United Airlines’ Boeing 737 Max 10 Dilemma

United Airlines had big plans for its Boeing 737 Max 10 planes when they were first announced in 2018. The carrier envisioned lie-flat, premium seats and a host of profitable, transcontinental routes. However, the certification process has been delayed by years, and United has had to pivot to outfitting other jets.

In an interview with CNBC, CEO Scott Kirby discussed the dilemma the airline now faces. ‘We got a bunch of lie-flat seats that we don’t know what to do with,’ Kirby explained. ‘They don’t fit on other airplanes.’

United has ordered 167 Boeing 737 Max 10 aircraft, but the planes have been delayed due to issues with the anti-icing system. Boeing has had to redesign the system, which has added to the certification process. The delays have also been exacerbated by increased scrutiny of the manufacturer after years of safety and manufacturing crises.

Despite the delays, United has not disclosed the layout it will use on the Boeing 737 Max 10 planes or where it will fly them. The airline has, however, recently outfitted a subfleet of its Airbus A321neo narrow-body aircraft with 20 of the newly designed Polaris suites, premium economy options, and other new seats. This subfleet is dubbed the ‘Coastliner’ for transcontinental routes.

United expects to receive the first Boeing Max 10s in summer 2027. The airline is now faced with the decision of what to do with the hundreds of unused lie-flat seats it has ordered. The seats do not fit on other airplanes, leaving United with limited options.

Boeing won approval for the 737 Max 7 earlier this month, with big customer Southwest Airlines expecting to fly them sometime in the first half of 2027. The certification of the 737 Max 7 is a significant step forward for the manufacturer, but it does not alleviate the pressure on United to decide what to do with its Boeing 737 Max 10 planes.

As United navigates this dilemma, it is clear that the airline is facing a difficult decision. The certification of the Boeing 737 Max 10 planes has been delayed for years, and United has had to pivot to outfitting other jets. The airline now faces the challenge of deciding what to do with the hundreds of unused lie-flat seats it has ordered.

The decision of what to do with the Boeing 737 Max 10 planes will have significant implications for United Airlines. The airline will need to weigh the cost of keeping the planes in service against the potential revenue generated by the lie-flat seats. The decision will also impact the airline’s ability to offer premium services to its passengers.

In the end, United’s decision will be guided by its business needs and the potential revenue generated by the Boeing 737 Max 10 planes. The airline will need to carefully consider its options and make a decision that aligns with its business goals.