Boeing beats out Bombardier, Embraer for coveted United orders

United Continental is finalising a second deal with Boeing for new single-aisle jets that would enable the manufacturer to block smaller rivals Bombardier and Embraer from gaining a coveted spot in the airline’s fleet, according to people familiar with the negotiations. United is expected to order 25 737s in the newest deal, the people said. Boeing in January won the first of 2 expected United single-aisle deals, agreeing to sell the airline 40 737-700s, the smallest single-aisle jet Boeing builds. The 118-seat jets are already a staple in United’s fleet. A new United-Boeing deal would be a significant blow for Bombardier which has sought to build sales momentum for its new CSeries jets, which represent the company’s first effort to compete head-on with Boeing and Airbus in the market for jets seating well over 100 passengers. <br/>