United completes transition to an all-B737-8 fleet at Guam

By Andrew Curran.

United Airlines has transitioned its Guam-based fleet to an all-B737 MAX 8 line-up ahead of schedule. The airline had targeted the end of 2027 to complete the process but has confirmed that all the B737-800s formerly based in Guam have now been replaced by B737-8s.

“We said we would replace the entire Guam fleet with MAX 8 aircraft by the end of this year, and we’ve finished early,” said United Chief Customer Officer David Kinzelman.

United now has 10 B737-8s based at Guam (GUM), from which it operates to 15 airports, including 12 non-stop. Aero South Pacific has identified those aircraft as:

• N17302 (msn 67559)
• N17303 (msn 67561)
• N17306 (msn 67505)
• N17309 (msn 67563)
• N17316 (msn 67596)
• N17322 (msn 67575)
• N17326 (msn 67580)
• N17329 (msn 67581)
• N27304 (msn 67562)
• N37308 (msn 67564)

From Guam, United operates to airports across the Federated States of Micronesia, the Northern Mariana Islands, Palau, Japan, Taiwan and the Philippines. It also flies to Honolulu (HNL), either non-stop or via its Island Hopper service. The non-stop Honolulu flights are operated by B777-300ERs that are not based in Guam. The Guam-based B737-8s serve the remainder of United’s network operating out of the US territory.

United says the MAX 8s are specially configured to support the needs of communities across the region. This includes the ability to convert the front rows of the economy cabin to accommodate a medical stretcher for patients requiring medevac transportation. The aircraft are also among the first in United’s fleet to be equipped with Starlink Wi-Fi, which the airline says is particularly relevant in a region where many flights operate over long stretches of open ocean.

A United Airlines spokesperson told Aero South Pacific that there were no immediate plans to expand the airline’s network out of Guam but said the B737-8s gave United more options than the B737-800s they replaced.

“These aircraft are more fuel efficient and therefore can deliver a longer range, so we’re excited about what might be possible in the future,” the spokesperson said.

Over the past decade, United has axed non-stop flights from Guam to Hong Kong (HKG), Shanghai (PVG), Fukuoka (FUK), Sendai (SDJ) and Sapporo (CTS) for various reasons.

Another typhoon threatens Guam and neighbouring islands, flights disrupted

Meanwhile, Guam and its neighbouring islands faced down Typhoon Champi over the weekend. Guam’s A.B. Won Pat International Airport remained open, although flights were heavily disrupted. United Airlines, the airport’s largest carrier, cancelled the most flights. Other airlines cancelling services included Air Seoul, Korean Air, Japan Airlines, Micronesian Air Connection Services (MACS) and Star Marianas Air.

Both MACS and Star Marianas Air are local airlines operating small aircraft. Guam-based MACS does not normally fly at weekends but said it anticipated resuming scheduled services on October 18, depending on the weather.

“Our team is closely monitoring weather conditions and will provide updates should any flights be affected,” the airline’s advisory read.

Northern Mariana Islands-based Star Marianas Air cancelled all flights from midday on October 17 until midday on October 19. The airline plans to resume services between Saipan (SPN) and Tinian (TIQ) later today, October 19, with flights to and from Guam scheduled to resume on October 20.

“Safety remains our top priority,” a Star Marianas Air travel alert said. “We will continue to monitor the weather and provide further updates as conditions change.”

Guam and neighbouring islands have been buffeted by several severe typhoons this year, disrupting flights and causing widespread infrastructure damage. In April, Super Typhoon Sinlaku caused extensive damage at Saipan Airport, leading several airlines to cancel all flights to the airport for several months.

Photo: United Airlines.
Contact the writer: andrew@aerosouthpacific.com