United Airlines (UA, Chicago O'Hare) has selected the B737-700 from Boeing (BOE, Washington National) for part of its 100-seater jet fleet renewal plans. The carrier says it has reached an agreement with the US manufacturer to acquire forty of the type with deliveries to begin in mid-2017.

“Our customers have a preference for an improved travel experience, including first class seats, Economy Plus, and Wi-Fi. These aircraft are an efficient way to meet those needs while reducing 50-seat flying,” Gerry Laderman, UAL’s acting chief financial officer, said.

Airbus (AIB, Toulouse Blagnac), Bombardier Aerospace (BBA, Montréal Trudeau), and Embraer (EMB, São José dos Campos Professor Urbano Ernesto Stumpf) also participated in the tender proffering their A319-100, C-Series, and E-Jet products respectively. Laderman added that additional orders may be placed in the future with all suitable aircraft under consideration.

As previously reported, United is reducing the number of 50-seater jets in service with its United Express affiliates. As such, United says the B737-700s will replace more than half the number of 50-seat aircraft in its fleet by 2019.