United Airlines (UA, Chicago O'Hare) is leaning towards the B787 to replace its B767 fleet and could place an order by the end of the month, the Wall Street Journal reported.
Customarily, neither the airline nor Boeing (BOE, Washington National) commented on the report. However, Reuters independently confirmed that talks were advanced and a deal likely.
While sources did not identify the number of aircraft or variants involved, United is likely to sign for at least fifty B787s, although the batch will likely include purchase rights or options. The Dreamliners will replace United's remaining fifty-three B767s which, the ch-aviation fleets module shows, entails thirty-seven B767-300ERs (26.8 years old on average) and sixteen B767-400ERs (21.3 years).
United's current B787 fleet comprises twelve B787-8s, thirty-eight B787-9s, and fifteen B787-10s. It has a further six -10s on order.
The B767 replacement talks are separate from another involving the renewal of United's large widebody fleet, which currently comprises nineteen B777-200s, fifty-five B777-200ERs, and twenty-two B777-300(ER)s. Earlier reports suggested the A350 Family was the frontrunner and that any overall United widebody order would likely exceed 100 units.
United Airlines ordered forty-five A350-900s in 2017 but has repeatedly deferred their deliveries. It has no commitments for any A330neo or B777X aircraft.
