NEWARK, N.J. (1010 WINS) — United Airlines announced Tuesday it's making the largest widebody order ever placed by a US airline in commercial aviation history, which means thousands of additional jobs at its hub at Newark Liberty International Airport.
The historic order includes 100 Boeing 787 Dreamliners to be delivered between 2024 and 2032, as well as the option to purchase 100 additional 787 widebodies to begin replacing its fleet of 767 and 777 aircraft.
Gerry Laderman, United Airlines executive vice president and chief financial officer, said in a statement that the plan solves their "current widebody replacement needs in a more fuel-efficient and cost-efficient way" and will give customers a "best-in-class experience."
United picked the 787 to replace its Boeing 767 jets and some of its Boeing 777s that are nearing 30 years in age — some of the 767s have already hit that milestone — and far less fuel-efficient.
The airline could have chosen the A350, built by Boeing's European rival, Airbus. United already has 45 A350s on order but doesn't expect to start receiving them until 2030.
United CEO Scott Kirby told reporters United went with Boeing because it already flies the 787 and did not want to add a new plane to the fleet now, when it is busy hiring pilots and trying to expand its route network.
It comes after the airline purchased 200 Max jets and 70 single-aisle Airbus jets last year, calling it the largest order in the airline's history. United said in that previous announcement that it planned to add another 5,000 employees at Newark Liberty International Airport, NJ.com reported.
Andrew Nocella, United's Chief Commercial Officer and executive vice president, told the outlet that Newark travelers can now expect to see more long distance and international routes.
To support the expansion of the new 787 fleet, NJ.com reported that Laderman said United is looking to hire an additional 15,000 people across the country, including 2,500 pilots.
Nocella said that the airline plans to hire roughly 2,000 new employees at Newark Airport in 2023, ranging from pilots to flight attendants and support personnel "above and below the wings."
"We need more support to handle the larger aircraft," he said.
United, together with United Express, operates 440 daily flights out of Newark. Across the New York City metro area, the Houston-based airlines employs 14,000 people.
With the latest orders, United now expects capital spending to rise to $9 billion next year and $11 billion in 2024.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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