With Boeing (NYSE:BA) plagued by production delays and regulatory scrutiny over its MAX 10, United Airlines (NASDAQ:UAL) is close to replacing its order with the Airbus A321neo, according to Bloomberg. The switch to Boeing’s French rival comes as little surprise as the carrier has been struggling to find replacements for the Boeing MAX 10 with deliveries delayed by more than five years.
The Airbus A321neo is comparable to the MAX 10 with seating for 180 to 220 passengers and a range of 4,026 miles. The Boeing MAX 10 seats 188-204 with a range of 3,100 miles.
After a series of incidents involving Boeing (BA) aircraft that heightened regulatory oversight from the Federal Aviation Administration, Boeing has been unable to meet current orders and pushed out delivery dates for the 737 MAX 10 and MAX 8. Southwest Airlines (LUV) is now expecting 10 less MAX 737-8s, and Delta (DAL) is expecting to receive 10 MAX 737 10s in 2027 from the initial delivery date of 2025.
The delay in MAX 737 10 deliveries has stalled United’s (UAL) expansion plans and forced the carrier to pause new pilot hires given the lack of new planes. In light of delays, United (UAL) asked Boeing to halt production of the aircraft and switch to the smaller MAX 9 while Boeing (BA) obtains FAA certification for the 10.
United has reportedly been in talks with Airbus recently to obtain production slots left vacant by JetBlue (JBLU) and Spirit (SAVE) after the two carries postponed orders for the A320 aircraft. The new Airbus aircraft are due to be delivered between 2025 and 2027, sources cited by Bloomberg said.
