summary
- United Airlines has placed a large order for 70 A321neos and 50 A321XLRs to replace its aging 757s, with deliveries to begin later this year.
- The first A321neo service will be based at Chicago O’Hare International Airport and serve sunny leisure destinations in the South, catering to both tourists and retirees.
- By replacing its current aircraft with A320neos, United Airlines will significantly increase capacity and provide passengers with a more comfortable and efficient flying experience.
Back in 2021, United Airlines made headlines by placing a large order for the A321neo and A321XLR. The airline, a traditional operator of the Boeing 757, needs a new long-range, high-capacity narrowbody aircraft to replace its aging 757-200 and 757-300 fleet.
Balancing range, performance, capacity and efficiency, the latest version of the A320 family could be an ideal replacement for airlines. Earlier this summer, the airline’s directive caused ripples when United Airlines chose Pratt & Whitney engines to power its fleet.
The bulk order, consisting of 70 A321neo jets and 50 A321XLR aircraft, is expected to begin delivery later this year, and we recently learned how United Airlines intends to deploy the first aircraft. Received the first indications of what All United-operated A321neo flights are based at Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) and serve secondary cities and sunny leisure destinations in the southern part of the country.
the service itself
United Airlines has announced five destinations that the A321neo will serve between Chicago and O’Hare, three within Florida and two in the southwestern United States. United Airlines will operate its first A321neo flight between ORD and Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) on December 14. On the same day, the airline will also begin serving O’Hare to Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL).
A few weeks later, on January 9, the company will fly to the rest of the destinations announced today, including Orlando International Airport (MCO), Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) and Harry Reid International Airport in Las (LAS). to start. Vegas. Of note, all of these destinations are not only popular tourist spots, but also home to many retirees. Older passengers are more sensitive to the comfort offered by quieter modern aircraft, so placing a brand-new A320neo on this route could be a smart strategic move.
How does United currently fly these routes?
To better understand the impact of United’s new aircraft on its fleet, it is important to see what aircraft the airline currently uses to operate these routes. As of Sept. 10, United Airlines operates flights between Chicago and Phoenix using a combination of Boeing 737-900, Boeing 737MAX9 and Boeing 737-800 aircraft.
Between ORD and Chicago, the airline uses only older 737 Next Generation aircraft. Using A320neos on this route will allow the airline to significantly increase its capacity.
For Florida routes, airlines use some aircraft, but not all the same aircraft. Between Chicago and Orlando, United Airlines operates five daily flights with a fleet of 737s (primarily the 737 MAX 9) and 757-300s. Between ORD and Fort Lauderdale (RSW), the airline employs the 737 family. Again, United Airlines can increase capacity with modern, efficient narrowbodies.