United Airlines today announced it will purchase an additional 25 new Boeing 737-700 aircraft. This is on top of the order of 40 737-700 aircraft announced on January 22 of this year. United Airlines will begin receiving the airplanes starting in late 2017. The additional new aircraft will allow the airline to continue moving towards a fleet of bigger aircraft for its regional fleet. United plans to have less than 100 of its 50 seat planes by the end of 2019. This order is another blow to Bombardier, as the Canadian aircraft maker was vying for this order with its new C Series jet. The C Series program has cost Bombardier billions of dollars so far, landing just a small handful of orders to date.
United Airlines fleet renewal plans
United Airlines is stepping up its fleet renewal plans. The airline recently announced plans to retire its 747 fleet from service by the end of 2018. The airline also stated that it will convert an existing order for 25 787 aircraft to an order of 4 777-300 Extended Range models and 5 787-9 planes to be delivered starting in 2017. These aircraft will be used to replace the 747’s slated for retirement. United Airlines fleet renewal plans also include firm orders for 35 Airbus A350’s, 153 Boeing 737’s, 10 Boeing 777’s, 27 Boeing 787’s, and 10 Embraer E175 aircraft for its United Express partners. In other news, United Airlines Chief Executive Officer Oscar Munoz will return to work next week following his successful heart transplant surgery five months ago. Munoz took over the top spot at United Airlines following a scandal involving the air carriers dealings with the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey. This incident resulted in the resignation of former CEO Jeff Smisek in September of 2015.
