United orders 50 new Airbus long-range jets to replace Boeing 757s

United announced Tuesday an order for 50 Airbus A321XLR jets to fly between the US East Coast and Europe, becoming the latest US airline to ink a deal for the European planemaker’s new passenger jet. The long-range A321XLR jets will replace United’s 53 Boeing 757-200 planes beginning in 2024, the Chicago-based planemaker said, flying to cities like Porto, Portugal and other potential new destinations. United’s 757 planes will reach the end of their lifespan in about a decade and Boeing is not building any more of the large single-aisle model. Instead, the planemaker has been considering a new twin-aisle plane, provisionally known as the NMA, but has delayed a launch decision until 2020 while it manages the ongoing global grounding of its 737 MAX jets following two fatal crashes. United’s COO Andrew Nocella said the airline has worked closely with Boeing on the potential new aircraft and is still open to orders if the planemaker decides to move forward with developing the NMA. Among the benefits of the A321XLR is a 30% lower fuel burn per seat compared to previous generation aircraft, United said. United has also ordered the larger A350 widebody jets but said it is deferring delivery of those jets until they are needed in 2027.<br/>