn't see a thread on it currently, but I could have missed one, so sorry if this has already been posted.
From Boeing's press release:
http://boeing.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=1678
SEATTLE, March 22, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Boeing (NYSE: BA) and United Continental Holdings, Inc. announced today that United Airlines' 777 fleet will be modified with a Performance Improvement Package that will result in greater fuel efficiency, along with reduced emissions.
The package, to be installed on 52 United Airlines 777s, is expected to reduce fuel spending per airplane by about $200,000 annually (assuming $100 per barrel crude oil prices), according to Boeing estimates.
"We appreciate Boeing's continued efforts to make existing aircraft more fuel efficient," added United Fleet Vice President Ron Baur. "We are very focused on improving fuel efficiency in our fleet as a natural hedge against rising fuel prices."
Continental Airlines, which merged with United Airlines last year, was among the first airlines to sign up for the package, agreeing to outfit 20 777s in 2007.
"Expanding implementation to the United Airlines 777 fleet is a great testament to the value of the Performance Improvement Package," said Dennis Floyd, vice president, Fleet Services for Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "These efficiency upgrades help our customers by making a great airplane perform even better."
The 777 Performance Improvement Package improves the airplane's aerodynamics through a software change to enable a drooped aileron, a ram air system improvement and the installation of improved wing vortex generators.
The package, to be installed on 52 United Airlines 777s, is expected to reduce fuel spending per airplane by about $200,000 annually (assuming $100 per barrel crude oil prices), according to Boeing estimates.
"We appreciate Boeing's continued efforts to make existing aircraft more fuel efficient," added United Fleet Vice President Ron Baur. "We are very focused on improving fuel efficiency in our fleet as a natural hedge against rising fuel prices."
Continental Airlines, which merged with United Airlines last year, was among the first airlines to sign up for the package, agreeing to outfit 20 777s in 2007.
"Expanding implementation to the United Airlines 777 fleet is a great testament to the value of the Performance Improvement Package," said Dennis Floyd, vice president, Fleet Services for Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "These efficiency upgrades help our customers by making a great airplane perform even better."
The 777 Performance Improvement Package improves the airplane's aerodynamics through a software change to enable a drooped aileron, a ram air system improvement and the installation of improved wing vortex generators.
Mar 22, 11, 11:57 pm
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Kansas City Metro | MCI
Programs: UA *G, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Plat., NEXUS, TSA Disparager Unobtanium
Posts: 20,275
Glad to hear ^ After listening to Jeff's keynote presentation today, I'm not surprised that the PMUA 777s will get this package.. Any chance they would also get winglets?
Mar 23, 11, 12:07 am
#3
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: SJC
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 1,628
Out of curiosity, how long will an aircraft be out of service for this installation? There's already a lot of unpredictable shuffles due to 777 upgrades and repainting.
Mar 23, 11, 1:36 am
#4
Moderator: Luxury Hotels and FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Palo Alto, California,USA
Posts: 17,316
Originally Posted by SFOSpiff
Out of curiosity, how long will an aircraft be out of service for this installation? There's already a lot of unpredictable shuffles due to 777 upgrades and repainting.
Mar 23, 11, 1:38 am
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Kansas City Metro | MCI
Programs: UA *G, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Plat., NEXUS, TSA Disparager Unobtanium
Posts: 20,275
Originally Posted by RichardInSF
What 777 upgrades? That seems to be stopped dead in its tracks.
N209UA went in for interior upgrades on 3/10.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unite...-2011-a-4.html
Mar 23, 11, 7:13 am
#6
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Pacific Northwest
Programs: UA 1MM, AS MVP, Bonvoyed Gold, Honors Dia, IHG Plat, ...
Posts: 9,913
How much does the package cost per aircraft? Since CO has had a few years of real data with the upgrades, it's presumably worth doing given the remaining time of the 777 in the fleet.
Mar 23, 11, 7:23 am
#7
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: NYC
Posts: 69,204
Originally Posted by FriendlySkies
Any chance they would also get winglets?
Mar 23, 11, 8:31 am
#8
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Arlington, VA
Programs: United MP 1p, PC Ambassador, GP Platinum
Posts: 439
Originally Posted by sbm12
My understanding is that the blended wing design of the 777 precludes then need for wing glitz to be installed.
Here's a pic of a UAL 772, which I don't believe has raked winglets:
http://www.airliners.net/photo/0964880/
here's one with for comparison:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/caribb/468435025/
Last edited by IADtoWhere; Mar 23, 11 at 8:46 am Reason: added photos
Mar 23, 11, 8:56 am
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Programs: OWEmerald; STARGold; SPGPlat; PCPlat/Amb; HiltonDiamond; CarlsonGold; A|ClubPat; AirMilesGold
Posts: 38,156
Originally Posted by IADtoWhere
Did the early 772s come with raked wingtips?
Here's a pic of a UAL 772, which I don't believe has raked winglets:
http://www.airliners.net/photo/0964880/
here's one with for comparison:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/caribb/468435025/
Here's a pic of a UAL 772, which I don't believe has raked winglets:
http://www.airliners.net/photo/0964880/
here's one with for comparison:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/caribb/468435025/
Mar 23, 11, 11:13 am
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 1999
Posts: 10,542
What is the cost of this modification: At $200K savings p,a., what is the ROI, assuming $ 100 p.b. oil?
Mar 23, 11, 10:12 pm
#11
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: NYC
Posts: 1,082
Originally Posted by sbm12
Mar 23, 11, 10:53 pm
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: HKG
Programs: Priority Club Plat
Posts: 12,311
Originally Posted by SFOSpiff
Out of curiosity, how long will an aircraft be out of service for this installation? There's already a lot of unpredictable shuffles due to 777 upgrades and repainting.
Drooped aileron is software only - 3 hours.
Vortex generators - overnight.
Ram air - several days, so should be done with heavy maintenance.
Can be ordered and done all separately, with 60% of the benefits achieved with just the first two. Amazing that UA hasn't even done those two already.
Mar 23, 11, 11:34 pm
#13
Moderator: Luxury Hotels and FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Palo Alto, California,USA
Posts: 17,316
Originally Posted by FriendlySkies
Mar 24, 11, 3:05 am
#14
Join Date: Sep 2006
Programs: United 1K, Delta Gold, Cathay Pacific Diamond, SPG plat.
Posts: 371
Originally Posted by IADtoWhere
Did the early 772s come with raked wingtips?
Here's a pic of a UAL 772, which I don't believe has raked winglets:
http://www.airliners.net/photo/0964880/
here's one with for comparison:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/caribb/468435025/
Here's a pic of a UAL 772, which I don't believe has raked winglets:
http://www.airliners.net/photo/0964880/
here's one with for comparison:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/caribb/468435025/
Mar 24, 11, 8:54 pm
#15
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: IAD/PIT
Programs: UA 2P
Posts: 129
Originally Posted by rkkwan
http://www.boeing.com/commercial/aer...icle_02_1.html
Drooped aileron is software only - 3 hours.
Vortex generators - overnight.
Ram air - several days, so should be done with heavy maintenance.
Can be ordered and done all separately, with 60% of the benefits achieved with just the first two. Amazing that UA hasn't even done those two already.
Drooped aileron is software only - 3 hours.
Vortex generators - overnight.
Ram air - several days, so should be done with heavy maintenance.
Can be ordered and done all separately, with 60% of the benefits achieved with just the first two. Amazing that UA hasn't even done those two already.
