United settles with Boeing for 787 delays - Yahoo! Finance
Take a look at the last couple of paragraphs. Hints of the company's negotiating tactic at the table if we ever start talking again:
On Wednesday, United said it also has options for another 100 737 Max 9s and another 60 737-900ERs. United said last week that it had additional options, but didn't say how many.
The firm orders for 150 planes, plus options for 160 more, would give United a total of 310 new planes in a fleet that currently has 701. Chicago-based United has said that it will decide later whether to use the new planes to make the airline bigger, or to replace older jets that it will retire.
Translation: If the pilot contract doesn't cost us too much money we will use the new plane options to grow the airline where possible.
Miracle lure anyone?
I doubt seriously the company would use the planes to grow. They'll be used for replacement. We have a history of not wanting to compete when others move in. Where Delta runs mainline airplanes upwards of 5+ frequencies a day, we'll run 3 RJs instead as "competition" in those markets. Wouldn't hold my breath for growth.