United Airlines May Announce The Largest Aircraft Order Ever, Sources Say

Ted Reed
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A United Airlines Boeing 737 Max is pictured at the Boeing Factory in Renton, Washington in November ... [+] AFP VIA GETTY IMAGES
United Airlines plans to announce a large order for aircraft next week, perhaps the largest ever.

The carrier has scheduled an investor presentation for Tuesday morning, saying it will provide an update on its strategy.

The order is likely to be the largest aircraft ever, two industry sources say, although they were unable to clarify whether that would be by value or number of aircraft.

Reports that the carrier will order new aircraft have been widespread.

Bloomberg, quoting sources, reported June 10 that United could order 100 Boeing 737 Max 8 jets. Subsequently, CNBC reported, quoting sources, that the carrier was in talks to buy around 200 single-aisle jets in a multibillion-dollar deal involving both the Airbus A321 and the Boeing 737 Max.

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The largest aircraft orders in history include American’s 2011 purchase of 460 narrowbody jets: 200 Boeing 737s and 260 Airbus A321s.

The deal was valued at $38 billion list price; typically, list prices are cut by about half in big aircraft deals. In this deal, Boeing agreed to revamp the 737 with new engines, leading to the creation of Max and the subsequent safety fiasco.

Of the 460 aircraft it ordered, American has taken delivery of 336, the airline said Wednesday. Remaining to be delivered are 59 Boeing 737 Max, 35 Airbus A321neos and 30 Airbus A321 XLRs.

No U.S. carriers have placed larger orders since 2011.