Originally Posted by coast in (Post 3899644)

Airlines have historically retired airframes right around the 30 year mark. Lots of factors go into this. 3rd heavy check happens right around 30 years and they usually find 30 years of acummulated problems when they open them up. Northwests DC9's, FedEx's 757's and, yes, United's 767-300's are the exceptions. The mid 1990's UAL A320's are probably the second least reliable fleet in the airline, after the early 1990's 767-300's. These aircraft aren't being 'parked', they are being retired. This nothing new in the Airline world.

Originally Posted by coast in (Post 3899644)

The mid 1990's UAL A320's are probably the second least reliable fleet in the airline, after the early 1990's 767-300's. These aircraft aren't being 'parked', they are being retired. This nothing new in the Airline world.

Originally Posted by jerryleber (Post 3899678)

And the airline has a replacement plan including replacing the A320s with MAX’s and A321s as many have said. Not so for the 767-300s at least in the near term so they are worth the higher maintenance costs while waiting on the 787 production rate to recover. And United is not shrinking yet. UA has added 22 mainline aircraft in 2025 and just sent the first two A320s to the desert.

Here is an interesting bit on aircraft retirement.

https://blog.sourceonespares.com/exploring-aircraft-lifespans-and-retirement-decisions#:~:text=Designed%20for%20a%20service%20l ife,Factors%20Influencing%20Variations%20in%20Life spans

Originally Posted by JackReacher (Post 3899517)

Actually, after the new interiors and fresh coat of paint, they looked brand new. And yes, they “looked” new. The ‘Bus’ Achilles heel is the hydraulic system as they’ve aged. But the completion rate of the Airbus fleet is very similar, if not better that the others.

Originally Posted by OFFCOURSE (Post 3899729)

So why spend millions on the updated interior and new paint only to park them a few months later? Where is the return on investment? This company just spends money like they print it.

Originally Posted by OFFCOURSE (Post 3899729)

So why spend millions on the updated interior and new paint only to park them a few months later? Where is the return on investment?
This company just spends money like they print it. If things get tight and lean as everyone predicts , I hope they don’t need some of the cash they are blowing nowadays on uniforms no one likes and stuff like this .

Originally Posted by jdt30 (Post 3899812)

they haven’t painted and refreshed all of the buses.