{"id":347032,"date":"2021-07-01T06:01:16","date_gmt":"2021-06-30T20:01:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/?p=347032"},"modified":"2021-07-01T06:01:16","modified_gmt":"2021-06-30T20:01:16","slug":"united-adds-270-boeing-and-airbus-aircraft-to-its-fleet","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/index.php\/united-adds-270-boeing-and-airbus-aircraft-to-its-fleet\/","title":{"rendered":"United adds 270 Boeing and Airbus aircraft to its fleet"},"content":{"rendered":"

United Airlines announced yesterday the purchase of 270 new Boeing and Airbus aircraft\u2014the largest combined order in the airline\u2019s history and the biggest by an individual carrier in the last decade\u2014as part of its \u201cUnited Next\u201d initiative.<\/p>\n

\u201cUnited Next\u201d will have a transformational effect on the customer experience and is expected to increase the total number of available seats per domestic departure by almost 30%, significantly lower carbon emissions per seat and create tens of thousands of quality, unionized jobs by 2026, all efforts that will have a positive effect on the U.S. economy.<\/p>\n

When combined with the current order book, United expects to introduce more than 500 new, narrow-body aircraft: 40 in 2022, 138 in 2023 and as many as 350 in 2024 and beyond. That means in 2023 alone, United\u2019s fleet will, on average, add about one new narrow-body aircraft every three days.<\/p>\n

United\u2019s new aircraft order\u201450 737 MAX 8s, 150 737 MAX 10s and 70 A321neos\u2014will come with a new signature interior that includes seat-back entertainment in every seat, larger overhead bins for every passenger\u2019s carry-on bag and the industry\u2019s fastest available in-flight WiFi, as well as a bright look-and-feel with LED lighting. The airline expects to fly the first 737 MAX 8 with the signature interior this summer and to begin flying the 737 MAX 10 and the Airbus A321neo in early 2023.<\/p>\n

United intends to upgrade 100% of its mainline, narrow-body fleet to these standards by 2025, a retrofit project that, when combined with the number of new aircraft joining the fleet, means United will deliver its state-of-the-art inflight experience to tens of millions of customers at an unprecedented pace.<\/p>\n

This order will also significantly boost United\u2019s total number of mainline daily departures and available seats across the airline\u2019s North American network, as well as the number of premium seats, both United First and Economy Plus. Specifically, United expects it will have on average 53 premium seats per North American departure by 2026, an increase of about 75% over 2019, and more than any competitor in North America.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur United Next vision will revolutionize the experience of flying United as we accelerate our business to meet a resurgence in air travel,\u201d said United CEO Scott Kirby. \u201cBy adding and upgrading this many aircraft so quickly with our new signature interiors, we\u2019ll combine friendly, helpful service with the best experience in the sky, all across our premier global network. At the same time, this move underscores the critical role United plays in fueling the broader U.S. economy\u2014we expect the addition of these new aircraft will have a significant economic impact on the communities we serve in terms of job creation, traveler spending and commerce.\u201d<\/p>\n

United expects to create approximately 25,000 well-paying, unionized jobs at the airline as a result of adding these new aircraft and, based on a study from the Federal Aviation Administration, the airline expects to drive more than $30 billion in traveler spending when flying United and contribute an estimated $50 billion annually toward the U.S. economy by 2026.<\/p>\n

Plus, adding these new 737 MAX and Airbus A321neo aircraft means United will replace older, smaller mainline jets and at least 200 single-class regional jets with larger aircraft, which the airline expects will lead to significant sustainability benefits compared to older planes: an expected 11% overall improvement in fuel efficiency and an expected 17-20% lower carbon emission per seat compared to older planes.<\/p>\n

The best customer experience in the industry <\/strong><\/p>\n

United\u2019s new aircraft reflect a vastly improved customer experience standard\u2014United\u2019s signature interior\u2014that places a premium on the overall comfort of flying\u2014more overall available seats in the market, more premium seats on each aircraft, as well as better entertainment, overhead storage and technology features. These standards will be applied to the airline\u2019s retrofit plan\u2014a nose-to-tail transformation of its mainline, narrow-body fleet\u2014that is expected to be 66% complete by 2023 and 99% complete by the summer of 2025.<\/p>\n

