United Airlines and Airbus celebrated the delivery of the first A321neo on Thursday, October 12, according to journalist Jon Ostrower – the two companies have not yet officially announced the fact.
The aircraft registration N44501 is part of a huge order for new aircraft placed by United at various times. The A321neo will initially be used on routes from Chicago to destinations such as Fort Lauderdale and Phoenix.
According to Ostrover, the A321neo is the first new aircraft that Airbus has delivered to United Airlines since 2002.
The carrier currently has 173 jets from the European manufacturer, but the newest of them entered service in 2007, an A319 originally ordered by China Southern Airlines.
United Airlines has commitments to purchase 180 aircraft of the model, including 50 A321XLR, the ultra-long-range variant of the narrow-body jet.
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The latest order was announced last week and included 60 A321neo and a further 40 purchase options.
Until October 13, A321neo N44501 still remained in Hamburg, where the delivery ceremony took place.
