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United to order 50 Airbus A321XLR (for 2024) (TATL w/Polaris seats)

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Old Dec 3, 2019, 5:26 pm
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United Airlines Sets a Course for the Future With Order of 50 Airbus A321XLR Aircraft
New aircraft will improve operational efficiency, elevate the inflight travel experience and reduce environmental impact
Airline expects to operate new aircraft on transatlantic routes out of its East Coast hubs in 2024
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CHICAGO, Dec. 3, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- United Airlines today announced an order to purchase 50 new Airbus A321XLR aircraft, enabling the carrier to begin replacing and retiring its existing fleet of Boeing 757-200 aircraft and further meet the airline's operational needs by pairing the optimal aircraft with select transatlantic routes. The state-of-the-art aircraft, which United expects to introduce into international service in 2024, will also allow United to explore serving additional destinations in Europe from its East Coast hubs in Newark/New York and Washington.



"The new Airbus A321XLR aircraft is an ideal one-for-one replacement for the older, less-efficient aircraft currently operating between some of the most vital cities in our intercontinental network," said Andrew Nocella, United's executive vice president and chief commercial officer. "In addition to strengthening our ability to fly more efficiently, the A321XLR's range capabilities open potential new destinations to further develop our route network and provide customers with more options to travel the globe."

The next-generation A321XLR offers customers an elevated inflight experience and features modern amenities including LED lighting, larger overhead bin space and Wi-Fi connectivity. Additionally, the new aircraft lowers overall fuel burn per seat by about 30% when compared to previous generation aircraft, enabling United to further minimize its environmental impact as the carrier moves towards its ambitious goal of reducing its carbon footprint by 50% relative to 2005 levels by 2050.

United plans to begin taking delivery of the Airbus A321XLR in 2024. Additionally, the airline will defer the delivery of its order of Airbus A350s until 2027 to better align with the carrier's operational needs.



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United to order 50 Airbus A321XLR (for 2024) (TATL w/Polaris seats)

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Old Jun 23, 2023 | 12:19 pm
  #211  
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Not sure if this was mentioned already... United Airlines Selects Pratt & Whitney GTF™ Engines to Power 120 Airbus A321neo and A321XLR Aircraft
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Old Jun 23, 2023 | 12:26 pm
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Originally Posted by coolbeans202
Bets on when the first 321 enters service?
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Old Jun 23, 2023 | 12:44 pm
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Originally Posted by artvandalay
Bets on when the first 321 enters service?
When the engines are ready?

David
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Old Jun 23, 2023 | 12:57 pm
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Originally Posted by artvandalay
Bets on when the first 321 enters service?
When was the last time United had taken delivery of an Airbus?
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Old Jun 23, 2023 | 1:22 pm
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Originally Posted by DELee
When the engines are ready?

David
This is an existing engine so hopefully not the issue UA faces with the A350 contract.
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Old Jun 23, 2023 | 1:42 pm
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Originally Posted by coolbeans202
Those engines? The ones pw has struggled to keep in service worldwide due to reliability issues and parts availability? Ugh
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Old Jun 23, 2023 | 1:45 pm
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Originally Posted by artvandalay
Bets on when the first 321 enters service?
My guess is probably not until United has at least several on the property so, at the earliest, late this year. This is much more of a 2024 entrance than 2023.
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Old Jun 23, 2023 | 2:37 pm
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Originally Posted by artvandalay
Bets on when the first 321 enters service?
First delivery is scheduled 3Q2023 per UA 2 months ago. But 4Q2023 would not surprise me (with the other 3 scheduled for 4Q2023).

Should come with NEXT interiors.

Actual revenue service after crew / ground staff training - at least a couple of months. Early 2024?
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Old Jun 23, 2023 | 3:30 pm
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Originally Posted by WineCountryUA
First delivery is scheduled 3Q2023 per UA 2 months ago. But 4Q2023 would not surprise me (with the other 3 scheduled for 4Q2023).

Should come with NEXT interiors.

Actual revenue service after crew / ground staff training - at least a couple of months. Early 2024?
My thinking as well. This is not a 737-8/9 MAX. This is going to be a whole new type getting used to. I'd guess after the holidays, with flying certain scheduled routes. So far, no indication as to where these planes will initially be based. I would think DEN or SFO would be best fits, and that is just a hunch, given why they ordered the aircraft in addition to the 737-10 MAX.
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Old Jun 23, 2023 | 4:53 pm
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The existing A319/A320 pilot bases will fly the 321neo/XLR, correct? My understanding is that it's the same type rating.
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Old Jun 23, 2023 | 4:56 pm
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Originally Posted by rch4u
The existing A319/A320 pilot bases will fly the 321neo/XLR, correct? My understanding is that it's the same type rating.
Yes this is correct.
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Old Jun 23, 2023 | 8:14 pm
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Originally Posted by Longboater
My thinking as well. This is not a 737-8/9 MAX. This is going to be a whole new type getting used to. I'd guess after the holidays, with flying certain scheduled routes. So far, no indication as to where these planes will initially be based. I would think DEN or SFO would be best fits, and that is just a hunch, given why they ordered the aircraft in addition to the 737-10 MAX.
My guess is the initial A321 aircraft will be based at EWR. Arent they largely intended to replace 752s on TATL routes?
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Old Jun 23, 2023 | 8:18 pm
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Originally Posted by JimInOhio
My guess is the initial A321 aircraft will be based at EWR. Arent they largely intended to replace 752s on TATL routes?
You are thinking of the XLRs, which these are not. Those are coming in 2025.
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Old Jun 24, 2023 | 4:52 am
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Originally Posted by Longboater
You are thinking of the XLRs, which these are not. Those are coming in 2025.
Ah, that went right by me. This thread has been about the A321XLR for the past year and a half until those last couple of posts.

Im not sure the A321neo has to be based at any specific hub other than simply at A319/320 crew and maintenance bases.
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