Airline to build largest Boeing Dreamliner fleet with purchase

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The airline that last year placed a record-setting order for Boeing widebody planes has exercised an option to add another 50 Dreamliners to that order.

United Airlines and Boeing today said the carrier is expanding its 787 Dreamliner fleet, exercising options to order 50 787-9 airplanes and securing an additional 50 options.

Last December United Airlines ordered 100 Dreamliners with an option for 100 more. It was the largest single order ever for widebody planes, the companies said at the time.

Related article: United Airlines orders 100 Dreamliners with option for 100 more

United Airlines says the new order for the North Charleston-based Dreamliners provides United additional flexibility as the airline modernizes its global fleet over the next decade.

"We're building a bright future at United, and this order takes our already successful United Next plan into the next decade and beyond," Scott Kirby, United CEO, said in a news release. "Our planning and focus on the long term have helped us surge past other airlines that stood still. I'm convinced our strategy is the right one as we continue to add new, larger aircraft to take full advantage of our growing flying opportunities both internationally and domestically."

With 150 firm orders, United has the largest Dreamliner orderbook on record and is positioned to become the largest 787 operator in the world, the release stated.

As the first airline to operate all three models in the 787 family, United's existing fleet consists of more than 70 Dreamliners. The fuel efficiency and reliability of the 787 provide United with the flexibility to fly its expansive global route network.

"United's unprecedented commitment to the 787 Dreamliner family is a testament to the market-leading operating economics and reliability of Boeing's widebody jets," said Stan Deal, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "With the 787, United will enjoy all the synergies of operating one of the largest, most efficient fleets in the skies."

The 787 reduces fuel use and emissions by up to 25% compared with the airplanes it replaces, depending on the configuration, the news release stated. The 787-9 has a globe-spanning range that allows carriers to fly up to 7,565 nautical miles while seating up to 296 passengers.

The 787 is the best-selling widebody in history with more than 1,800 orders from 87 customers – including more than 870 repeat orders from 56 repeat customers, according to the release. In the last year, customers have placed nearly 350 orders and commitments for the 787 family.