United Airlines has completed its latest round of airliner shopping, with a deal for 23 more Boeing widebodies, worth an estimated $3 billion.
The deal, which follows an agreement concluded last month with Airbus for 30 more A320-family aircraft, is the third stage in a four part fleet growth strategy, according to United.
The aircraft in the Boeing order are one 747-400, six 767-300s and sixteen 777-200ERs (extended range), with deliveries to begin in the first quarter of 1999 and continue into 2002. All the new aircraft will be powered by the Pratt & Whitney PW4000.
United will receive four 767s and four 777s next year; the 747-400 and six 777s in 2000; four 777s and two 767s in 2001; and the final two 777-200s in 2002. The airline has specified the shorter range (non-ER) version of the 767-300, as the new aircraft will be used on domestic services rather than alongside its existing -300ERs on longer haul routes.
United's fleet will grow to 639 aircraft by the end of 2001, from the 590 operated now.
Source: Flight International
