United Airlines (UA, Chicago O'Hare) Chief Financial Officer John Rainey says his airline would consider converting some of its B787-8 and/or B787-9 delivery slots with Boeing (BOE, Washington National) into those for the B777-300(ER) as the carrier moves to stem capacity shortfalls on its stronger-performing routes.
Speaking to Reuters newswire this week, Rainey said the B777-300(ER) would act as a "quick fix" solution while United awaits the delivery of its first A350-1000s, due from Airbus (AIB, Toulouse Blagnac) in 2018. The type could also act as a replacement for two B747-400s United plans to withdraw from service this year, he added. However, despite interest in the -300(ER), Rainey said the carrier had no current designs on its upgraded successor, the B777X, whose estimated date of entry-into-service is only 2019.
Concerning the carrier's B757-200 fleet, the CFO said that while United would like to see a replacement for the type, the Airbus A321neo equivalent had "issues" which he did not elaborate on.
