United Airlines is buying 50 of Airbus’s long-range version of the A321, largely to replace its fleet of older, aging and less efficient 757s in service to Europe and across the U.S., with delivery to start in 2024. The planes are estimated to burn 30% less fuel than the 757 with a load of around 170 passengers.
While speculation continues about whether Boeing will build a “new mid-market airplane,” or NMA, to fit the slot once occupied by the veteran 757, Airbus appears to be picking up orders that might otherwise have been for the MMA, selling not only to United, but to others as 757 replacements. American has also ordered 50, and Frontier 18. JetBlue has ordered 13, but it has always been an Airbus-oriented airline.
United had been considering other possibilities for 757 replacement, including the NMA, which is now too far into the future as an option and larger than United wanted, and the 737 MAX 10 which lacks the range. United says it hasn’t closed the door on NMA if it happens, but at 200-270 passengers, it would be as a 767 replacement.
Along with the A321XLR order, United pushed its order for A350s back five years, with deliveries to start in 2027 rather than 2022. The order was first placed ten years ago, and has twice before been delayed. Unless the potential NMA changes United’s mind, the A350s will replace United’s older and smaller 777s, the -200 model.
