United Airbus?
 

Hello all, looking to create some conversation on the topic. With constant Boeing issues and delivery delays on NB & WB, doesn’t seem too unreasonable for Scott and crew to theoretically be looking to Airbus (especially WB) to swoop in keep United next going, replace aging jets, and grow. Any news on 350 orders? 350-1000? The late summer 330 rumor? Desire for 350-1K’s range? Side note, why don’t our 321’s have the raccoon eyes?

The short answer is that adding a new type is very expensive and not something UA wants to do. Besides, 35 321NEOs in 2026/2027, no other planes exist out there. Airbus isn’t making it cheap for us so we’ll order them if it makes sense. If not, we’ll stick with the leases

Curious to see when the NEO/XLR starts to take some of the more predominant 757 routes....transcon redeyes, hawaii, european secondary cities, etc etc

the NEO won’t take any 757 flying unless they put ACT to up the range…..there’s a reason the plane is only flying out of ORD right now. And the XLR isn’t even certified yet.

Everything I can see points to the XLR being on property next year, and my guess is the NEO will take more and more 757 flying that it already is (LAX/PHS from ORD)

I’m curious why we didn’t go with any A321LRs.

No chance. The complexity of all the movement on top of the wave of widebody upgrades that are planned is almost impossible to achieve as is. Airbus isn’t giving anything away either. If we don’t enter a recession there is going to be a training nightmare just to fly what is already ordered. If we do enter a recession the training nightmare the other direction could be just as complicated. IMO united is painted into a corner of executing or a painful lesson in overzealous growth.

if you work for United go look at the 756 bid pack…the NEO isn’t taking any 756 flying. The fleet is nearly ALL international which is why DEN and LAX crews are flying LIM and DUB. There’s is no domestic flying this summer other than the 753 which is moving people between the hubs.

the XLR that isn’t certified yet?

and per Airbus in the quarterly results last week the XLR is on track for entry into service 3Q2024.