United Airlines confirms $30bn aeroplane order for 270 jets
United Airlines has officially confirmed it is placing an over $30bn aeroplane order for around 270 Boeing and Airbus jets today, after a flurry of reports regarding the deal yesterday.
After plane prices fell amid the pandemic, the airline sought favourable prices to boost its pandemic recovery, Reuters first reported.
The order includes 200 Boeing 737 MAX and around 70 Airbus A321neo, which will replace older, smaller mainline jets and at least 200 small regional jets between 2022 and 2026, the airline said.
The airline, the US’s third-largest carrier, confirmed the deal at an investor event today – making it the industry’s biggest deal since the beginning of the pandemic, which saw flights grounded across the globe.
The deal will see United’s number of seats boosted by nearly 30 per cent across its domestic network.
As the airline gears up for post-pandemic travel, chief executive Scott Kirby said the new fleet would “accelerate our business to meet a resurgence in air travel”.