United Airlines has announced it’s buying 110 planes from Boeing and Airbus, set for delivery starting in 2028. This massive order aims to not only expand United’s international routes but also to tackle supply chain issues that have been a real headache for the airline.
A Detailed Look at the Order
United is converting some previous options and purchase rights into solid orders. Specifically, they’re getting 50 Boeing 787-9s that will be delivered between 2028 and 2031. On the Airbus side, 60 A321neos are on the list for delivery between 2028 and 2030. But that’s not all. United also secured new options for up to 50 more 787s and purchase rights for an additional 40 A321neo aircraft at the end of this decade.
This isn’t United’s first big purchase recently. Last year, they also revealed an order for 100 Boeing 787 Dreamliners and 100 737 MAXs. Andrew Nocella, United’s Chief Commercial Officer, said that a lot of the airline’s growth in the coming years will be in global long-haul flights. “In the future, United will increasingly turn to global growth to expand,” he mentioned during a conference call with reporters.
Why This Order Matters
United is focusing a lot on international travel, which makes up about 39% of its passenger revenue this year. That’s even more than before the pandemic hit. Other airlines are also placing big orders to meet the rising demand for international travel. For example, Air Canada bought 18 Dreamliners last month, and Air France-KLM ordered 50 Airbus A350s.
Christian Scherer, Airbus Chief Commercial Officer, said the A321’s fuel efficiency and lower operating costs will be a “game changer” for United. On the Boeing side, Stan Deal, head of Boeing Commercial Airplanes, praised United’s commitment to the 787 Dreamliner family.
Challenges and Future Plans
However, it’s not all smooth sailing. United is dealing with delays in plane deliveries, and Andrew Nocella called the situation “a bit frustrating.” Airports are also facing limitations on runways, airspace, and gate capacity, forcing airlines to reduce the number of flights. United’s solution? Fly bigger planes with more seats. They expect the average seats per departure in North America to go up by 40% in 2027 compared to pre-pandemic levels.
United still has outstanding orders for 45 Airbus A350s, which have been pushed back to at least 2030. Nocella said there’s no change in that order, but for now, the focus is on the 787 fleet. These new 787s will take over the routes currently flown by Boeing’s 767.
United Airlines is betting big on the future of travel with a massive order of 110 planes from Boeing and Airbus. This move aims to expand their international network and address ongoing supply chain issues. With this order, United is gearing up for a future where international travel plays an even bigger role in its operations.
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