United Airlines Buys 50 Long Range Airbuses Worth USD 7 Billion To Replace Old Boeing 757

United Airlines has decided to purchase 50 Airbus SE A321XLR jets to replace 53 Boeing 757-200 planes, which are due to be retired in another five years. New Airbus jets will fly between the United States East Coast and Europe. United Airlines is the latest airline, which has signed the deal with European plane maker’s new passenger jets. The deal has been signed in USD 7.1 billion. Long-range Airbus SE A321XLR jets will be commuting to cities like Porto, Portugal, and other potential new destinations. Boeing has stopped the manufacturing of large single-aisle models. It has been planning to introduce new twin-aisle planes, but it will not be launched until 2020. The twin-aisle plane is also known as NMA. Meanwhile, Boeing Co is putting all its efforts to shut down 737 Max jets globally. Global grounding of 737 Max jets is the result of two fatal crashes in the past.

Chief Operating Officer of United Airlines has said that they have worked diligently on Boeing’s new aircraft and they are ready to take orders if Boeing is determined to develop the NMA. New Airbus SE A321XLR is an opt choice for a one-for-one replacement for older and less efficient planes that have been running between some important destinations on the international network. Airbus SE A321XLR jets are quite fuel-efficient as compared to old aircraft. It has 30 percent less fuel burn per seat. Other Airlines like JetBlue and American Airlines have already signed the deal with Airbus for some of the long-range single-aisle planes. Smaller airplanes on a long route seek to control their operating expenses.

United Airlines has bought wide-body A350 jets as well, but the airline has deferred the delivery of these aircraft until 2027. Following the imposed tariffs on European made aircrafts, Airbus A321XLR is the second order for a US carrier. Chicago based airline also has another order for 100 Boeing 737 Max 10 planes in the pipeline. It is of the same size as Airbus A321XLR, but it does not deliver long-range. As per the reports, United Airlines is planning to configure 737 Max 10 planes into the premium design, so it can be used as a replacement of Boeing 757. It will operate from Newark to Los Angeles and San Francisco.