New York, Dec 4 (AFP/APP): United Airlines said Tuesday it had ordered 50 Airbus A321XLR aircraft, worth an estimated $6.5 billion, to replace an existing fleet of aging Boeings. The new Airbus planes, which will be delivered in 2024, will allow United to retire its Boeing 757-200s, the company said. The Airbus order is the latest blow to the American manufacturer, already deeply mired in the crisis surrounding its 737 MAX. Boeing, whose 737 MAX has been grounded worldwide after two crashes that resulted in 346 deaths, currently has no new aircraft to compete with the Airbus A321XLR in the mid-market range. Airbus launched the A321XLR only this year, at the Paris Air Show in June. The single-aisle aircraft’s range is 15 percent above that of its predecessor model, the A321LR, making it a cost-effective alternative to long-haul wide-body planes. United said it intends to use the new aircraft to serve additional European destinations from US East Coast hubs in Newark/New York and Washington. United turned to Airbus for the purchase due to Boeing’s lack of aircraft in the mid-market range, a source close to the matter told AFP on condition of anonymity. “There are no aircraft currently offered by … Continue reading United Airlines orders 50 Airbus aircraft to replace Boeing 757s