United Airlines has ferried another Boeing 777-200 widebody aircraft to Victorville. According to media reports and flight-tracking data, the aircraft is being stored rather than retired. The 25-year-old Boeing 777-200, registered as N212UA, operated a ferry flight from Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) to Southern California Logistics Airport (VCV) in Victorville, California, on December 29, 2025.
This development comes about a month after the first Boeing 777-200 (registration N777UA) ever delivered completed what is believed to be its final flight with United Airlines, with the carrier sending the aircraft into storage after more than 30 years of active service.
More About United Airlines’ N212UA
United Airlines’ Boeing 777-200, registered as N212UA, was first delivered in July 2000 after being ordered in 1998. As of March 31, 2025, the aircraft has accumulated 80,162 flight hours and 17,055 flight cycles, according to ch-aviation data. The 25.4-year-old widebody aircraft can accommodate a total of 364 passengers in a three-class configuration: 28 in business class, 102 in economy comfort, and 234 in economy class.
On December 29, 2025, the aircraft was ferried to Victorville, a major public-use facility primarily focused on aircraft storage, maintenance, and logistics. According to JonNYC, United’s Boeing 777-200 has been placed in storage rather than formally retired. Storage is a temporary, reversible status designed to preserve the option for future reactivation, whereas retirement is a permanent end-of-life designation that removes the aircraft from the operator’s active fleet. While the precise rationale remains unclear, the aircraft is likely being stored for potential use of its parts and engines at a later date.
While in the early days, these aircraft were utilized to support the airline’s long-haul network, today they are configured domestically, providing extra capacity on key trunk-line transcontinental routes across the United States or short-haul international trips.
Replacing Its Older Widebodies With 787s And A350s
United Airlines is in the process of replacing its older widebody fleet, including its 777-200s, 777-200ERs, and 767s, with newer-generation, fuel-efficient aircraft. Currently, the Chicago-based airline operates 19 777-200s, 55 777-200ERs, 37 767-300ERs, and 16 767-400ERs. Among these widebodies, the oldest are the 767-300ERs, which have an average age of 29.9 years, followed closely by the 777-200s at an average age of 28.9 years.
The airline is gradually replacing its older fleet with newer equipment such as Airbus A350s and Boeing 787 Dreamliners. Most of the 777-200ER fleet is expected to be phased out by December 2027, with full replacement by 787s and A350s likely completed by 2030.
At present, United Airlines operates 48 787-9s, 21 787-10s, and 12 787-8s. Looking ahead, the Chicago-based airline has firm orders for 140 additional 787-9s and 45 Airbus A350-900s, according to ch-aviation.
United Airlines Takes Delivery Of 3 Airbus A321neos In Less Than A Week
The carrier took delivery of three A321neos in less than a week, including two on the same day and another just before Christmas.
Taking Narrowbody Deliveries At A Rapid Pace
United Airlines has been receiving its Airbus A321neo narrowbody aircraft at a rapid pace. According to FlightAware.com, the carrier took delivery of three A321neos in less than a week, including two on the same day and another just before Christmas.
With the three A321neos recently delivered, United Airlines boasts a fleet of 56 A321neos, with an average age of one year, as per ch-aviation data. Looking ahead, the Chicago-based airline is looking to welcome a total of 149 A321neos. Additionally, the carrier is awaiting 50 Airbus A321XLR narrowbodies.
In addition to its A321neos, the airline operates a fleet of 72 A319s, 67 A320-200s, 141 Boeing 737-800s, 136 Boeing 737-900ERs, 123 737 MAX 8s, 119 737 MAX 9s, 40 Boeing 737-700s, and 12 Boeing 737-900 narrowbody aircraft. United also operates a sizable Boeing 757 fleet, totaling 61 aircraft.
#United #Airlines #Ferries #Boeing #Victorville
Leave a Reply