United Airlines' long-standing order for 45 Airbus A350-900 aircraft faces significant uncertainty amid a dispute with engine manufacturer Rolls-Royce. The airline indicates it has terminated its contractual agreements following breaches by Rolls-Royce, which failed to make a committed payment in December 2025. The dispute, initially disclosed in SEC filings, raises questions about the future delivery of these widebody aircraft, critical for replacing aging fleets.
Established in 2009, United's A350 order was part of a strategic plan to upgrade its international fleet and improve operational efficiencies. However, delays and strategic shifts, such as switching between A350 variants and deferring deliveries, have complicated this plan. The airline has also increased its backlog of Boeing 787 Dreamliners, which currently form the core of its long-haul fleet, while the A350 program struggled to materialize as originally envisioned.
In recent statements, United's CEO Scott Kirby emphasized the need to make a decisive choice about the A350 order, citing the impending retirement of the Boeing 767 and the aging of the Boeing 777 fleet. The airline plans to retire its 767s by the end of the decade and is considering the A350 as a replacement. Nonetheless, the ongoing dispute with Rolls-Royce, coupled with delays in Airbus's delivery schedule, leaves the order's fate uncertain.
The potential cancellation reflects broader issues in the widebody aircraft market, where availability is becoming increasingly scarce. As United Airlines evaluates its fleet strategy, the next few months will be critical for confirming its aircraft procurement plans and resolving the dispute over the A350 order.
