The United Airlines Airbus A350 order is back in the spotlight after the airline disclosed a dispute with Rolls-Royce that could affect when the long-delayed jets finally arrive. In a regulatory filing late Thursday, United told investors it has no clear timetable for deliveries, even though the order remains listed in its plans.
The order itself goes back to 2009, before United merged with Continental Airlines. The deal has been reworked and deferred more than once over the years, and the latest update adds another layer of uncertainty. Rolls-Royce is the only engine supplier for the Airbus A350, so any disagreement with the engine maker can quickly spill into aircraft delivery planning.
A filing that keeps 45 jets but offers no schedule
United’s filing continues to show 45 A350s on its books for arrival after 2027, yet it does not give a delivery schedule. A previous annual filing had pointed to expected deliveries beyond 2026, which makes the lack of a new timeline stand out.
United said it signed a long-term contract with Rolls-Royce in 2010 to buy engines and maintenance services. The airline also said it paid $175 million upfront in 2017. United claims that in December last year, Rolls-Royce breached the contract terms, leading United to demand the return of its $175 million, plus an additional amount. Rolls-Royce denies breaking any contract.
United’s filing says the two sides now disagree on who owes whom money. United says Rolls-Royce refused to pay and argued United was at fault. Rolls-Royce, in turn, says it has complied with its obligations under agreements dating back to 2010, and it declined to go further because of legal proceedings.
Rolls-Royce also described United as a “valued customer” and said it wants to resolve what it called a “historic issue” and strengthen the partnership. “We’re aware of the issue and are confident in our position,” the spokesperson said.
What it could mean for Airbus, Boeing, and United’s widebody plans
Industry analysts often point out that widebody deals involve three connected relationships: the airline, the planemaker, and the engine supplier. United hinted at that reality in its filing, saying it is weighing what the dispute could mean for other parties, a likely reference to Airbus.
Airbus declined to comment, and it continues to show the stalled order on its published backlog. Industry sources describe that as a routine step to protect any contractual rights. A United spokesperson also declined to comment beyond the filing.
The situation matters because United sits at the center of a long-running competition between Airbus and Boeing. In September 2025, United CEO Scott Kirby said the airline expected to announce its decision on the A350 order later that year. The repeated deferrals since then have kept questions alive about what United will ultimately do.
United has said its decision ties directly to long-term widebody replacement needs, especially the eventual replacement of older Boeing 767 and 777 aircraft. Industry talk has also included the possibility that United could cancel the A350 order or convert it into other Airbus aircraft, such as models from the A321neo family, which United has already ordered in large numbers.
For now, United’s filing leaves a clear takeaway: the A350 order remains on paper, but the delivery picture stays unsettled while the dispute with Rolls-Royce plays out.
Attribution: Reuters
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