United Airlines has announced plans to upgrade its fleet at the carrier’s base that’s most often forgotten (thanks to AirlineFlyer and JonNYC for flagging this)…
In this post:
United Airlines replacing all Guam-based aircraft
United has a sizable presence in Guam (GUM), and this includes having 11 Boeing 737-800s based there. In reality, these are also the planes that are used for United’s narrow body flights out of Tokyo Narita (NRT), as they’re essentially cycled throughout the Pacific region.
The 737-800s that are based in Guam have definitely seen better days, and have rather outdated interiors, at this point. So along those lines, there’s an exciting update — as of February 2026, United plans to fully replace its Guam-based 737-800s with 737 MAX 8s.
So, why should passengers care? The 737 MAX is a little more fuel efficient, has a little more range, and is a little quieter, than previous generation 737s. However, what’s more exciting is the upgraded interiors on these planes, as they’ll feature United’s latest interiors.
That means Guam will finally see 737s with fresh interiors, audio and video on demand at each seat with 10-13″ HD monitors, bluetooth audio for all, larger overhead bins, and more. We’ll also eventually see these planes get Starlink Wi-Fi. United’s 737 MAX 8s feature 166 seats, including 16 first class seats and 150 economy class seats.
Speaking of the extended range of the 737 MAX 8 vs. the 737-800, one certainly wonders whether United may be considering any new routes that are made possible by that extended range. I don’t think anyone wants to spend seven or more hours on a 737 with regional interiors, but I suppose if it opens up some new destinations for the airline, it might be worth a shot.
As part of this Guam investment, the airline will also be upgrading its check-in lobby at Guam’s Antonio B. Won Pat International Airport, with new kiosks that reduce congestion. Here’s how David Kinzelman, United’s Chief Customer Officer, describes this:
“Our investment in new aircraft and a complete refresh of our lobby in Guam will deliver the premium experience our customers expect of United and is part of our broader commitment to elevating the customer experience for our customers in Guam and the broader Pacific region. For customers with connecting flights to or from the mainland U.S., these investments will mean a consistent, seamless experience from check-in to landing.”
United Airlines’ Guam base is incredibly interesting
United is by far the most global of the “big three” US carriers, and its international route network is nothing short of mesmerizing. Of all of United’s flying, I’d argue that the Guam base is probably the most interesting, given how these 737s are used:
- United’s single most interesting route must be its “island hopper,” which operates from Guam to Honolulu (HNL) via five small islands in the Pacific along the way, acting as an essential link to these communities
- Beyond the island hopper, United flies from Guam to places like Koror, Palau (ROR), Manila, Philippines (MNL), Nagoya, Japan (NGO), Osaka, Japan (KIX), Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands (SPN), Taipei, Taiwan (TPE), and more
- United uses its Guam-based 737s to operate flights out of Tokyo Narita, and we’ve seen year-round flights launched to Kaohsiung, Taiwan (KHH), and seasonal flights launched to Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia (UBN)
We’ve known that United’s network out of Guam wasn’t terribly profitable in recent years, so it’s cool to see the airline trying new things, and investing in making the experience a bit better.
Bottom line
United Airlines will be upgrading its Guam-based aircraft. As of February 2026, the airline will fly Boeing 737 MAX 8s from the airport, replacing the existing 737-800s. These planes will have United’s latest interiors, so that’ll be a very nice upgrade to the passenger experience, not just out of Guam, but also for United’s 737 operations out of Japan.
What do you make of United’s Guam upgrades?
Prediction: With the increased range of the -MAX8 compared to the -800, and the timing of the arrival of the planes (spring 2026) I'm expecting an additional route or two for the pacific beginning by next summer. The improved economics can also make it viable thanks to the new aircraft.
There were rumors that WN was roaming Micronesia looking for incentives to start service to GUM.
UA's GUM hub isn't profitable because of the same collapse of Japanese tourism that bankrupt Hawaiian Airlines. A few island hopper routes doesn't give UA a viable business.
WN doesn't have the money to light on fire that it did when it hung sharks from the walls as it launched Hawaii service but they did accomplish their...
There were rumors that WN was roaming Micronesia looking for incentives to start service to GUM.
UA's GUM hub isn't profitable because of the same collapse of Japanese tourism that bankrupt Hawaiian Airlines. A few island hopper routes doesn't give UA a viable business.
WN doesn't have the money to light on fire that it did when it hung sharks from the walls as it launched Hawaii service but they did accomplish their goals in Hawaii.
Flight time is not much different from HNL to GUM than it is for AS on KEF to SEA which is using a MAX.
Here is an interesting story Lucky:
“First new Qantas Airbus jets come with one toilet for every 90 economy passengers – worse than Jetstar, Scoot and Ryanair”
https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/sep/25/qantas-airbus-come-with-one-toilet-for-every-90-economy-passengers-worse-than-jetstar-scoot-and-ryanair
This is great news and Guam is such a treasure for America’s flag carrier. The hub has been slower to recover post COVID so I certainly understand the delay in investments out there. Having just returned from GUM, it’s great to see that the United Next product will be rolled out to the Guam hub. With the Max’s range, who knows where to next. ✈️ With the Max, a lot more is in range and...
This is great news and Guam is such a treasure for America’s flag carrier. The hub has been slower to recover post COVID so I certainly understand the delay in investments out there. Having just returned from GUM, it’s great to see that the United Next product will be rolled out to the Guam hub. With the Max’s range, who knows where to next. ✈️ With the Max, a lot more is in range and it’ll just be where the best yields can be found. Keep innovating and dreaming Patrick and team. Your GUM employees and crews were just incredible and a pacific jewel.
Finally! I’ve been wondering when will United bring their MAX to Manila.
Still waiting for your review on their Island Hopper! ;)
I second that vote. West coast US to Tokyo review, all on 737s.
United also flies the 737 from Narita to Cebu Philippines. They do this since ANA does not fly to Cebu from Narita and United has a lot of connecting people from the USA at Narita that goes to the Cebu area.
Maybe the MAX’s will finally open up NRT-DPS which seems to be a big hole in the UA/NH network
I'll be out there in the next couple of weeks, which means I'll miss this equipment change. I'll try to appreciate the nostalgia value of being on the planes that overhauls forgot.