United Orders 156 Boeing 787s and 737s; Exercises Options for 44 MAX Aircraft

(14/12/22)  United Airlines has ordered 100 Boeing 787 aircraft, with options on 100 more.

United expects to take delivery of the new widebody planes between 2024 and 2032, and has negotiated the flexibility to choose among the 787-8, 787-9 or 787-10 models.

United also exercised options to purchase 44 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft for delivery between 2024 and 2026, and ordered 56 more MAX aircraft for delivery between 2027 and 2028.

The airline now expects to take delivery of about 700 new narrow and widebody aircraft by the end of 2032, including an average of more than two every week in 2023 and more than three every week in 2024.

United Airlines Boeing 787-9 reg: N24974. Picture by Steven Howard of TravelNewsAsia.com

Approximately 100 planes of the new widebody order are expected to replace older Boeing 767 and Boeing 777 aircraft, with all 767 aircraft removed from the United fleet by 2030, resulting in up to an expected 25% decrease in carbon emissions per seat for the new planes compared to the older planes they are expected to replace.

The deal with Boeing is also is expected to lead to increased hiring. The airline hired 15,000 people in 2022 and is on track to add another 15,000 next year.

"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," said Gerry Laderman, United's EVP and Chief Financial Officer. "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."

Additionally, United continues to upgrade the interiors of its existing fleet. More than 90% of the carrier's international widebodies now feature the United Polaris business class seat, as well as United Premium Plus seating with upgrades for the remaining aircraft scheduled for completion by summer 2023.

United will also retrofit 100% of its mainline, narrow-body planes with its signature interior. About 100 aircraft are scheduled to be completed in 2023 with the remaining expected to be completed by the end of 2025.

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