United\u2019s new narrow-body jets will help the airline increase its total seats per departure for North American flights by 30 seats, or almost 30%, by 2026. At the same time, the airline will quickly grow the number of United First and Economy Plus seats for customers seeking an elevated experience.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
United Airlines announced yesterday the purchase of 270 new Boeing and Airbus aircraft. (UNITED)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

United\u2019s 737 MAX 8 has 16 United First seats and 54 Economy Plus seats\u2014more than double the number of extra leg room seats offered by competing airlines on similar-sized aircraft. The 737 MAX 10\u2014the largest member of the MAX family\u2014makes up the majority of United\u2019s new order and will include 20 United First seats and 64 Economy Plus seats and the new A321neo aircraft are expected to have a United First and Economy Plus seat count similar to that of the 737 MAX 10.<\/p>\n

By flying bigger jets with a signature interior that includes more premium seating, United will give customers more choice when selecting their onboard experience, provide MileagePlus members more opportunity for upgrades, and position United to better meet the demand among United\u2019s business customers while creating even more connectivity to its global long-haul network, helping to fuel growth to all corners of the world.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll deliver a better, more consistent experience, with more features for more customers, faster than ever. While some airlines are reducing the number of economy seats with extra leg room, United will offer the most premium seats in North America, taking a different, more customer-friendly approach,\u201d said Andrew Nocella, United\u2019s EVP and chief commercial officer. \u201cThis is United playing to our strengths\u2014the location of our U.S. hubs means we\u2019re uniquely positioned to focus on premium products, business travel and global flying like no other U.S. airline. Our new, signature interior creates a more consistent product across our mainline fleet\u2014with a focus on the amenities that customers value most like seat back screens, fast WiFi and extra storage\u2014to further set ourselves apart.\u201d<\/p>\n

United\u2019s inflight entertainment\u201413-inch high-definition screens in every first-class seat and 10-inch HD screens in every United Economy seat on the 737 MAX\u2014includes free access to more than 2,800 selections including movies, TV shows and international selections, as well as audio playlists, podcasts, and games. Customers also can watch documentaries and live concerts through United\u2019s exclusive collaboration with the Coda Collection. Plus, every seat on these aircraft has access to electrical power and USB charge ports and provides a seatback experience with accessibility features for people with hearing or visual disabilities.<\/p>\n

Each new 737 MAX and A321neo will have the industry\u2019s fastest available in-flight WiFi that lets customers stream video from online services. The aircraft also will have Bluetooth technology throughout for easy connections between wireless headphones and the seatback entertainment screens.<\/p>\n

United\u2019s new, significantly larger overhead bins will provide space for one carry-on bag for every person onboard, addressing several of the biggest pain points among customers and employees. United expects that the availability of these larger bins will help alleviate gate crowding and anxiety, reduce the number of gate-checked bags and decrease the time it takes to board.<\/p>\n

More flights, new destinations <\/strong><\/p>\n

United\u2019s plan to add hundreds of signature interior narrow-body aircraft to its fleet will give customers access to more modern seats and planes while reducing flights that use smaller, single-class regional jets. These new aircraft also will give customers even more options to fly between U.S. cities, including some new destinations, when they travel through the airline\u2019s major U.S. hubs. Finally, the larger mainline fleet will help accelerate United\u2019s plans to expand service in partnership with local airport authorities across the United States.<\/p>\n

Impact in Newark\/NYC <\/strong><\/p>\n

United expects to resume its full schedule of flights out of Newark by November 2021 when the FAA slot waiver period ends. The airline is already the leading carrier from Newark\u2014United\u2019s largest global gateway\u2014with 430 daily flights that include international destinations like Johannesburg, Tel Aviv, Mumbai and Hong Kong.<\/p>\n

United expects the number of Newark departures on mainline aircraft to increase from 55% in 2019 to 70% by 2026. And by late 2021, United expects 100% of Newark departures to be on dual-class aircraft, including the 737 MAX and the airline\u2019s new, dual-class 50-seat CRJ-550 jet. Today\u2019s aircraft order means the airline can create quality, union jobs, as well as grow domestic and international capacity from Newark for years to come by replacing smaller mainline jets with larger aircraft, while at the same time driving international growth, by connecting more customers from U.S. cities to Newark\/NYC for their international flights.<\/p>\n

