United Airlines announced a historic order for Boeing 787 Dreamliners as the Chicago-based airline will take on the largest widebody aircraft order by a U.S. carrier.
Both United and Boeing stated that the order will see United take on up to 200 787 Dreamliners with 100 firm orders and options for 100 more. The airline will take delivery of the new widebody jets between 2024 and 2032, and can choose between the 787-8, -9, and -10 models.
According to United, 100 of the Dreamliners on order are expected to replace older Boeing 767 and 777 aircraft, with all 767 aircraft to be removed from the United fleet by 2030. The move is expected to decrease United’s carbon emissions per seat by 25% compared to the older aircraft.
In addition to the order for 787s, United will also take on up to 100 more Boeing 737 MAX aircraft. The airline ordered 56 more MAX aircraft to be delivered between 2027 and 2028, while exercising options to purchase 44 more of the jets to be delivered between 2024 and 2026.
“United emerged from the pandemic as the world’s leading global airline and the flag carrier of the United States,” said Scoot Kirby, CEO, United. “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.”
“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, 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.”
“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, EVP and Chief Financial Officer, United. “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.”
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