Colorado Politics

United Airlines expanding fleet of planes, Denver gaining thousands of jobs

Chicago-based United Airlines plans to expand its fleet by 270 airplanes from Boeing and Airbus, which it states will add up to 3,000 jobs to its Colorado hub in coming years.

United is the largest carrier to operate out of Denver International Airport with 450 flights daily, and will soon have 90 gates once the airport’s gate-expansion project is done in 2022.

Airline officials are calling it “the largest combined order in the airline’s history and the biggest by an individual carrier in the last decade.”

The order includes 200 Boeing 737 MAX and 70 Airbus 321neo planes, “as well as plans to retrofit 100% of remaining mainline, narrow-body fleet.”

United is marketing the fleet expansion as “United Next,” and dubs it a “75% increase in premium seats per North American departure.

“Our United Next vision will revolutionize the experience of flying United as we accelerate our business to meet a resurgence in air travel,” said CEO Scott Kirby in a statement. “By adding and upgrading this many aircraft so quickly with our new signature interiors, we’ll combine friendly, helpful service with the best experience in the sky, all across our premier global network.

“At the same time, this move underscores the critical role United plays in fueling the broader U.S. economy – we expect the addition of these new aircraft will have a significant economic impact on the communities we serve in terms of job creation, traveler spending and commerce.”

For Denver, that means the addition of up to 3,000 jobs by 2026, according to the company.

“When combined with the current order book, United expects to introduce more than 500 new, narrow-body aircraft: 40 in 2022, 138 in 2023 and as many as 350 in 2024 and beyond,” according to a press release. “That means in 2023 alone, United’s fleet will, on average, add about one new narrow-body aircraft every three days.”

Passengers should notice interior improvements: Larger overhead bins, “industry’s fastest” available in-flight WiFi, as well as a bright look-and-feel with LED lighting.”

Airline officials state Denver is one of United’s fastest growing hubs and operates more than 85% of its domestic schedule compared to 2019. The airline is spending $825 towards DIA’s gate-expansion project.

“For more than 80 consecutive years, United has flown travelers from the Mile High City to destinations around the world – longer than any other airline,” said Matt Miller, vice president for Airport Operations at DEN, in a statement. “Today’s historic aircraft order only deepens our commitment to the Denver community, and we expect it will bring new flights, jobs and economic benefits to the region and the customers here we proudly serve.”

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