United Airlines has outlined its inaugural Airbus A321neo network, featuring service to five destinations from Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD).
The carrier’s first flight using the aircraft type will connect its Illinois hub and Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport on Dec. 14, operating with a changed flight number of UA321. Initially, the Star Alliance member intends to operate this route twice daily before transitioning to daily service in January.
A second A321neo route will also commence on Dec. 14, data provided by OAG Schedules Analyser shows, linking Chicago with Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Subsequently, three additional routes are scheduled to launch on Jan. 9, 2024, connecting ORD with Las Vegas and Florida's Fort Myers and Orlando. Each of these routes will be serviced with one daily flight utilizing A321neo aircraft.
United placed an order for 70 A321neos in June 2021, as part of a wider order for 270 aircraft designed to enhance connectivity and cut unit costs across its business. The move followed an existing firm order for 50 of the longer-range A321XLRs made in December 2019.
The introduction of the 200-seat A321neo from Chicago to Fort Lauderdale, Fort Myers, Las Vegas, Orlando and Phoenix Sky Harbor will enable United to increase capacity on each of the existing routes, replacing 166-seat Boeing 737-800s.
United already operates 174 Airbus narrowbodies, split between 81 A319s and 93 A320s. Delivery of its first A321neo aircraft is expected during the fourth quarter of 2023.
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