United has ordered an additional 40 jets from Airbus.
Airbus listed the order in an order and delivery report in March but did not disclose who the buyer was. United confirmed to AirlineGeeks on Wednesday that it had exercised options for 40 additional A321neos, with deliveries expected after 2030.
The news was first reported by Aviation Week.
United has been building up its stock of Airbus aircraft over the last several years. In 2019 it ordered 50 A321XLRs and two years later agreed to buy 70 A321neos.
In October 2023 the airline ordered an additional 60 A321neos, boosting its total expected delivery of A321s to 180 aircraft at the time. It is also in the process of leasing 40 A321neos, with deliveries expected in 2026-27.
According to PlaneSpotters.net data, United currently has 37 A321s in service.
United officials have discussed using Airbus aircraft to fill some gaps created by the delayed delivery of Boeing’s 737 MAX 10.
According to Reuters, United officials said Tuesday that the airline might not take delivery of the MAX 10 until 2027 or 2028 because of delays in getting the aircraft certified for use.
