A350 vekker interesse hos den største - United

United Said to Study Biggest Airbus A350 to Replace Boeing 747s

Ill.: Airbus

 

United Continental Holdings Inc. (UAL) is in talks with Airbus SAS about buying A350-1000 jets, a step toward the first U.S. purchase for the planemaker's largest twin-engine model, people familiar with talks said.

The world's biggest airline is considering the 350-seat plane to replace older Boeing Co. (BA) 747s, said the people, who asked not to be identified because the talks are private. United already has agreed to buy 25 of the mid-sized A350-900 variant under a 2009 deal that included 25 of Boeing's 787 Dreamliners.

A United order would help Toulouse, France-based Airbus in its effort to loosen Boeing's grip on the market for large twin- aisle aircraft. Airbus had suffered cancellations and a four- year A350-1000 order drought until July. United has said it's also looking at what Boeing will offer as a successor to its 777, the Chicago-based planemaker's biggest two-engine model.