United Airlines to buy 25 Boeing 737-700 planes

US-based carrier United Airlines has placed an order for 25 next-generation Boeing 737-700 jets.

The firm had earlier placed an order for 40 737-700s.

With deliveries scheduled next year, the new 737-700 planes will enable United Airlines to continue using larger, more efficient aircraft as it reduces the size of its 50-seat regional fleet.

The airline intends to operate less than 100 planes in its 50-seat fleet by the end of 2019.

Claimed to provide better customer experience, the new Boeing 737-700s feature cabin upgrades, which include larger overhead bins, and its Boeing Sky Interior gives a bigger sense of space with sculpted sidewall panels and LED cabin lighting.

The carrier also plans to withdraw its 747 fleet from service by the end of 2018 and expects to convert 787 orders initially expected for delivery in 2020 and beyond into four 777-300ERs and five 787-9 aircraft beginning next year.

With the conversion plan, United expects to accelerate the retirement of 747 aircraft while also meeting its fleet requirement.

United Airlines finance senior vice-president and acting chief financial officer Gerry Laderman said: "The new 737-700 aircraft are ideal for our fleet as we continue to reduce our reliance on 50-seat aircraft.

"Retiring the 747 fleet and replacing those aircraft with more customer-pleasing, current generation aircraft creates a more reliable and efficient fleet that provides a better overall experience for our customers traveling on long-haul flights."

The airline has also stated that it currently has firm orders for 35 Airbus A350-1000s, 153 aircraft from Boeing’s 737 family, which includes ten Boeing 777-300ERs, and 27 Boeing 787s.

The company has also placed firm orders for ten Embraer E175 jets, which will be operated by United Express partners.

---

Image: United Airlines intends to operate less than 100 planes in its 50-seat fleet by the end of 2019. Photo: courtesy of United Airlines.