Building on the carrier’s ‘United Next’ strategy, United Airlines has firmed an incremental order for 50 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, while securing options for up to 50 more. The airline has also ordered 60 Airbus A321neos, while securing purchase rights for 40 more.
On Tuesday (October 3, 2023), United Airlines announced a substantial order for 110 aircraft with deliveries from 2028. As part of the order, United has converted previous options and purchase rights into firm orders for 50 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners for delivery from 2028 through 2030, while securing options for up to 50 more. The carrier has also placed an incremental order for 60 Airbus A320neos for delivery between 2028 and 2030, and has also secured purchase rights for an additional 40 of the type by the end of the decade.
In Tuesday’s announcement, United Airlines’ CEO, Scott Kirby, said,
“We’re building a bright future at United and this order takes our already successful United Next plan into the next decade and beyond. Our planning and focus on the long term have helped us surge past other airlines that stood still. I'm convinced our strategy is the right one as we continue to add new, larger aircraft to take full advantage of our growing flying opportunities both internationally and domestically.”
Also commenting on the substantial 787-9 order, Boeing Commercial Airplanes’ CEO, Stan Deal, said,
“United’s unprecedented commitment to the 787 Dreamliner family is a testament to the market-leading operating economics and reliability of Boeing's widebody jets. With the 787, United will enjoy all the synergies of operating one of the largest, most efficient fleets in the skies.”
The Boeing 787 Dreamliner Family is the world’s best selling widebody airplane with over 1,800 orders form 87 customers worldwide, including more than 870 repeat orders from 56 customers. In the last year alone, the 787 Family has won nearly 350 orders and commitments.
Further commenting on United’s new aircraft order, Airbus’ Chief Commercial Officer and Head of Airbus International, Christian Scherer, added,
“Upon introduction of the A321neo into its fleet in the coming weeks, United will take full benefit of Airbus’ Airspace cabin, providing an exceptional customer and cabin crew experience completely in phase with the United Next initiative. With regard to operations, the A321neo’s fuel efficiency, lower carbon footprint and lower maintenance and operating costs will be a game changer for our partners at United.”
The largest member of the Airbus A320neo Family, to date, the A321neo has received more than 5,400 orders from customers across the globe.
At United Airlines, ‘Good Leads the Way.’ The airline operates the most comprehensive network among North American carriers with U.S. hubs in Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, New York/Newark, San Francisco and Washington, D.C. As measured by available seat miles (ASMs), United is now the world’s largest airline. Shares in the company’s parent, United Airlines Holdings, Inc., are publicly traded on the NASDAQ under the symbol ‘UAL.’
Source(s): United Airlines/PRNewswire, Boeing/PRNewswire, Airbus