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United Airlines revealed plans to transform both the inflight and ground experience at its Guam hub yesterday. The airline announced that it will replace its entire Boeing 737-800 fleet with Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft while also upgrading its check-in lobby at Guam’s Antonio B. Won Pat International Airport (GUM) with cutting-edge kiosks designed to streamline operations and reduce wait times for customers.
The first Boeing 737 MAX 8 is scheduled to arrive in February 2026. These new aircraft will bring a modernized onboard experience, featuring:
- Seatback entertainment screens at every seat including 13-inch HD screens in United First℠ and 10-inch HD screens in United Economy.
- Bluetooth connectivity for pairing personal wireless headphones.
- Larger overhead bins to fit every passenger’s carry-on bag.
- Wi-Fi available for purchase, with plans to upgrade to Starlink for free, high-speed streaming for MileagePlus® members in the coming years.
- LED lighting and redesigned interiors for a brighter, more modern cabin feel.
- Up to 166 total seats, including 16 United First℠ seats.
The 737 MAX 8 will also be accessible for passengers with hearing or visual disabilities with USB charging ports at every seat and adaptable entertainment features. When needed, the front rows of Economy class can be reconfigured to accommodate a medical stretcher and support medevac operations.
United is also investing heavily in airport ground services, with the introduction of next-generation kiosks in the Guam check-in lobby. Kiosk upgrades and benefits will deliver a 55% faster check-in process and reduce congestion and average session times to under two minutes. Expanded self-service features include rebooking options for passengers who miss flights. A two-step lobby configuration is designed to minimize wait times and improve customer flow. An accessibility-first design ensures that kiosks are usable for all travelers.
Since installation, 48,000 customers have already saved up to 18 seconds per check-in. Construction is expected to finish by mid-October, followed by a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
United operates 12 daily flights from Guam to 15 destinations, including its unique Island Hopper route connecting Guam and Hawaii through stops at Chuuk, Pohnpei, Kosrae, Kwajalein, and Majuro. I have long wanted to take this route. It’s on most AV geeks wishlists and I hope to be on this route at some point.
The airline also serves Japan’s three largest cities: Tokyo at both Narita Airport (NRT) and Haneda Airport (HND), Osaka’s Kansai International Airport (KIX), and Nagoya’s Chubu Centrair International Airport (NGO) with 42 weekly flights,. It also operates additional routes across Asia and the Pacific, including Manila, Taipei, Saipan, and Koror. Service from Tokyo Narita Airport (NRT) to Palau’s Roman Tmetuchl International Airport (ROR) will launch on October 29th.
United is one of the largest private employers in the region with more than 1,000 employees in Guam and Micronesia. Many of these employees have over 30 years of service. The airline also supports local nonprofits and provides $150,000 annually in donations and hundreds of volunteer hours.
David Kinzelman, United’s Chief Customer Officer, said:
Our investment in new aircraft and a complete refresh of our lobby in Guam will deliver the premium experience our customers expect of United and is part of our broader commitment to elevating the customer experience for our customers in Guam and the broader Pacific region. For customers with connecting flights to or from the mainland U.S., these investments will mean a consistent, seamless experience from check-in to landing.”
Sam Shinohara, United’s Managing Director of Airport Operations in Asia-Pacific, added:
Guam is more than just a hub for us – it’s a gateway that connects communities across the Pacific and the United States. For our more than 1,000 employees based in Guam and Micronesia and the communities we serve, this investment reinforces United’s long-term commitment to supporting Guam and the region’s tourism economy.”
Anthony’s Take: It’s great to see United’s continued commitment to Guam with investments in aircraft and ground services. This is on my bucket list and I’ll report back when the day I get to experience it comes.
(Image Credits: United Airlines.)
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Advertiser & Editorial Disclosure: The Bulkhead Seat earns an affiliate commission for anyone approved through the links above This compensation may impact how and where links appear on this site. We work to provide the best publicly available offers to our readers. We frequently update them, but this site does not include all available offers. Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed, or approved by any of these entities.
1 comment
I’ve done the Island Hopper quite a few times. Makes you appreciate non stops. I always figured this is where United puts it’s oldest planes that are on their last leg.
Got to love the “no betelnut chewing” request on the welcome announcement.