787-9 and A321 Neo: United delights Airbus and Boeing with large orders

On September 28, an Airbus A321 Neo took to the skies over Hamburg from Finkenwerder Airport. He completed his first journey. And it wasn’t just any sample. The aircraft, serial number 11500, is the first A321 Neo that United Airlines will add to its fleet.

From December 14, the new aircraft will fly to destinations in the USA from Chicago O’Hare with the number N44501. United will receive an additional 69 A321 Neos and 50 A321 XLR aircraft. At least that was the plan so far. However, on Tuesday evening (October 3), the American airline announced a large new order.

New options for Airbus A321 Neo and Boeing 787

United exercised options and purchase rights for 60 A321 Neos, making it a firm order. The total order from Airbus now includes 180 A321 Neo and A321 XLR aircraft. It can grow again. At the same time, the airline has secured new purchase rights for an additional 40 A321 Neos. The new aircraft are scheduled to be delivered between 2028 and 2030.

As with their last major order, the Americans are not just making Airbus happy. They are also following Boeing’s example. United exercises options and rights to purchase 50 additional 787-9 aircraft. The Dreamliner aircraft are scheduled to be delivered between 2028 and 2031. Here too, the airline has got new options for 50 additional variants. United has ordered a total of 150 Boeing 787s.

Expansion with larger aircraft

This helps continue United’s Next plan into the next decade and beyond, commented United President Scott Kirby. This has already helped it “overtake other airlines that have stopped.” “I am convinced that our strategy is the right one.” One of the key elements of the plan is to increase capacity. This helps achieve lower costs per seat.