United Airlines’ ‘Historic’ Aircraft Purchase Could Mean Thousands of New Jobs in Denver
CO – More than 1,800 new jobs could come to Denver in 2023 as United Airlines announced Tuesday that it would increase hiring following what it calls a “historic purchase” of between 100 to 200 new widebody planes.
The purchase is the largest order of such planes by a U.S. airline in commercial aviation history. Widebody planes are aircraft that typically fly internationally, carrying a large volume of passengers with two aisles and seven or more seats across.
United has placed an order for 100 aircraft so far, with the option to add an additional 100. Denver will see the effects of the purchase, with the airline operating a hub and training center out of Denver International Airport and as it plans to add staffing and more flights. The acquisition comes at a time of growth for United, as air travel has bounced back since the start of the pandemic. At DIA, 2023 traffic levels are expected to exceed pre-pandemic numbers despite air traffic remaining tumultuous.
Approximately 100 planes of the new widebody order are expected to replace older Boeing 767 and Boeing 777 aircraft, with all 767 aircraft removed from the United fleet by 2030, “resulting in up to an expected 25% decrease in carbon emissions per seat for the new planes compared to the older planes they are expected to replace,” according to the press release. It’s part of United’s goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 100 percent by 2050 without buying carbon offsets.
United expects to take delivery of the new widebody planes between 2024 and 2032 and can choose among the 787-8, 9, or 10 models, providing flexibility to support a wide range of routes. United also exercised options to purchase 44 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft for delivery between 2024 and 2026 – consistent with the United Next 2026 capacity plan – and ordered 56 more MAX aircraft for delivery between 2027 and 2028.
“With this investment in its future fleet, the 737 MAX and 787 will help United accelerate its fleet modernization and global growth strategy,” said Stan Deal, President and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “The Boeing team is honored by United’s trust in our family of airplanes to connect people and transport cargo worldwide for decades to come.”
Additionally, more than 90% of the carrier’s international widebodies now feature the United Polaris business class seat, and United Premium Plus seating – upgrades for the remaining aircraft will be completed by the summer of 2023.
“United emerged from the pandemic as the world’s leading global airline and the flag carrier of the United States,” said United CEO Scott Kirby. “This order further solidifies our lead and creates new opportunities for our customers, employees, and shareholders by accelerating our plan to connect more people to more places around the globe and deliver the best experience in the sky.”