United Airlines has announced it will replace its existing Boeing 737-800 fleet based at its hub on Guam with 737 MAX 8 aircraft, and will make upgrades to its check-in facilities at the island's airport. The airline will also adjust its flight schedules for its Saipan-Guam flights to allow for same-day connections to Honolulu.
According to United, the first 737 MAX 8 featuring the airline's signature interior will arrive on Guam in February 2026.
The 737 MAX 8s have 166 seats, including 16 United First seats. Each seat features its own personal seatback screen, larger overhead bins, and USB charging ports. The seats will also have accessibility features for people with hearing or visual disabilities, and Bluetooth technology will be incorporated to allow for connections between wireless headphones and the personal entertainment system. Wi-Fi will be available for purchase, though United plans to rollout Starlink on its entire fleet within the next few years.
In addition, the front rows of the Economy class can be collapsed to accommodate medical stretcher for patients requiring medevac transport.
Guam Airport Check-in Lobby Upgrade
United is also upgrading its check-in lobby at Guam's Antonio B. Won Pat International Airport.
New next-generation kiosks have been installed, which have reduced the time at check-in by up to 18-seconds (less than two minutes). Along with handling check-in processing, the kiosks will have expanded self-service capabilities which will include a self-booking option for customers who have missed their flight.
The airline states the lobby is being re-configured and redesigned to be more customer-centric, with the completion scheduled in mid-October.
Saipan-Guam Flight Schedule Adjustment
To facilitate same-day connections for travelers from Saipan onto its daily Guam-Honolulu flights, United will adjust its departure times three days within the daily flight schedule on its Saipan-Guam flights.
Starting December 1 through March 27, 2026, adjusted schedule from Saipan to Guam will depart at 0600H. Upon arrival at Guam, the connection time onto the Guam-Honolulu flight will be around 55 minutes. These flights will be operated three days a week (Monday, Wednesday, and Friday).
“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,” said David Kinzelman, United’s Chief Customer Officer. “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.”
United currently operates its Guam-based 737s to 15 destinations on 12 flights per day, including the Island Hopper route that makes five islands in Micronesia between Guam and Honolulu. The airline operates 42 weekly flights to four points in Japan – Tokyo (Haneda/Narita), Osaka Kansai, and Nagoya, along with other flights from Guam to Koror, Manila, Saipan, Yap, and Taipei.
In addition, the Guam-based 737s are used on flights from Narita to Cebu, Ulaanbaatar, Saipan, Kaoshiung, and Palau (starting October 29).
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