United Airlines Expands Fleet to 1,000 Planes, Becomes World's Largest Airline

United Airlines has officially become the world's largest airline by fleet size, now operating 1,000 mainline aircraft. This milestone strengthens its leadership in available seat miles and international reach.

United surpassed American Airlines and Delta Air Lines, which operate 985 and 978 mainline aircraft, respectively. The achievement was marked by the recent addition of a Boeing 737 MAX 9. In 2024, United led all U.S. airlines in available seat miles, recording 311.2 billion, a 6.8% increase from 2023. This exceeded American's 292.9 billion and Delta's 288.4 billion seat miles.

United's long-haul and ultra-long-haul routes contributed to its capacity growth. The airline's average flight segment length is 1,490 miles, higher than American's 1,154 miles. It also serves the most international destinations among U.S. airlines, covering countries across all continents.

Despite its fleet size, United is not the most profitable U.S. carrier. In 2024, Delta reported the highest operating income at $6 billion, followed by United at $5.1 billion and American at $2.6 billion. However, United slightly outpaced Delta in total revenue, earning $57.1 billion compared to Delta's $57 billion.

United's growth strategy during the pandemic played a key role in its success. Unlike American Airlines, which retired older aircraft, United retained most of its fleet. This positioned the airline for a rapid recovery once travel demand rebounded. United also placed one of the largest aircraft orders in the industry, securing Airbus A321neos, A321XLRs, and Boeing 737 MAX variants. These orders will ensure fleet expansion and modernization in the coming years.

Looking ahead, United Airlines aims to maintain its lead with a strong aircraft delivery pipeline. In 2025, it expects deliveries of Airbus A321neos, A321XLRs, and multiple Boeing 787 variants. This will further strengthen its position in fleet size and capacity.

Delta and American are also expanding, with Delta focusing on wide-body aircraft like the Airbus A330-900neo and A350-900. American Airlines is awaiting new Airbus A321XLRs and Boeing 787-9s. However, manufacturing delays could impact fleet growth, making it uncertain which airline will emerge on top.

United's dominance is built on a strong international presence and long-haul strategy. With its continued fleet expansion and global reach, the airline is well-positioned to maintain its leadership in the competitive U.S. airline industry.

Read More: Delta Wins Wall Street's Best U.S. Airline Title for Fourth Consecutive Year