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.
In this post:
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The 737-800s that are based in Guam have definitely seen better days, and have rather outdated interiors, at this point.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?
richard quest recently reviewed the island hopper on one of his 'world of wonder" pieces.
There have been UA MAX 8 flights out of Guam since February. There was some sloppy reporting in the local press with the late April date which other outlets picked up without checking out.
Two MAX 8s now in Guam
https://aerosouthpacific.com/blogs/news/united-airlines-max-8-ops-guam
Looks like some Island Hopper flights has been using 7M8 already
Passengers absolutely do not care (or even think) about a plane being fuel-efficient, or having more range. Ummm, what? lol
Starlink aside, and in this case, it's more an 'upgrade' for the operator. Fair point.
I avoid 737 Max like the plague. Seats are as padded as a concrete slab, first class has a Ryanairesque seat pitch, and the tiny lavs require acrobatic backwards bended sideway pee ing….
It sounds like the so called cabin “Upgrade” is in reality an aircraft DOWNGRADE.
No kidding. Imagine doing this with advanced multiple sclerosis. It’s miserable!
I can't even begin to imagine the struggle. Hate those lavs.
@Ben we need an Island Hopper review! And maybe a review of PDL-EWR-DEN-LAX-HNL-Island Hopper-GUM-NRT-UBN as you discussed in October 2024 in https://onemileatatime.com/insights/united-airlines-global-route-network/
Ben, you also forgot Cebu (CEB) in the Philippines.
But Cebu is out of UA’s Tokyo Narita hub, not Guam (which is what the article is about?).
There’s also Ulaanbaatar from Narita...
NRT is not a hub. All 737s and crew are based in GUM.
These planes are ideal for the Island Hopper network but certainly not as part of the NRT hub.
Imagine buying a business class ticket and getting stuck on a domestic configured 737 to complete the journey.
But, again, UA doesn't mind using domestic configured 737s to cross the Atlantic - which probably just justifies that WN should go ahead with BWI to Ireland/UK service on their MAXs.
aww hell yeah cannot wait to fly BWI to Luton on Southwest
LTD says, "These planes are ideal for the Island Hopper network but certainly not as part of the NRT hub."
What a great point, not! Just another example of your lack of understanding the airline biz. Poor LTD.
either UA uses 737s for beyond NRT and TATL services or they don't.
Would you like to accurately note what I am misstating or admit that UA doesn't have the class to use internationally configured aircraft for international services?
and, you do know that UA says it is ground 757s and replacing them w/ widebodies that were scheduled to fly to the Middle East where 2% of UA's capacity was supposed to be deployed?
You...
either UA uses 737s for beyond NRT and TATL services or they don't.
Would you like to accurately note what I am misstating or admit that UA doesn't have the class to use internationally configured aircraft for international services?
and, you do know that UA says it is ground 757s and replacing them w/ widebodies that were scheduled to fly to the Middle East where 2% of UA's capacity was supposed to be deployed?
You do know that DXB is off UA's schedule until the fall at least. So much for that massively sprawling network
Worldwide destinations
UA: 403
AA: 353
DL: 311
none of which changes that UA uses domestically configured aircraft on international routes.
And, since you love to brag about fleet size, would you like to add up number of 777-200s, 757s, and 320s and 319s that UA will ground this year? Suddenly, all of those huge orders are nothing more than a cash flow drain just as labor costs go up along w/ fuel costs
Airlines match their aircraft to the market. Guam is a unique relatively low margin market that doesn't merit lie flat beds. UA's fleet and order book offers them tremendous flexibility no matter how bad the fuel price shock turns out to be. UA management did an exceptional job managing their fleet during Covid and that bodes well for this and other shocks. DL takes a more conservative approach which is understandable given their lead financially....
Airlines match their aircraft to the market. Guam is a unique relatively low margin market that doesn't merit lie flat beds. UA's fleet and order book offers them tremendous flexibility no matter how bad the fuel price shock turns out to be. UA management did an exceptional job managing their fleet during Covid and that bodes well for this and other shocks. DL takes a more conservative approach which is understandable given their lead financially. UA also prefers competing for the highest GDP metro areas vs dominating second tier cities. Each airline brings different legacies and try to capitalize on their advantages. UA is later to the game, but is coming on strong.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_United_States_metropolitan_areas_by_GDP
nowhere did I say that UA shouldn't use 737s to/from GUM but thank you for admitting that UA's NRT hub is a low margin, leisure focused operation.
