United boosts Boeing 737 MAX commitment with 25-aircraft order
Despite the Boeing 737 MAX's troubled past — including order cancellations that followed the aircraft's global grounding — airlines around the world are now committed to seeing the MAX become a long-term success, returning planes to service and, in some cases, boosting existing orders.
This week, United Airlines became the latest U.S. carrier to add more 737 MAX aircraft to its order book, with an additional 25 planes slated to join the carrier's fleet in 2023. COO Andrew Nocella explained the move in a note to employees, that the carrier's public relations team shared with TPG:
As we plan for the future and the return of demand, we've been looking at ways to best position our fleet for the recovery and be in a position to best take advantage of people's desire to travel. Today, I'm pleased to share with you an important announcement that will be a key driver of our near-term growth as an airline: We've placed an order for 25 new Boeing 737 MAX aircraft for delivery in 2023. We've also moved up the delivery of 40 previously ordered Boeing 737 MAX aircraft to 2022 and 5 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft to 2023. This is in addition to the 24 MAX aircraft we were already set to receive in 2023.
While it may seem like a questionable time for an airline to be growing its fleet, the planes will clearly offer a long-term boost to United's bottom line — Nocella later references the MAX's 15% fuel savings, which he says would also help bring the carrier closer to its goal of becoming "100% green" by 2050.
Nocella also notes that United is advocating for another government bailout, which would further assist with cash flow as the carrier works towards recovery:
We continue to advocate in Washington for a Payroll Support Program 3.0 that would extend our ability to keep those folks on the payroll at United beyond March 31, when the current PSP funds expire. But we need to make aircraft orders more than a year in advance of taking delivery. And as the end of the pandemic nears and vaccines continue to roll out, today's fleet announcement helps position us to meet the demand we expect to see in 2022 and 2023 and puts us on a path toward more opportunities for our employees in the future.
Related: United becomes second US carrier to return the 737 MAX to service
Nocella also stated that passengers prefer the MAX to United's other narrow-body planes, noting:
These new aircraft represent the best the industry has to offer in terms of customer amenities, experience and comfort. In fact, flights on our MAX aircraft in 2018 and 2019 had the highest average customer satisfaction score of any large narrow-body aircraft.
While the fresh cabin, fancy overhead lighting and quieter ride certainly help lead to an enjoyable flight, personally, I'd prefer an older 737 with seat-back entertainment — customers are responsible for bringing their own device along if they want to watch movies or TV shows on the MAX, including in the first-class cabin. United's 737 MAX lavatories are almost comically undersized, too, though I'm hopeful the airline will work to address that issue before more planes join the fleet.
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees