Aircraft Cabin Management

United orders 110 extra aircraft

United Airlines
photo_camera Many more United 737-9 and Airbuis A321NEOs will be taking to the sky soon. (Pic: United airlines archive)

United Airlines has announced orders for 110 more aircraft for delivery beginning in 2028.

The airline converted previous options and purchase rights into firm orders for 50 Boeing 787-9s for delivery between 2028 through 2031, as well as 60 Airbus A321neos for delivery between 2028 and 2030. The company also secured new options for up to 50 more Boeing 787s and purchase rights for an additional 40 A321neo aircraft at the end of the decade.

READ: United introduces new cabin policies to assist wheelchair users

“We’re building a bright future at United and this order takes our already successful ‘United Next’ plan into the next decade and beyond,” said CEO Scott Kirby. “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.”

United expects to take delivery of about 800 new narrowbody and widebody aircraft between 2023 and the end of 2032.

Airbus A321neo

A key component of the United Next plan is growth in gauge, essentially flying larger planes with more available seats on the same route.

In 2019, United averaged 104 seats per North American departure, among the lowest in the industry. By 2027, the airline expects that number to jump more than 40% to over 145. United now has 180 A321neo and over 370 737 MAX aircraft on firm order through 2030.

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