By Rajesh Kumar Singh

United Airlines Unfazed by Boeing Strike

CHICAGO (Reuters) – United Airlines does not expect a strike by factory workers at Boeing (NYSE:BA) to impact its flight schedule for next summer, including new route launches, according to a top executive at the carrier on Thursday.

Approximately 33,000 workers who build Boeing's 737, 777, and 767 jets have been on strike for nearly four weeks, resulting in a decrease in aircraft deliveries to airline customers.

As one of Boeing's most prominent customers, United received only 28 planes from the jet maker in the first nine months of this year, a decrease from 59 during the same period last year.

The Chicago-based airline plans to operate its largest-ever transatlantic schedule next summer, including flights to new destinations in Mongolia, Taiwan, Greenland, Italy, Spain, Portugal, and Senegal.

Patrick Quayle, senior vice president of international network and alliances at United, stated that Boeing's strike is not anticipated to impact the launch of these routes.

"At the moment, we're not expecting any impact for summer 2025," Quayle told reporters. "I'm confident that they'll get it resolved."

The latest round of negotiations between Boeing and its workers collapsed on Tuesday, reducing hopes for a swift end to the strike.

The lead negotiator for the workers informed Reuters that members are prepared to endure the strike against the planemaker.

In April, United announced plans to lease nearly three dozen Airbus planes to mitigate the impact of Boeing's delivery delays. The airline also removed Boeing's 737 MAX 10 planes from its schedule due to escalating uncertainty regarding the aircraft's certification and has converted some of its MAX 10 orders into the smaller MAX 9.

Additionally, United has placed orders for Airbus' longest-range narrowbody jet, the A321XLR, although Quayle noted that the first XLR is not expected to arrive until January 2026. The airline aims to replace its Boeing 757 jets with XLRs.