United to Retire Boeing 747 Sooner Than Expected

United Airlines (UAL) - Get Report is retiring its double-decker Boeing (BA) - Get Report 747-400 jumbo jet at the end of 2017. The airline previously planned to move the jet out of service at the end of 2018. This comes as more fuel-efficient planes, like the Boeing 777 and 787 Dreamliner, take center stage in the industry. United has 20 747s in its fleet, which can seat 374 passengers.