United Airlines is choosing Airbus on its next round of transatlantic aircraft, with the announcement of a purchase order for 50 Airbus A321XLR aircraft.
These Airbus planes will replace existing Boeing 757-200 aircraft, which will be retired from United Airlines service. They will operate out of the airline’s East Coast hubs beginning in 2024, and potentially allow United Airlines to start servicing additional destinations throughout Europe. United believes this will improve efficiency and reduce its overall environmental impact.
“The new Airbus A321XLR aircraft is an ideal one-for-one replacement for the older, less-efficient aircraft currently operating between some of the most vital cities in our intercontinental network,” Andrew Nocella, United’s executive vice president and chief commercial officer, said. “In addition to strengthening our ability to fly more efficiently, the A321XLR’s range capabilities open potential new destinations to further develop our route network and provide customers with more options to travel the globe.”
The new aircraft will burn approximately 30 percent less fuel per seat and, according to United, reduce its carbon footprint by around 50 percent by 2050. The A321XLR also boasts several interior changes over its competition: LED lighting, larger overhead bin space, and full Wi-Fi connectivity.
Additionally, United will defer the delivery of its order of Airbus A350s until 2027 to better align with the airline’s operational needs.