In September 2024, United Airlines announced plans to upgrade its fleet at the carrier’s base that’s most often forgotten. There’s now an update, so we have a more exact timeline for when these changes will happen.
United Airlines replacing all Guam-based aircraft
United has a sizable presence in Guam (GUM), and this includes having 10 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The 737-800s that are based in Guam have definitely seen better days, and have rather outdated interiors, at this point.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 — between now and the end of 2026, United plans to replace all 10 Guam-based 737-800s with 737 MAX 8s.
The first regularly scheduled 737 MAX service out of the Guam base will be on April 30, with select flights to Tokyo Narita. By late August, all United flights from Guam to Tokyo Narita will be operated by 737 MAXs (and in turn, all United narrow body flights out of Tokyo Narita), while all services will be operated by the 737 MAX by December 2026.
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 cabins.
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.
Here’s how Patrick Quayle, United’s SVP of Global Network Planning & Alliances, describes this:
“Guam has long played an important role in our Pacific network, both as a destination and for connecting communities across Micronesia with Asia and the continental United States. The introduction of the Boeing 737 MAX 8 helps us deliver a more consistent and reliable experience for customers traveling to the 15 destinations we serve throughout the region. We’re proud to invest in Guam and provide local customers and visitors with a premium experience that customers deserve and expect from us.”
As part of this Guam investment, the airline is 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. Between April and December 2026, we’ll see all Boeing 737-800s flying in the South Pacific replaced by 737 MAX 8s. 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?
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