Boeing has today announced that United Airlines has placed an order for 100 Boeing 787 Dreamliners, plus an option for 100 more. The carrier has also ordered an additional 100 737 MAX Family jets, exercising 44 existing options and placing a new order for 56 more.
On Tuesday (December 13, 2022), Boeing announced that United Airlines has ordered 100 Boeing 787 Dreamliners, and has secured options for 100 more, marking the largest 787 order in Boeing’s history. The carrier has also ordered an additional 100 Boeing 737 MAX Family aircraft, exercising 44 existing options and placing a new order for 56 airplanes. United’s current order book with Boeing includes over 530 jets, including 430+ Boeing 737 MAX Family aircraft.
United expects to take delivery of the new widebody planes from 2024 through 2032, with the flexibility of choosing 787-8, 9, or 10 models. The 44 737 MAX converted options are expected for delivery between 2024 and 2026, while the new order for 56 MAX jets will be delivered between 2027 and 2028. With the new and incremental orders, United Airlines expects to take delivery of approximately 700 new narrow and widebody airplanes by the end of 2032, receiving an average of over two per week in 2023 and over three per week in 2024.
In Tuesday’s announcement, United Airlines’ CEO, Scott Kirby, said,
“United emerged from the pandemic as the world's leading global airline and the flag carrier of the United States. 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.”
Also commenting on the milestone aircraft order, Boeing Commercial Airplanes’ President and CEO, Stan Deal, said,
“With this investment in its future fleet, the 737 MAX and 787 will help United accelerate its fleet modernization and global growth strategy. 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.”
In a separate press release from United Airlines today (December 13, 2022), the carrier stated that approximately 100 of the new 787 Dreamliners will replace older Boeing 767 and 777 aircraft, and United expects to retire all 767s by 2030, resulting in a 25 percent decrease in carbon emissions per seat.
Further commenting on the landmark aircraft order, United Airlines’ EVP and Chief Financial Officer, Gerry Laderman, said,
“This order solves for our current widebody replacement needs in a more fuel-efficient and cost-efficient way, while also giving our customers a best-in-class experience. And if the future of long-haul flying is as bright as we think it will be, United is able to capitalize on those opportunities by exercising these new widebody options - I look forward to the incremental margin and earnings these aircraft will generate.”
United’s EVP and Chief Commercial Officer, Andrew Nocella, added,
“Our widebody fleet will be re-energized by these new 787 deliveries and further strengthen what we do best: connect people and unite the world with modern, customer friendly and fuel-efficient aircraft. United is uniquely positioned to capture international travel demand thanks to our global network, fleet size and gateway hubs. This combination represents a significant advantage for our business for years to come and another reason for business and leisure customers to choose United.”
United Airlines’ Boeing 787 Dreamliner’s are configured in four cabins including Polaris® Business Class, United Premium Plus, Economy Plus®, and Economy Class. Polaris offers all-aisle access, full lie-flat seats, wool blend seat covers and a memory foam cushion for extra breathability and comfort, as well as 16” high -definition IFE touch screens and noise reducing headphones with free access to over 1,000 movies, TV shows, audio playlists, podcasts and games. Polaris guests also receive custom Saks Fifth Avenue bedding including a duvet, day blanket and pillow, as well as an amenity kit from Away, featuring Sunday Riley skincare products. Other items such as mattress pads, slippers and United’s signature cooling gel pillows are available upon request. Premium Plus seats offer a six inch recline, 13” seatback IFE screen, and an amenity kit pillow and blanket at every seat. Economy Plus and Economy Customers also have 10” screens at every seat.
The Boeing 787 Dreamliner offers unparalleled efficiency and flexibility across domestic and international networks, and delivers a 25 percent reduction in fuel use compared to the aircraft it replaces (depending on configuration). The aircraft also features larger windows, LED lighting, a lower cabin altitude setting and higher humidity, delivering a more hydrated and rested travel experience. The 737 MAX Family delivers enhanced reliability and fuel efficiency in the single-aisle market, reducing fuel burn and CO2 emissions by 20 percent versus the airplanes it replaces (depending on configuration).
United Airlines’ shared purpose is ‘Connecting People. Uniting the World.’ In 2019, United and United Express® carriers operated over 1.7 million flights carrying over 162 million guests. United Airlines operates the most comprehensive network among North American carriers with mainland U.S. hubs in Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, New York/Newark, San Francisco and Washington, D.C. Shares in the company’s parent, United Airlines Holdings, Inc., are publicly traded on the NASDAQ under the symbol ‘UAL.’
Boeing (NYSE: BA) is the world’s largest aerospace company and leading supplier of commercial airplanes, defense, space and security systems, as well as global services. The aerospace giant tops the list of the largest U.S. exporters, providing a significant positive impact to America’s annual GDP. Boeing supports government and commercial customers in over 150 countries and employs more than 160,000 team members worldwide. As Boeing continues to deliver for customers, they are committed to their legacy of aerospace leadership in technology and innovation and living the company’s core values of safety, quality and integrity.
Source: Boeing/PRNewswire, United Airlines/PRNewswire