Did United order the A350?

United had 657 aircraft on firm order at the end of June, its latest fleet plan shows. That includes 45 Airbus A350s that were ordered by the airline before its merger with Continental Airlines in 2010, and have been postponed repeatedly in the decade-plus since. The airline maintains its A350 order, Nocella said.



The saga of United Airlines and the Airbus A350 is one of the longest-running "will-they-won't-they" stories in aviation history. United originally ordered the A350 back in 2009, and the order has been deferred and modified multiple times over the last 15 years. As of early 2026, the order for 45 Airbus A350-900s technically remains on the books, but its future is highly uncertain. In a significant 2026 SEC filing, United removed the A350 from its "Expected Deliveries" through 2027, following a high-profile legal dispute with Rolls-Royce (the sole engine supplier for the A350) over maintenance agreements. While the contract with Airbus hasn't been officially canceled, United has heavily favored the Boeing 787 Dreamliner for its widebody needs, placing record-breaking orders for the American-made jet instead. For now, the A350s are effectively "ghost orders"—contractually existing but with no firm delivery date, as United focuses its 2026-2030 strategy on a simplified, Boeing-heavy long-haul fleet to streamline pilot training and maintenance costs.

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The 777-9 measures 251 ft 8 in (76.72 m) in length, compared with 242 ft 1 in (73.78 m) for the A350-1000. With its folding wingtips, its wingspan is much larger too – at 238 ft 10 in (72.80 m), it has more than 20 feet on the A350.

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The A350 was designed to be a direct competitor to the Boeing 787-9 and 777-200ER. The original A350 design was publicly criticised by two of Airbus's largest customers, International Lease Finance Corporation (ILFC) and GE Capital Aviation Services (GECAS).

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United placed its largest aircraft order, for 270 planes, in 2021, followed by another order last year for 100 Dreamliners. Those orders allowed the airline to “secure the best possible deal terms,” Andrew Nocella, United's chief commercial officer, said on a call with reporters.

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The Airbus A350 burns 25 per cent less fuel than most previous generation aircraft, so it generates less carbon dioxide. It is quieter too, so it's better for the environment in a number of ways.

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The Bottom Line: The Airbus A350-900 and Boeing 787-9 are very similar aircraft, suited for similar missions. As one would expect, the slightly larger A350-900 has a seat-mile cost advantage, while the 787-9 has an advantage in cost per block hour. These aircraft are competitive, and nearly tie in economic performance.

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Aerodynamics. Talking of the wings, they play a massive part in the aerodynamic gains in the A350 design. What makes them so special is the way they've been designed to morph in flight, changing shape for maximum aerodynamic efficiency throughout the different phases of the journey.

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While the 777X offers unrivalled dimensions, advanced materials, and cutting-edge engine technology, the A350 shines with its lightweight composite airframe, advanced aerodynamics, and superior fuel efficiency.

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Current title holder for the aircraft with the longest ETOPS rating is the Airbus 350-900, certified to fly for up to 370 minutes on one engine. That gives it a maximum diversion distance up to 2500 nautical miles, or 4630 kilometres.

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