On Tuesday, October 3, United Airlines unveiled an ambitious plan, announcing its commitment to purchase a total of 110 new aircraft from both Boeing and Airbus. In addition to these acquisitions, the airline has also secured options to acquire an additional 90 planes, signifying a strong vote of confidence in the aviation industry’s future. United Airlines, in a statement, revealed its order of 50 Boeing 787-9s and 60 Airbus A321neo aircraft, with the first deliveries scheduled to commence in 2028.
This substantial investment totals an estimated US$22.4 billion (£187 billion), based on the most recent publicly available catalogue prices of the two aviation giants. United Airlines intends to take delivery of approximately 800 new narrow-body and wide-body aircraft in the timeframe spanning from 2023 to 2032. The company has transformed its existing options and purchase rights into definitive firm orders for the 50 Boeing 787-9s, which are scheduled for delivery between 2028 and 2031. Similarly, the 60 A321neo aircraft from Airbus have also been solidified into firm orders, set to arrive between 2028 and 2030.
“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 United 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.”
In a move that showcases United’s forward-looking strategy, the airline has additionally secured new options for 50 more Boeing 787s and purchase rights for an extra 40 A321neos from Airbus, set to materialise at the end of the decade. United Airlines foresees a significant increase in passenger capacity, with plans to add over 40 additional seats per plane by 2027 compared to the figures from 2019. This decision is driven by anticipated capacity constraints at key airports.
