United Airlines becomes North American launch customer for the 787-10

United Airlines announced (18-Jun-2013) it has become the North American launch customer for the Boeing 787-10. It increased its 787 order to 65 aircraft (including six previously delivered aircraft) with an order for 20 787-10s. United expects delivery of its first 787-10X aircraft in 2018. United ordered 10 incremental 787-10 aircraft and will convert 10 existing 787s on order to 787-10s. The new order will enable the airline to further modernise its international widebody fleet by replacing older, less efficient aircraft. United is currently the only US airline to operate the 787. United had previous orders for an additional 49 Dreamliners consisting of both the -8 and -9 variants. In Jul-2012, United announced a narrowbody order for 100 Boeing 737 MAX 9 aircraft and 50 Boeing 737-900ER aircraft. In addition, United has an order for 25 A350 aircraft. The airline is also modernising its United Express fleet by adding 70 76-seat Embraer aircraft that will be operated by United Express regional partners. [more - original PR]