Star Alliance member United Airlines plans to remove a total 100 mainline aircraft, or about 25% of its entire fleet - including its 94-strong Boeing 737 fleet and six Boeing 747s - as part of a larger plan that will see the US major dramatically slash capacity, initiate layoffs, and eliminate its low-cost product Ted.

Some 30 737s were previously earmarked for retirement. But soaring fuel prices have prompted United to pull down the remaining 737 fleet, its oldest and least efficient jets, provided the carrier can work out terms with certain lessors.

According to Flight’s ACAS database, United operates a total fleet of 400 aircraft, including 64 737-300s and 30 737-500s. The carrier owns about two thirds of the -500s, but leases a large portion of the -300s from a mixed bag of lessors. Its 747 fleet comprises 30 747-400s.

About 80 aircraft are expected to be out of the system by the end of 2008, with the othe

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