In their recently released financial results, United Airlines has made some alterations to aircraft orders pertinent to delays of the Boeing 737 MAX 10.
The airline said that this was needed “to smooth out and moderate the company’s aircraft delivery schedule in the coming years”.
Without further ado, let’s get into it…
The Boeing Side of the Equation…
United Airlines said the following on the alteration of Boeing 737 MAX orders as well as delivery timetables as a whole:
- Converted a portion of Boeing MAX 10 aircraft orders to Boeing MAX 9 from 2025 through 2027.
- Maintained the right to convert more Boeing MAX 10 into MAX 8 or MAX 9 as needed.
- Due to manufacturing and certification delays from prior years, by the end of 2023, the airline’s contractual aircraft commitments for 2024 had increased to 183 narrowbody aircraft.
- At the beginning of 2024, these delays were anticipated to continue and the company expected 101 narrowbody deliveries.
- Following the 737 MAX 9 grounding and the FAA’s announced significant production capacity constraints on Boeing, the company now anticipates 61 narrowbody aircraft and 5 widebody aircraft to be delivered in 2024.
This now means that the 737 MAX 10 deliveries will not start until after 2025, with the 8 and the 9 taking priority.
United Airlines Signs LOI To Lease Airbus Aircraft…
Within the financial reporting, United Airlines confirmed some news that had been on the rumor mill.
Between 2026 and 2027, the airline will receive 35 Airbus A321neos on lease via an LOI signed.
It is unclear who the lessor is, and will no doubt get revealed in due time.
Furthermore, this will help fill the gap caused by capacity constraints caused on the Boeing side.
This does reaffirm the relationship that United Airlines has with both Boeing & Airbus.
It doesn’t indicate a shape in thinking, but more an adjustment to a long-term strategy.
Overall…
In conclusion, these order alterations through MAX 10 delays by United Airlines is telling.
Whilst it is an alteration of a long-term strategy, it reflects the pressures faced due to the Boeing 737 MAX crisis.
Looking ahead, all eyes will be on whether the airline will lease more aircraft throughout the decade.
But for now, all eyes will be on what happens next from here.
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