United Airlines Chief Financial Officer, John Rainey, told Reuters in an interview this week that although the airline has no immediate interest in purchasing any 777X aircraft, he views the 777-300ER as a potentially good fit for its network rather than the 787-9 as it can fit more seats.
Rainey added that United is not interested in the more expensive 777X but tempered that with the statement that he would have said the same about the 777-300ER, “so things do change", he said.
If the airline does order any 777-300ERs, it will be as an exchange with the aircraft it currently has on order and would not be a new purchase.
The 777-300ER has several advantages – it could be delivered sooner than the A350-1000s United will take delivery on in 2018 and it could replace the two 747s due for retirement this year.