United unveils massive aircraft order, announces new narrow-body cabin interiors and retrofit program
United Airlines unveiled a blockbuster order on Tuesday for 270 narrow-body aircraft, the largest single order in its history.
United said it has placed firm orders with Boeing for 50 737 Max 8 aircraft and 150 of the longer 737 Max 10 variant, and with Airbus for 70 of the European planemaker's A321neo.
The order was accompanied by news that the airline plans to update the cabins on its narrow-body jets so that in-flight entertainment screens will be on all mainline flights by 2025.
Combined with existing orders, United expects to take delivery of 500 new aircraft between now and 2026, with roughly one aircraft being delivered every three days in 2023.
The carrier described the order as part of its "United Next" program, directing the company through its post-pandemic development.
With the aircraft, United said it plans to retire numerous smaller aircraft, replacing them with larger narrow-bodies as a tactic to grow at hubs with capacity issues, such as Newark and San Francisco.
As a result of the upgauging, which will largely replace single-class 50-seat regional jets with larger aircraft in markets that can support the bigger planes, United will average 30% more seats per domestic departure, and — since the jets will have Economy Plus and First Class seats — 75% more premium seats per flight, on average — an average of 53 per flight.
About 200 older regional jets will be retired, United chief commercial officer Andrew Nocella said.
Related news: United unveils first Boeing 737 MAX 8 routes with new cabins, in-seat TVs
"We're still going to fly 50-seat jets to small communities throughout the country to make sure they're still connected to our global hub network," Nocella said. "But we're no longer going to use small jets to fly to large communities."
The airline said that because the new aircraft are more fuel efficient, the overall emissions per seat would decrease
United took pains to stress that it has no plans to denseify the regular economy cabin on its narrow-bodies to make those numbers work — they'll be achieved entirely through aircraft replacement and retirements.
"This is not an opportunity for United to densify our aircraft," Nocella said. "We're keeping the same comfort standards we have today on this new fleet."
"We know that's not always the case when an airline orders a new fleet," he added.
United said that 300 of the aircraft would go towards replacing older planes, while 200 would go towards growing the airline.
"Our United Next vision will revolutionize the experience of flying United as we accelerate our business to meet a resurgence in air travel," CEO Scott Kirby said in a press release.
New cabins with In-flight entertainment at every seat
Each new plane being delivered will come with a newly designed cabin, United said. The airline also plans to retrofit its entire existing narrow-body fleet, which should be mostly complete by 2025.
As a central tenet, each seat will have its own personal in-flight entertainment monitor, bringing United's mainline fleet in line with Delta, and separating it from holdouts American and Southwest.
"I've always been a fan of seatbacks," Kirby said. "I've walked through airplanes that have seatback entertainment, and I will count," he continued, "over 60% of the people are engaged with the screens."
"There is no doubt in my mind that this is something our customers value, something that will make our customers pick United more and more."
The new cabins will also feature new LED lighting and larger over-head bins, enabling a 1:1 passenger-to-carry-on ratio, Toby Enqvist, United's chief customer officer, said.
"It's really making the gate-checked bags a thing of the past and making the whole boarding experience so much more efficient, but also less stressful," Enqvist said.
The airline said that it expected to create 25,000 new jobs as a result of the order, including pilots, flight attendants, dispatchers, and maintenance technicians. United and other U.S. airlines shrank considerably during the COVID-19 pandemic, so the job growth is in effect largely a rebuilding.
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- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
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You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.