CHICAGO _ United Airlines is purchasing 50 new Airbus A321XLR jets that can fly farther than the planes they'll replace, which could let the airline fly to new destinations.
The new jets are expected to begin flying in 2024 and will replace United's Boeing 757-200 aircraft. United did not specify the potential new destinations it could reach with the longer-range planes, but said they will handle routes between the U.S. and Europe.
A few of the new aircraft could fly out of Chicago, but they primarily will be based in United's hubs in Newark and Washington, D.C., said Andrew Nocella, United's executive vice president and chief commercial officer. United's Airbus A321XLRs also will have larger overhead bins and Wi-Fi and are more fuel-efficient than older aircraft, United said.
Chicago-based Boeing currently doesn't make a plane that directly competes with the Airbus aircraft that United chose, Nocella said. Boeing is evaluating a potential new aircraft of similar size, but the company said its priority is getting the 737 Max _ grounded after a second deadly crash in March _ safely cleared to begin flying again.
Any new potential plane wouldn't begin flying until the middle of the next decade, Boeing said in a statement.
