One of the leading air carriers, United Continental Holdings (UAL) announced its plans to deploy its first Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft in early 2012. This is the first of the 50 Dreamliners that the company plans to deploy.
United Continental will become the first U.S. airline to receive the Boeing 787. This milestone move will take the company a step ahead of its peers Delta Air Lines Inc. (DAL) and AMR Corporation (AMR).
Boeing 787 will be equipped with improvised features like better lighting, bigger windows, larger overhead bins, increased cabin humidity, reduced cabin pressure and enhanced ventilation systems. The carrier will also have 36 flat bed seats in Business class, 63 extra-legroom seats in Economy Plus and 120 seats in Economy. The aircraft's superior cabin environment and sleek design allow it to fly farther, faster and more efficiently.
Further, the company believes that the Boeing 787 will allow new business wins in long-haul markets and replace older, less-efficient large size aircraft given its fuel efficiency and best-in-class operating performance. United Continental operates one of the most fuel-efficient fleet in the industry with luxurious seats and other activities.
United expects to take delivery of 25 Boeing 787 aircraft and 25 Airbus A350XWB aircraft from 2016 to 2019. Continental expects to take delivery of 84 new aircraft (59 Boeing 737 and 25 Boeing 787 aircraft) from April 2011 to 2016. Continental took delivery of two Boeing 737 aircraft in March and is expected to take delivery of two additional Boeing 737 aircraft in the remainder of 2011.
United Continental is in process of re-branding the fleet, offering Wi-fi in more than 200 Continental Boeing 737 and 757 aircraft through LiveTV and continuing to reconfigure its international aircraft with new flat-bed seats in first and business classes. The fleet will also be equipped with winglets, direct TV in every seat back and the new Boeing Sky Interior, improving customer experience on-board.
We maintain our long-term Neutral recommendation on the stock supported by a Zacks #3 Rank (Hold).
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