United Airlines Has Big Announcements

United Airlines is gearing up for what isn’t just expected to be a busy 2026 but equally an unpredictable one.

The airline’s CEO, Scott Kriby, has hinted at surprises that will come across this calendar year that those within the business, alongside avid followers, should remain watchful of.

Flagged by The Points Guy, as noted in a letter sent to staff on 2 January 2026 to celebrate the new year, Kirby said that 2026 would be a busy one.

Kirby hinted at saving specific announcements for later in the year, including new projects that put innovation at the forefront and aim to position the airline as a first choice for customers for the next decade and beyond.

However, one of the biggest focuses was Kirby’s comments on the inclusion of new aircraft types, something that has piqued the interest of many onlookers at an airline already sizable that doesn’t have many aircraft programs it hasn’t already committed to.

In the same TPG report, a United Airlines spokesperson provided additional context for the CEO’s comments, suggesting that the new aircraft types should be viewed more from a customer experience perspective than as new aircraft types.

What this means is something that remains to be seen, but hasn’t stopped industry speculation about the possible addition of new aircraft, as Kirby’s comments have been interpreted.

For a fleet of this size, the airline already operates many aircraft types. As a result, finding new additions that would complement the fleet rather than add further complexity proves challenging, but one aircraft has been considered a possibility.

United Airlines’ A350 Decision

United Airlines’ long-standing order for the A350 has been the centre of attention for quite some time. First placed in 2009, it has experienced several delays recently, which means the order is still in place and not cancelled.

Speaking at the APEX Global Expo 2025, Scott Kirby discussed the A350 order. He noted that, as the airline’s focus shifted to long-term growth, it was necessary to assess all available options.

With persistent delays in acquiring new jets, the situation has become more complicated than the business would like. Looking no further than the delayed acquisition of the 737 MAX, driven by supply chain woes and certification issues, growth has been slowed.

Another focus has been the upcoming retirement of Boeing jets, ranging from the 757 to the larger 767 fleet, as the airline seeks a replacement, especially for the latter.

Kirby said that by the end of the decade, these 767s will retire, and with that in mind, it’ll need something to take their place. This would be the ideal timeframe for the induction of the Airbus A350.

However, for the A350 to join the fleet, a comprehensive study will need to be conducted once again, and a formal decision will follow. This follows initial frustration from the airline over the engines, which made the deal unreasonable, something it no longer feels the same about.

With a decision therefore truly required on the fate of the A350 within the airlines’ operations moving forward, or lack thereof, the U.S. carrier needs to decide whether its inclusion would negatively or positively impact the business.

As Airbus works out what its delivery schedule will look like over the next five years or beyond, if there’s any indication that an airline may be interested in moving ahead with such a commitment, decisions need to be made sooner rather than later to lock down the windows formally.