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United Airlines to order A380 jumbo jet?
Things are going pretty well for United this year. Full approval for their merger with Continental Airlines went through, they became the first domestic carrier to adopt bio fuel and one of their biggest competitors has gone bankrupt. Their media and public relations departments should get the rest of the year off. In fact, they should buy us dinner.
In addition to all of that good news, rumors around the community are that the airline is eyeballing a new Airbus A380, the largest passenger aircraft on the market and a behemoth that's usually only reserved for the major international carriers. Though United flies plenty of routes, the majority of their passengers fly short haul in the United States, and as such a heavy, fuel-guzzling aircraft is hardly worth the investment.
With growing focus in the Asian Pacific region, however, the airline may start investing in larger aircraft to serve that market. While they haven't made any official announcement to lay public, Aviation Week reports that the COO of airbus claims "that United President and CEO Jeffery Smisek has changed his previously held view that the widebody was inappropriate for U.S. operators and now saw possibilities for the A380 in the new United fleet."
Perhaps that means that the American carriers are finally willing to step into the long haul game. We sure hope so.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
verdegrrl Dec 3rd 2011 12:59PM
While it would be nice to see the fleet upgrade (their equipment is a little tired), it is slightly troubling to see this trend to the larger aircraft.
It's likely that the number of flights will be cut down, as well as the locations from which they depart. This means taking (more) feeder flights at each end.
Also, the level of service while on par with say Chinese carrier EVA at best, is nowhere approaching that of Cathay or Singapore Airlines. So they are stuck pricing themselves under the premium market, which may not provide the increased profits they hope for.
Grant Martin Dec 3rd 2011 1:15PM
Good and valid points. I almost see this as symbolic too, as in "we're the first American carrier, look at us!"
BrianM Dec 3rd 2011 12:59PM
I hope the "they should buy us dinner" part of the article was a joke and not some sort of good press for good food hint.
Grant Martin Dec 3rd 2011 1:11PM
Both UA and Gadling Labs are based in Chicago, Brian and I work with their media relations pretty closely. I'm just giving them a hard time because I know how hard they work. :)
pvguy Dec 4th 2011 1:05AM
Aside from the fact the UA has a large domestic network, they are very clearly a "long haul carrier". Their 747 fleet is getting old and probably makes sense for them to bring A380's into the fleet. Too bad there is not something comparable built in the U.S.
Joe Dec 4th 2011 8:59PM
If UA buys A380s, they will probably order them without the private rooms, stores, etc., and simply cram both decks full of seats so they can make more money.
747flyr Dec 4th 2011 8:16PM
There most certainly is a comparable product and that is the 747-8. Check it out on the Boeing website or you tube. Believe me Airbus is not happy that this great aircraft has just been certified. As I like to say, "if It's not Boeing, I'm not going".