United Complains Airbus Won't Give It Competitive Prices
Skift Take
We like United President Scott Kirby because he says what's on his mind. But something doesn't add up here. Is this the real reason United hasn't placed a new order for the A320 family of jets?
Airbus cannot give United Airlines a competitive price for new single-aisle aircraft because of a deal the manufacturer struck with American Airlines several years ago, United President Scott Kirby told employees recently in Los Angeles.
American's deal with Airbus — called a "most-favorable customer" clause — suggests United may add more Boeing aircraft than Airbuses in the near future. But Kirby, until August 2016 American's president, said the deal eventually expires — he did not say when — and that United will seriously consider Airbus jets.
American, historically a Boeing and McDonnell Douglas operator, placed a large order in 2011 for Airbus A319s and A321s, a deal that proved Airbus could win big business from a major U.S. airline. The New York Times called it a "coup" for Airbus.
"One of the challenges for us buying new airplanes right now is that Airbus did a deal wi
