Why United Airlines Picked The Boeing 787

Boeing and United Airlines announced the largest widebody order by a U.S. carrier in commercial aviation history. The deal included 100 orders for the 787 series, with 100 options.

The deal marked the end of a long-running saga over which direction the airline would take after months of debate. Questions surrounded whether it’d be all Boeing, mixed, or Airbus A350. Ultimately, it was in favor of the American aircraft manufacturer.

The Boeing 787 is globally used as a solution for airline networks. For United Airlines, it provides flexibility and reliability, among other vital qualities that make it an optimal choice for a host of missions across its expansive and global route network.

Each variant lets the airline deploy units domestically while using others on its longest flights.

For United Airlines, a commitment to the 787 addresses their need to replace existing aircraft through to the next decade, with their Boeing 767s and Boeing 777s, some of the oldest widebody aircraft still flying, being phased out in favour of these new planes.

The economics of the 787 improve fuel burn whilst also bringing further benefits. In addition, the 787 is a product the airline knows, loves and trusts, from its operating economics to the passenger experience.

Inside, it features four onboard products and provides an elevated but consistent experience that customers genuinely love.

It isn’t a secret that significant aircraft deals also come with sizeable discounts. While never publicly disclosed, in some instances, almost half the list price can be wiped off, depending on several factors.

The right deal is a factor when carriers decide which way to head. Delivery slots can also play a part as airlines shape their retirement plans.

Relationships can also tend to impact carriers’ decisions. For United, its relationship with Boeing is strong and puts the American manufacturer in the best position to win more contracts from the major U.S. airline.

Discussions centered on Airbus’ potential role in the deal, and ultimately United chose Boeing. However, United was always considering proposals from Airbus.

United currently has an order for the A350. However, it may be one of the most notable undelivered orders for the aircraft industry.

While announcing its historic Boeing deal, United Airlines further pushed the delivery back, with the first 45 A350s now expected to arrive in 2030, 3 years later than the previous 2027 revision.

This order dates back to 2012. Unfortunately, many say it’s also an order that’ll never be delivered to the carrier, despite claims from the executive that they’ll reevaluate it later.

Fleet commonality may be another key reason the U.S.-based airline invested further in the 787. It’s clear that, through United’s already extensive ownership and operation of the 787 series, it does what is required. In addition, the flexibility in this order to pick the variants they deem best is also another fantastic result for the airline.