Dec 3, 2019, 5:26 pm
Last edit by: WineCountryUA
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
Photos(1)
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.
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
Photos(1)
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.
United to order 50 Airbus A321XLR (for 2024) (TATL w/Polaris seats)
Dec 7, 2019 | 11:51 am
#121
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There has even been talk of adding long-haul there, but not on United and not to ORD. I would certainly appreciate a United flight from BSL, but won't be counting on it.
Dec 7, 2019 | 11:55 am
#123
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I wonder if they might do a premium-heavy config so that doing something like EWR-NCE may be more economical (color me skeptical that UA can fill 46J seats every day in the summer...but I could be wrong).
Dec 7, 2019 | 12:09 pm
#124
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The Monaco crowd certainly has enough money, but I'm not sure they'd choose to fly to EWR or on UA in Business Class.
Dec 7, 2019 | 12:22 pm
#125
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Dec 7, 2019 | 8:13 pm
#127
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Dec 8, 2019 | 2:33 am
#128
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Dec 8, 2019 | 8:00 am
#129
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yes...will it be Polaris? or some specialized variety for this specific mission? I guess they squeezed BF seats in the 757, so the 73M 10 should be able to accommodate similar considering it's the same width as the 757?!
Dec 8, 2019 | 8:10 am
#130
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I honestly hope they stick with the B/E Diamond, as any kind of all aisle access design wastes a truly absurd amount of space in such a small J cabin. Doubt they will though.
Dec 8, 2019 | 9:28 am
#131
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AA's all-aisle access could be an idea (might be an A32X only design?), but there's also the alternating 2-2/1-1 designs seen on a number of airlines.
Dec 8, 2019 | 9:28 am
#132
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Current international 752 (and soon to be A321XLR) routes have very little competition, so UA won't be compelled to install a more competitive product in business. Only routes I can think of that competition have better J seats are EWR-ARN (SK A330), ORD-DUB (EI A330), IAD-MAD (IB A330), all of them are seasonal routes for UA. TP also operates EWR-OPO/IAD-LIS on A321neo but debatable if those J seats are better than B/E diamond.
It would be interesting to see what seat UA picks for the 28J 737MAX10, and if that new seat will also be installed on the A321XLR.
It would be interesting to see what seat UA picks for the 28J 737MAX10, and if that new seat will also be installed on the A321XLR.
Dec 8, 2019 | 9:39 am
#133
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I wonder if they can use a design similar to the columns on the 767 -- just, 1x1 instead of 1x1x1. There's enough overlap that I don't think there's going to be a ton of wasted space.
Almost certainly.
Dec 8, 2019 | 9:45 am
#134
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IIRC, An A320 is about 6-7 inches wider than a 737. That would allow for a slightly different (and wider) seat to be installed. I would think they could do something similar to what AA has in their 321T configuration.
Dec 8, 2019 | 9:47 am
#135
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I wonder if they can use a design similar to the columns on the 767 -- just, 1x1 instead of 1x1x1. There's enough overlap that I don't think there's going to be a ton of wasted space.
I think they'll do it for marketing purposes, not due to competition. "Every Polaris flight features direct aisle access at every seat!"
I think they'll do it for marketing purposes, not due to competition. "Every Polaris flight features direct aisle access at every seat!"