United welcomes first A321neo

On 16 October 2023, the first United Airlines Airbus A321neo was ferried to Houston (TX) on delivery. The aircraft, A321-271NX N44501 (11500) was handed over at the Airbus-factory at Hamburg on 10 October 2023. Originally, the aircraft was due to ferry on 13 October but this flight was cancelled. The delivery route was Hamburg-Reykjavik-Cleveland-Houston.

The delivery is the first factory fresh Airbus-delivery for United Airlines since 2002. It's also the first of 180 A321neos the airline has on order. Earlier this month, United announced that it has added 60 additional orders for the type.

Initially, United Airlines is planning to fly its new Airbus from Chicago (IL) to Fort Lauderdale (FL) and Phoenix (AZ). Commercial service is due to begin early December.

Photo by Airbus.