A Legendary United Airlines Jet, Now a Collector’s Piece

For over three decades, the Boeing 767-300ER has been a staple of long-haul travel, known for its efficiency, reliability, and comfort. One such aircraft, N646UA, spent its life soaring through the skies with United Airlines, carrying passengers across continents before reaching its retirement. Now, thanks to MotoArt PlaneTags, aviation enthusiasts and collectors have the opportunity to own a piece of this historic aircraft.

Let’s take a closer look at the story of N646UA, its role in aviation history, and how it was transformed into exclusive PlaneTags. Get your own United Airlines 767 PlaneTags beginning February 6, 2025.

Boeing 767-322ER: The Story of N646UA

A Workhorse of the Skies

By Olivier CABARET - https://www.flickr.com/photos/48518396@N08/46548382245/, CC BY 2.0, Link

The Boeing 767-300ER (Extended Range) is one of the most successful twin-engine widebody aircraft ever built. Designed to handle transatlantic and transpacific routes, it became a favorite among airlines for its fuel efficiency, range, and passenger comfort.
In the 1970s, airlines needed a mid-sized, long-haul aircraft that could bridge the gap between smaller narrow-body planes like the Boeing 727 and the larger Boeing 747. Rising fuel costs and increasing demand for direct, long-distance travel led Boeing to develop the 767 as part of their twin-aisle revolution. The aircraft was designed to provide greater efficiency and flexibility, making it ideal for transatlantic routes previously dominated by quad-engine aircraft.

The Boeing 767 first flew in 1981 and entered service with United Airlines in 1982. It was introduced during a time of deregulation in the airline industry, which led to airlines seeking more cost-effective, fuel-efficient solutions. The 767-300ER, an extended-range version, debuted in 1988, allowing airlines to reach farther destinations without the operating costs of older quad-engine aircraft such as the Boeing 707 or the McDonnell Douglas DC-10.

This aircraft also marked a turning point in aviation by pioneering the two-person glass cockpit, reducing the need for a flight engineer and setting a precedent for modern cockpit automation. The success of the 767 influenced later aircraft designs, including the Boeing 777 and the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, which adopted similar twin-engine efficiency concepts to maximize long-haul performance.

United Airlines Boeing 767-300ER At A Glance

Boeing 767-300ER Specifications:

• Manufacturer: Boeing

• Type: 767-322ER

• Tail #: N646UA

• Crew: 2 Pilots, 6 Flight Attendants

• Seats: 214 (30 Polaris, 49 Economy Plus, 135 Economy)

• Wing Span: 167 ft 0 in

• Length: 180 ft 3 in

• Height: 51 ft 10 in

Boeing 767-300ER Performance:

• Range: 6,882 mi

• Cruise Speed: 528 mph

• Ceiling: 43,000 ft

• Empty Weight: 203,900 lb

• Max Takeoff Weight: 412,000 lb

• Rate Of Climb: 2,500 ft/minute

• Engines: 2 x Pratt and Whitney PW4060 Turbofans

United Airlines Service

United Airlines was the launch customer for the Boeing 767, marking a significant shift in the airline’s long-haul strategy. United initially ordered 30 Boeing 767s, making a strong commitment to this new widebody aircraft. These jets were used to expand United’s transcontinental and transatlantic networks, offering greater efficiency compared to older quad-engine aircraft.

By Mark Harkin - N646UA, CC BY 2.0, Link

N646UA was delivered to United Airlines in the 1990s, becoming an integral part of the airline’s long-haul fleet. This aircraft played a key role in expanding United’s international and domestic routes, particularly coast-to-coast flights and transatlantic services.

The Boeing 767 allowed United Airlines to introduce new non-stop services between major U.S. cities and key international destinations, reducing the need for stopovers and offering passengers more direct connectivity. Some of the routes that the 767 helped establish included:

• New York (JFK) to London (LHR) – Strengthening United’s presence on the competitive transatlantic market.
• Chicago (ORD) to Frankfurt (FRA) – Supporting business and leisure travel between the U.S. Midwest and Europe.
• Los Angeles (LAX) to Honolulu (HNL) – Providing an efficient widebody option for high-demand leisure routes.
• San Francisco (SFO) to Tokyo (NRT) – Expanding United’s reach into the Asia-Pacific region.

Thanks to its extended range and fuel efficiency, the Boeing 767-300ER helped United maintain competitive non-stop services on routes that were previously dominated by larger aircraft like the DC-10 and 747.

By AlainDurand - Gallery page http://www.airliners.net/photo/United-Airlines/Boeing-767-322-ER/1183346/LPhoto http://cdn-www.airliners.net/aviation-photos/photos/6/4/3/1183346.jpg, GFDL 1.2, Link

In 2022, N646UA was undergoing repainting in United’s new Evo Blue livery when significant corrosion was discovered. Due to the extent of the corrosion and the aircraft’s age, United Airlines made the decision to retire N646UA rather than proceed with costly repairs. This marked the end of its commercial service, but its story was far from over.

From Retirement to Rebirth – How MotoArt Found N646UA

As commercial aircraft retire, many end up in aircraft graveyards or are dismantled for parts and scrap metal. But MotoArt saw something more in N646UA—a chance to preserve its legacy in a tangible way.

When MotoArt discovered the Boeing 767-322ER, they knew it was a perfect candidate for PlaneTags. The aircraft's fuselage was carefully recovered, ensuring that the original textures, colors, and markings were preserved. Every PlaneTag cut from its skin would tell a story—one of adventure, engineering, and aviation history.

“We’re thrilled to add the Boeing 767 to our United Airlines collection, which already includes the 757 and 727,” said Dave Hall, owner of MotoArt PlaneTags. “The 767 has such a rich history, not just with United but in the evolution of long-haul travel. Being able to preserve a piece of N646UA and share it with aviation enthusiasts is an incredible opportunity.”

Do you love United Airlines history? Don’t miss N7630U, a United Airlines 727, and N559UA, a United Airlines 757, and N7262U, a United B727 in Battleship Grey livery.

United Airlines Boeing 767 PlaneTags – A Collector’s Dream

Handcrafted from History

The process of creating Boeing 767 PlaneTags involves carefully cutting, shaping, and engraving each piece from the aircraft’s fuselage. Every tag is unique, showcasing the aircraft’s original paint, patina, and surface variations from its years in service.

Exclusive Variants & Features

MotoArt PlaneTags from N646UA come in different variations, depending on the section of the fuselage they were cut from. Find out on February 6, 2025 what the Boeing 767 PlaneTags will look like, including: 

• Colors Available: Some tags retain United Airlines' classic paint scheme, while others feature weathered metal textures, revealing the aircraft’s true age and service history.
• Limited Edition: Each tag is numbered and unique, making it a rare collector’s item.
• Authenticity Guaranteed: Every PlaneTag is thoroughly researched and documented, verifying its history as part of Boeing 767-322ER N646UA.

Why Own a Boeing 767 PlaneTag?

Owning a Boeing 767 PlaneTag is more than just having a piece of an aircraft—it’s about preserving aviation history. Whether you’re a United Airlines fan, a frequent flyer, a Boeing enthusiast, or a PlaneTags collector, these tags offer a tangible connection to the golden age of long-haul travel.

Collectors love these tags for their one-of-a-kind character, aviation significance, and craftsmanship. If you’ve ever flown on a United Airlines 767, this is your chance to own a piece of a plane that might have carried you across the skies.