United Airlines further solidified its relationship with Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner on Tuesday by announcing it will be the first North American carrier to fly the 787-10, increasing its total order to 65.
The carrier’s Dreamliner order now includes 20 of the newest 787-10s, which will sell for about $290 million and will be the stretch version of the 787-9 model. The 787-9 is larger than the 787-8 and is in production.
United has six 787-8s in service, the smallest of the variants and the only one currently flying.
The airline’s announcement happened before a Tokyo-bound Dreamliner was forced to divert because of a problem with the oil filter.
United served as the U.S. launch customer for the carbon-fiber aircraft when it began flying the aircraft in November and will continue that role as the launch customer for the 787-10, with an expected delivery date in 2018.
“Advanced technology aircraft like the 787-10 are key to United’s future, enabling us to fly fuel-efficient, customer-pleasing aircraft that are the right size for many long-haul markets in our unparalleled network,” said Jeff Smisek, United’s chairman, president and CEO, in a news release.
The 787-8 can seat between 210 and 250 passengers, the 787-9 can be configured for between 250 and 290 passengers, and the 787-10 is expected to seat between 300 and 330.
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