United Airlines has broken aviation records by inking a blockbuster deal for at least 100 new Boeing twin-aisle jets. The US carrier has placed a firm order for 100 new 787 Dreamliners, along with options for a further 100 examples.
The combined deal is the biggest widebody contract by an American operator in the history of commercial aviation. According to the OEM, United will be able to choose from the full range of 787 models, from the smallest -8 through to the largest -10, offering a degree of wiggle-room within the deal. As a result of the Dreamliner agreement, United expects to have the highest number of twin-aisle jets of any North American carrier.
United says approximately 100 aircraft within the new widebody order are due to replace older 767 and 777s, with all of the former removed from its fleet by 2030. The carrier suggests this will reduce carbon emissions per seat by 25% thanks to the cleaner and more efficient technology deployed on the Dreamliner.