United is in the midst of a significant facility expansion and upgrade project at Newark. The work includes renovating an existing United Club SM location in Terminal C, building a completely new lounge in Terminal C that is capable of accommodating 500 travelers and will have panoramic views of Manhattan, as well as building a brand new United Club in Terminal A where United will operate from 12 new gates.<\/p>\n

Jobs <\/strong><\/p>\n

Today, the airline supports about 68,000 union jobs\u201489% of the airline\u2019s total domestic workforce.<\/p>\n

All United employees\u2014even part-time workers\u2014earn more than the federal minimum wage, are eligible to receive company-sponsored medical coverage, participate in company-funded retirement programs like 401(k)s and receive paid sick leave, paid vacation and flight privileges when space is available to destinations around the world. Plus, these jobs offer opportunities for career growth\u2014about 69% of the airline\u2019s senior leaders were internally promoted and more than 1,500 frontline employees have been promoted into management roles in the past seven years.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe addition of these 270 new aircraft and reduction of single-class regional jets is not only good news for customers, it is excellent news for the 12,000 current United pilots, and the 10,000 more we expect to hire before the decade is out,\u201d said United ALPA Chair Capt. Todd Insler. \u201cThis is exactly what we planned for when we reached our industry-leading pandemic recovery agreement last year and kept United pilots on the property, trained and ready to take advantage of the rapid recovery in passenger demand. With the strength of our network, fleet, and pilot compensation, we are sure United will remain the destination of choice for the most highly qualified airline pilots.\u201d<\/p>\n

United\u2019s new aircraft order is expected to create about 25,000 well-paying, unionized jobs by 2026, including the following at each of the airline\u2019s seven, major U.S. hubs:<\/p>\n

Newark \/ EWR: up to 5,000 jobs
\nSan Francisco \/ SFO: up to 4,000 jobs
\nWashington, D.C. \/ IAD: up to 3,000 jobs
\nChicago \/ ORD: up to 3,000 jobs
\nHouston \/ IAH: up to 3,000 jobs
\nDenver \/ DEN: up to 3,000 jobs
\nLos Angeles \/ LAX: up to 1,400 jobs
\nUnited has contracts in place with the following unions:
\nContact Center, Ramp and Customer Service Agents (represented by IAM)
\nDispatchers (represented by PAFCA)
\nFlight Attendants (represented by AFA)
\nPilots (represented by ALPA)
\nTechnicians (represented by IBT)<\/p>\n

Overall economic impact <\/strong><\/p>\n

In addition to creating jobs, the addition of these new aircraft to United\u2019s fleet is expected to drive more than $30 billion in traveler spending when flying United and contribute an estimated $50 billion annually towards the U.S. economy by 2026, based on a study from the Federal Aviation Administration and United\u2019s internal estimates:<\/p>\n

Jobs & Wages: In 2020, United paid more than $10 billion in wages and this new aircraft order has the potential to create an additional 25,000 United jobs by 2026, with billions of dollars more in potential additional wages expected. United estimates that every new direct airline job results in about two additional indirect jobs like aircraft manufacturers, airport management and airport retail. Furthermore, United\u2019s estimates indicate that each new direct and indirect job induces an additional five jobs, potentially creating a total wage impact of up to $12 billion annually.<\/p>\n

Visitor Spending: Based on the FAA study, United estimates domestic air travelers spend about $500 per trip in addition to airfare (food, lodging, recreation, gifts, entertainment, etc.). The addition of 270 new aircraft means the potential to carry tens of millions more passengers per year through 2026, which, using this metric for visitor spending, could contribute more than $30 billion in annual consumer spending when traveling on United.<\/p>\n

Taxes & Fees: Each year, United generates about $4 billion of direct (ticket excise, fuel, and property) and payroll taxes. United\u2019s own internal analysis estimates that these numbers will increase as a result of purchasing these 270 new aircraft.<\/p>\n

Sustainability <\/strong><\/p>\n

By 2026, United expects its use of aircraft in this new order alone will lower the airline\u2019s total carbon emissions per seat up to 15%. Specifically, the 737 MAX and A321neo aircraft offer better overall range and environmental performance with their new, more fuel-efficient engines and improved aerodynamics. Improvements come from new engines, lighter-weight carbon composite airframes and aerodynamic innovations like natural laminar flow that reduces drag. United has set an ambitious goal to be 100% green by reducing its greenhouse gas emissions 100% by 2050, without relying on traditional carbon offsets. (PR)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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