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The Air Current • Jon Ostrower

United: no new jet purchases without a propulsion choice; Kirby admits limited leverage over engine OEMs

United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby told reporters in Los Angeles the carrier will not commit to buying future airplanes unless it has a clear propulsion choice, and he conceded United currently has little leverage over engine OEMs — a constraint on its negotiation power.

2026-03-24T19:22:20.123885-07:00

Breitflyte

United and American to each add 250+ aircraft in compressed two‑year windows, triggering major US fleet refresh

2026-03-24T12:51:40.624539-07:00

Skift

United accelerates fleet and cabin overhaul — 250+ jets, A321/787-9 upgauging cuts fuel burn 36%

2026-03-24T05:15:21.835034-07:00

Paddle Your Own Kanoo

United begins final mediated bargaining with 30,000 flight attendants as strike risk looms

2026-03-24T05:15:22.579834-07:00

News Timeline

The Air Current

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United: no new jet purchases without a propulsion choice; Kirby admits limited leverage over engine OEMs United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby told reporters in Los Angeles the carrier will not commit to buying future airplanes unless it has a clear propulsion choice, and he conceded United currently has little leverage over engine OEMs — a constraint on its negotiation power.

2026-03-24T19:22:20.123885-07:00

United: no new jet purchases without a propulsion choice; Kirby admits limited leverage over engine OEMs

Breitflyte

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United and American to each add 250+ aircraft in compressed two‑year windows, triggering major US fleet refresh United will receive more than 250 new aircraft by April 2028 — the largest two‑year intake any airline has taken — and American plans to add over 250 aircraft across the next two years. Deliveries will introduce new subfleets, premium cabins and redesigned regional jets.

2026-03-24T12:51:40.624539-07:00

United and American to each add 250+ aircraft in compressed two‑year windows, triggering major US fleet refresh

The Air Current

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United CEO publicly doubts eVTOL airport‑shuttle model, flags concern over Archer tie‑up United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby publicly questioned the commercial viability of eVTOLs as airport shuttles and signalled concern about United's partnership with Archer Aviation. His remarks introduce fresh uncertainty about carriers' willingness to underwrite near‑term urban air mobility launch models and partnerships.

2026-03-24T10:38:46.953442-07:00

United CEO publicly doubts eVTOL airport‑shuttle model, flags concern over Archer tie‑up

Paddle Your Own Kanoo

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United begins final mediated bargaining with 30,000 flight attendants as strike risk looms United Airlines and its flight attendant union begin a final, four-day round of mediated bargaining this week after nearly six years without a contract for more than 30,000 cabin crew; the negotiations will determine potential pay gains or a move toward strike action that could disrupt operations.

2026-03-24T05:15:22.579834-07:00

United begins final mediated bargaining with 30,000 flight attendants as strike risk looms

Skift

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United accelerates fleet and cabin overhaul — 250+ jets, A321/787-9 upgauging cuts fuel burn 36% United is accelerating a fleet and cabin overhaul — more than 250 aircraft due in the next two years — shifting capacity toward A321s and 787-9s that raise seat output and cut fuel burn by 36%. It will premiumise regional CRJ450s and reconfigure cabins as high fuel costs force network pruning.

2026-03-24T05:15:21.835034-07:00

United accelerates fleet and cabin overhaul — 250+ jets, A321/787-9 upgauging cuts fuel burn 36%

The Air Current

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United to Trim Up to 5% Capacity in Q2–Q3 as Jet Fuel Surges After Iran War United will trim up to 5% of capacity in Q2–Q3 (extending into the fall) and cut unprofitable routes as jet fuel spikes following the Iran war. CEO Scott Kirby told employees the temporary reductions protect margins while the carrier pursues its longer-term growth plan.

2026-03-20T16:47:20.096833-07:00

United to Trim Up to 5% Capacity in Q2–Q3 as Jet Fuel Surges After Iran War

Paddle Your Own Kanoo

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JetBlue pilots sue to force arbitration, allege Blue Sky partnership with United breaches job protections JetBlue pilots have sued the carrier seeking to compel full, binding arbitration, alleging the Blue Sky partnership with United — announced May 2025 — violates contractual job‑protection provisions. The action comes amid ongoing contract talks and a separate roughly $100 million commercial dispute tied to past alliance fallout.

2026-03-20T11:54:17.717891-07:00

JetBlue pilots sue to force arbitration, allege Blue Sky partnership with United breaches job protections

Paddle Your Own Kanoo

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United notifies 30,000 flight attendants of transfer to London United Airlines sent a mass email informing its roughly 30,000 flight attendants they were being transferred to operate out of London — the carrier’s last remaining crew base outside the contiguous United States and Guam — a message that reportedly surprised many crew members.

2026-03-20T03:49:19.093984-07:00

United notifies 30,000 flight attendants of transfer to London

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United Airlines News

United: no new jet purchases without a propulsion choice; Kirby admits limited leverage over engine OEMs

United and American to each add 250+ aircraft in compressed two‑year windows, triggering major US fleet refresh

United accelerates fleet and cabin overhaul — 250+ jets, A321/787-9 upgauging cuts fuel burn 36%

United begins final mediated bargaining with 30,000 flight attendants as strike risk looms

News Timeline