CHICAGO, ILLINOIS — United Airlines today announced the largest widebody order by a U.S. airline in commercial aviation history: 100 Boeing 787 Dreamliners with options to purchase 100 more. United expects to take delivery of the new widebody planes between 2024 and 2032 and keeps the right to choose among the 787-8, 9, or 10 models.
United also exercised options to purchase 44 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft for delivery between 2024 and 2026 - consistent with the United Next 2026 capacity plan - 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.
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.
"United emerged from the pandemic as the world's leading global airline and the flag carrier of the United States," said United CEO Scott Kirby.
"This order further solidifies our lead and creates new opportunities for our customers, employees, and shareholders by accelerating our plan to connect more people to more places around the globe and deliver the best experience in the sky," he added.
"With this investment in its future fleet, the 737 MAX and 787 will help United accelerate its fleet modernization and global growth strategy," said Stan Deal, president, and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes.
"The Boeing team is honored by United's trust in our family of airplanes to connect people and transport cargo around the world for decades to come," Mr. Deal added.
The firm order for 787 aircraft addresses United's current widebody aircraft replacement needs through the next decade – their improved maintenance and fuel burn economics will further United's efforts to improve its overall cost profile. In partnership with Boeing, this order also will allow the U.S. carrier to maintain flexibility with the timing of widebody aircraft retirements. The 787 options will also enable United to continue to grow its global network.
"The Boeing team is honored by United's trust in our family of airplanes to connect people and transport cargo around the world for decades to come," Mr. Deal added.
The firm order for 787 aircraft addresses United's current widebody aircraft replacement needs through the next decade – their improved maintenance and fuel burn economics will further United's efforts to improve its overall cost profile. In partnership with Boeing, this order also will allow the U.S. carrier to maintain flexibility with the timing of widebody aircraft retirements. The 787 options will also enable United to continue to grow its global network.
