The Chicago-based airline’s order for 200 airplanes has inventory prices of approximately $43 billion. It is a significant increase for the U.S. planemaker that has encountered political and production problems for the two planes this year.
United stated Tuesday it is also exerting options to purchase 44 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft for delivery between 2024 and 2026. It had ordered 56 more MAX aircraft for delivery between 2027 and 2028, and currently, 443 MAXs on order.
New Planes and New Workers
United’s large bet on 787 airplanes reflects anticipations for the resumed rising demand for long-haul international travel and its need to replace older airplanes. Boeing stated it is the planemaker’s biggest-ever Dreamliner order. Moreover, United expressed it is the largest-ever widebody order by a U.S. carrier.
United also said it would postpone its announced order of 45 Airbus A350 planes until 2030 “at the earliest.” United Chief Executive Scott Kirby (NYSE: KEX) said one critical factor in the decision between Boeing and Airbus for its major widebody order was its present 787 fleet.
The company hired 15,000 new workers in 2022, including 2,400 pilots, and is on track to employ 15,000 in 2023, including further 2,500 pilots.
United stated it hopes to take 787s deliveries between 2024 and 2032 and can select among 787-8, 9, or 10 models. United will buy 787s to substitute its 767 fleets by 2030 and some 777s, cutting carbon emissions per seat by almost 25% for the new planes.
