Major US carrier United Airlines, one of only two American operators to directly connect the US with South Africa, announced on Tuesday the biggest ever order placed by a US airline for wide-body airliners. The carrier has placed firm orders for 100 Boeing 787 Dreamliner new-generation airliners, and has taken options for another 100.

United already employs the 787-9 version of the type on its services from Newark/New York to both Johannesburg and Cape Town, as well as on its service between Washington DC and Cape Town. In total, the airline reportedly currently operates 66 of the Dreamliners.

The new order will allow the carrier to replace older Boeing 767 and Boeing 777 airliners in its current fleet. Replacing these less efficient aircraft will reduce both the airline’s fuel bill and its carbon emissions, thereby helping it achieve its ambition of cutting its greenhouse-gas emissions by 100% by 2050.

“United emerged from the [Covid-19] pandemic as the world’s leading global airline and the flag carrier of the United States,” affirmed United CEO Scott Kirby. “This order further solidifies our lead and creates new opportunities for our customers, employees and shareholders by accelerating our plan to connect more people to more places around the globe and deliver the best experience in the sky."   

The 787 order forms part of the carrier’s ‘United Next’ strategic plan. The new aircraft will be delivered between 2024 and 2032, and the airline has the choice of how many of each model – the 787-8, 787-9 and 787-10 – to acquire, over the course of the programme. "Our widebody fleet will be re-energized by these new 787 deliveries and further strengthen what we do best: connect people and unite the world with modern, customer-friendly and fuel-efficient aircraft," stated United Executive VP and chief commercial officer Andrew Nocella. 

Another part of United Next, also announced on Tuesday, is the conversion of what had previously been options on 44 Boeing 737 MAX single-aisle airliners into firm orders, for delivery between 2024 and 2026. Further, a firm order was placed for an additional 56 737 MAX, for delivery between 2027 and 2028.

By the end of 2032, United expects to have taken delivery of some 700 new single-aisle and widebody airliners.