United takes first Boeing 737 MAX; set to begin services in June

United has taken delivery of its first Boeing 737 MAX-family aircraft, a 737-9, and confirmed plans to start service with the newest Boeing narrowbody twinjets in early June. The carrier, which has 161 737 MAX-family aircraft on order, expects to take delivery of three 737-9s in April and six before the aircraft enters scheduled service on June 7. It will have 10 737-9s by year-end, meaning the aircraft will make up nearly half of the 24 planned additions to the carrier’s mainline fleet in 2018. Initial 737-9 routes will connect United’s Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport hub and five cities: Anchorage, Alaska; Austin, Texas; Fort Lauderdale and Orlando, Florida; and San Diego, California. The Anchorage service marks the return of a seasonal route. Additional 737-9 flights will begin June 29. United’s 737-9s are configured with 179 seats, including in 20 first-class and 44 in economy plus. Like the carrier’s 787s, the 737 MAXs will feature a special livery the airline said is intended to emphasize its eco-friendliness.<br/>