Tell us all about those metro areas that UA shares with other airline hubs - which UA can't manage to turn into more revenue despite flying 10% more ASMs.
You clearly don't even know what the plot is but it is about revenue and profit maximization, not whipping...
nowhere did I say that UA shouldn't use 737s to/from GUM but thank you for admitting that UA's NRT hub is a low margin, leisure focused operation.
Tell us all about those metro areas that UA shares with other airline hubs - which UA can't manage to turn into more revenue despite flying 10% more ASMs.
You clearly don't even know what the plot is but it is about revenue and profit maximization, not whipping your toolkit out to show it off whenever your ego feels bruised.
LTD, "So much for that massively sprawling network (UA)"
rebel. "Worldwide destinations
UA: 403
AA: 353
DL: 311"
LTD, "none of which changes..."
Too funny. UA has 30% more destinations. Wow! That is a "massively sprawling network" at least compared to DL.
you, like UA and 40% of Americans, confuse size for quality.
UA is the antithesis of quality. Worst baggage handling in the industry. 6th out of 10 in on-time.
You and UA are overweight and think it is sexy when it is actually severely gross.
You need Wegovy 7.2, Novo's most aggressive GLP drug for the severely obese.
In a world of high performance, UA competes with a 5000 lb anchor around its neck
and you need to stop typing when drunk, timmy
you sound stupid
I'm very awake and fully sober.
The reality is that UA and its fan nuts mistake size for quality or pretend that people are too stupid to know the difference between the two.
UA is the airline equivalent of an overweight if not obese company that underperforms on one metric after another despite trying to convince themselves otherwise.
They need the strongest GLP 1 - which might be either Wegovy's 7.2 mg or Zepbound's 15...
I'm very awake and fully sober.
The reality is that UA and its fan nuts mistake size for quality or pretend that people are too stupid to know the difference between the two.
UA is the airline equivalent of an overweight if not obese company that underperforms on one metric after another despite trying to convince themselves otherwise.
They need the strongest GLP 1 - which might be either Wegovy's 7.2 mg or Zepbound's 15 mg. Zepbound and Mounjaro has proven to be more effective than Ozempic and Wegovy.
I know a lot of people have bought Lilly's weight loss drugs which makes LLY a very strong addition to my portfolio over the past 5 years.
Damn, I'm flying the island hopper on April 29 and there starting on April 30 with the MAX.
Can you… like… change your travel dates?
These flights are typically excellent value when booked with miles (compared to eye-wateringly high cash fares) and great chance of CPU (not many UA elites...).
What's interesting, some of these UA flights have zero taxes when booked with miles - as far as I remember my Palau (ROR)--Tokyo (NRT) flight was $0 in taxes.
That’s good to know saver fares still exist. I looked a couple years ago when the excursions perk was still available, and award rates were super high.
Have flown United to/from ROR several times. They get you with taxes on the way in, around $150 if I remember correctly.
Saver availability in J has been atrocious recently, but great value if you can get it at 85k miles, especially from the East Coast.
Forgot the Narita to Cebu flights.
Will have to work out which economy row to choose on new planes. Usually went for 34F, because it had two windows.
Rotation of the fleet is interesting, because there's a lot of short flights and take offs and landings. I frequently fly to Palau, Saipan and Micronesia. Never used connection to Tokyo.
I wonder how they want to improve check in experience at Guam. It's very crowded in the morning, because of many...
Will have to work out which economy row to choose on new planes. Usually went for 34F, because it had two windows.
Rotation of the fleet is interesting, because there's a lot of short flights and take offs and landings. I frequently fly to Palau, Saipan and Micronesia. Never used connection to Tokyo.
I wonder how they want to improve check in experience at Guam. It's very crowded in the morning, because of many flights departing around the same time.
Recently took Korean Air to Seoul and it was totally different experience, hardly anyone at check-in.
I'm still waiting on that Island Hopper review!