United Airlines to Decide on A350 Order by End of Decade
United Airlines plans to determine the future of its long-delayed Airbus A350 order by the end of the decade, coinciding with the retirement of its aging Boeing 767 fleet. Speaking at the APEX Global Expo 2025 in Long Beach, CEO Scott Kirby said the airline expects to be “well into retiring the Boeing 767” by that time, making it a natural point to “think about whether to make the Airbus A350 order firm in the 2030 timeframe.”
United currently operates a fleet of 1,051 aircraft, including thirty-seven Boeing 767-300ERs and sixteen Boeing 767-400ERs. According to ch-aviation data, the two variants average 29.6 and 24 years of age respectively. Earlier this year, the carrier confirmed it was accelerating the phase-out of its older, costlier aircraft as part of a broader fleet modernization strategy.
Us Major Airlines Aircraft Type and Average Age:
- United Airlines
Boeing 787 7.2 years; backbone of long-haul fleet; over 140 on order
Boeing 777 22.0 years; includes older 777-200ER and 777-300ER variants
Boeing 767 27.9 years; oldest 767-300ER slated for retirement, younger 767-400ER might remain longer - Delta
Airbus A350 5.2 years; newest widebody; acquired some from LATAM
Airbus A330 10.8 years; includes older -200/-300 and newer -900neo models
Boeing 767 27.5 years; legacy aircraft; planned retirement by 2030 - American
Boeing 787-8/-9 6.7 years; rapid expansion; replacing older 777s
Boeing 777-300ER 11.6 years; flagship long-haul aircraft; being retrofitted
Boeing 777-200ER 24.8 years; oldest widebody; gradual phase-out underway
The airline originally announced its intention to purchase forty-five A350-900s in 2017 but has repeatedly deferred the order in favor of more immediate fleet needs. Industry observers see a firm A350 commitment as a potential replacement for the 767 on long-haul routes, giving United improved fuel efficiency and passenger comfort while maintaining flexibility across its global network.
Kirby’s comments mark the clearest timeline yet for the decision, which will shape United’s widebody operations into the next decade. A move to finalize the A350 order could also signal a broader shift in United’s fleet strategy as it balances Airbus and Boeing types to meet rising demand and operational goals worldwide.
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Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, ch-aviation.com