United Airlines has reached a major milestone by welcoming its 1,000th mainline aircraft, a Boeing 737 MAX 9. This delivery has made United the world’s largest airline by mainline fleet size, surpassing other carriers. Here’s a detailed breakdown of what this means for United’s operations and how it’s shaping their flight routes globally.
1,000th Aircraft Delivery: A Boeing 737 MAX 9
The landmark aircraft, registered as N77584, was delivered from Seattle Boeing Field to Seattle Tacoma, marking a significant addition to United’s mainline fleet. The delivery came shortly after another MAX 9 (N77587) flew from Seattle to Portland.
United Airlines’ Growing MAX Operations
Current MAX Fleet Overview
As of January 29, 2025, United Airlines has a robust fleet of 527 MAX aircraft:
- 111 Boeing 737 MAX 8s (166 seats each)
- 87 Boeing 737 MAX 9s (179 seats each)
Although United operates the largest fleet of MAX 9s globally, it ranks second for MAX 8s after Southwest Airlines.
Planned Operations for February 2025
In February, United will operate 17,500 flights using MAX aircraft, making up over 25% of its mainline narrowbody services. The MAX 8 is now United’s third most-used single-aisle plane, following the 737-800 and 737-900ER.
Fleet Expansion Boosts Flight Frequency
United has increased its daily movements from 530 in February 2024 to 625 in February 2025—a nearly 20% rise. The busiest day of the month is February 27, with 669 MAX movements scheduled.
Newark Airport: The Hub of MAX Operations
Why Newark Is Key
Newark Liberty International Airport is United’s busiest airport for MAX flights, with an average of 102 daily departures. It ranks as the third busiest airport globally for the 737 MAX 9 and the sixth for the MAX 8.
Other Major Airports for United’s MAX Flights
| Airport | Daily MAX Departures (Avg.) | % of Mainline Narrowbody Flights | Top MAX Route |
|---|---|---|---|
| Newark | 102 | 47% | Miami |
| Houston Intercontinental | 56 | 23% | Newark |
| Denver | 52 | 19% | Phoenix |
| San Francisco | 45 | 32% | Los Angeles |
| Chicago O’Hare | 39 | 17% | Newark |
| Los Angeles | 24 | 36% | Houston Intercontinental |
| Washington Dulles | 24 | 27% | San Juan |
| Orlando | 15 | 35% | Newark |
| Miami | 13 | 56% | Newark |
| Cancun | 12 | 69% | Houston Intercontinental |
MAX Routes: Domestic and International Coverage
In February, United will operate MAX aircraft on 310 routes, including 240 domestic and 70 international ones. Some key routes will see up to eight daily departures. Here are the top five busiest routes:
- Newark to Miami: 179 departures (4–8 daily)
- Newark to Orlando: 174 departures (4–7 daily)
- Newark to West Palm Beach: 168 departures (3–8 daily)
- Newark to Chicago O’Hare: 165 departures (2–8 daily)
- Newark to Tampa: 138 departures (3–6 daily)
Summer Plans: Transatlantic Expansion
United’s MAX aircraft won’t operate across the Atlantic until summer 2025, when they will begin flying from Newark to new destinations like Funchal (Madeira) and Ponta Delgada (Azores).
United Airlines’ fleet expansion with the Boeing 737 MAX is transforming its operations, particularly at key hubs like Newark. The MAX aircraft are becoming vital for both domestic and international travel, allowing United to increase capacity and improve efficiency. As the world’s largest mainline fleet carrier, United is set to continue its dominance, with its MAX operations being a key part of its growth strategy.