United Airlines and Boeing have announced an “historic order” to purchase up to 200 new Boeing widebody planes.
This would constitute the largest single widebody order ever made by a US carrier, and marks the airline’s ambitious next chapter in its plan to upgrade its fleet and replace ageing aircraft.
The order comprises a firm order for 100 new 787 Dreamliners – plus options to add 100 more.
United expects to take delivery of the new planes between 2024 and 2032 and can choose among the 787-8, 9 or 10 models, providing flexibility to support a wide range of routes.
United also exercised options to purchase 44 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft for delivery between 2024 and 2026 – consistent with the United Next 2026 capacity plan – and ordered 56 more MAX aircraft for delivery between 2027 and 2028.
The airline now expects to take delivery of about 700 new narrow and widebody aircraft by the end of 2032, including an average of more than two every week in 2023 and more than three every week in 2024.
“United emerged from the pandemic as the world’s leading global airline and the flag carrier of the United States,” said United CEO Scott Kirby. “This order further solidifies our lead and creates new opportunities for our customers, employees and shareholders by accelerating our plan to connect more people to more places around the globe and deliver the best experience in the sky.”
“With this investment in its future fleet, the 737 MAX and 787 will help United accelerate its fleet modernization and global growth strategy,” said Stan Deal, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “The Boeing team is honored by United’s trust in our family of airplanes to connect people and transport cargo around the world for decades to come.”
Airbus A350 Order Status
United Airlines has had Airbus A350 widebody aircraft on order since 2012.
This order for 45 aircraft has been repeatedly pushed back, and according to Aviation Week, “the airline’s CFO Gerry Laderman said the company has entered into an agreement with Airbus to modify the delivery schedule of the aircraft [to 2030].”
Read the full statement from United Airlines here.
Author
