United Airlines, one of the major airlines in the United States, has recently made a significant decision regarding its aircraft orders. The airline has instructed Boeing, the American multinational corporation that designs, manufactures, and sells airplanes, to shift its focus from building the 737 MAX 10 to the 737 MAX 9.
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The decision comes as the certification of the MAX 10 looks increasingly unlikely to happen within the next couple of years. The Alaska Airlines door plug blowout and subsequent investigations have hampered Boeing's production ambitions. "We've asked Boeing to stop building Max 10s, which they've done, for us, and start building Max 9s. It's impossible to say when the Max 10 is going to get certified," United CEO Scott Kirby told a JPMorgan investor conference on March 12, 2024.
United Airlines has an outstanding order for 277 Boeing 737 MAX 10 aircraft, plus another 200 options. However, the uncertainty surrounding the MAX 10's certification has led United to consider other options. Kirby confirmed rumors that the airline is looking at the Airbus A321 as a possible alternative to some of the MAX 10s it has on order. "We are in the market for A321s, and if we get a deal where the economics work, we'll do something. If we don't, we won't and will wind up with more Max 9s," Kirby said.
Despite the shift in focus to the MAX 9, once the MAX 10 receives certification, United plans to switch back to the larger family aircraft variant. This decision underscores the airline's flexibility in adapting to the changing circumstances in the aviation industry. In conclusion, United Airlines' decision to swap its 737 MAX 10 order for MAX 9 and its ongoing talks with Airbus for the A321 reflect the airline's strategic approach to managing its fleet amid uncertainties in the aviation industry. It also highlights the importance of aircraft certification in ensuring safety and reliability in air travel.