Overview
- United disclosed in an SEC filing that it is contesting a 2010 engine and maintenance deal with Rolls-Royce after paying a $175 million commitment in 2017 and demanding repayment with escalation in December 2025.
- Rolls-Royce denies any breach, says it has met its obligations, and both companies claim the other owes money as legal proceedings limit further comment.
- United’s annual report now lists no plans to take A350-900 deliveries in 2026, 2027, or thereafter, replacing prior guidance that pointed to arrivals after 2026.
- United and Airbus finalized an amendment to the A350-900 purchase agreement on December 23, 2025, with key terms confidential, and Airbus continues to show the 45 aircraft on its backlog.
- United signals near-term widebody capacity from Boeing jets, planning no 777 retirements in 2026 and expecting 16 787 deliveries while holding a sizable 787 order book.