Why It Matters
The purchase strengthens United’s operational reliability and bargaining power while solidifying GE’s dominance in the wide‑body engine market, influencing future fleet decisions across the industry.
Key Takeaways
- •United orders 300 GEnx engines plus spares.
- •Deal makes United largest GEnx operator worldwide.
- •Supports fleet expansion of ~80 to over 100 Dreamliners.
- •Reinforces GE's market share against Rolls‑Royce Trent 1000.
Pulse Analysis
The GEnx engine has become the de‑facto powerplant for the majority of Boeing 787 operators, with roughly two‑thirds of the global fleet already equipped. United’s latest order not only expands its own fleet but also signals confidence in the engine’s fuel efficiency, reliability, and commonality benefits, especially when compared with the Rolls‑Royce Trent 1000, which has faced higher maintenance costs and mixed performance records. By locking in a sizable volume of engines and spares, United can negotiate better terms and streamline its maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) processes across its growing Dreamliner base.
From a financial perspective, the bulk purchase provides United with predictable lifecycle costs and reduces exposure to price volatility in the aftermarket. GE Aerospace, meanwhile, secures a steady revenue stream that bolsters its commercial engine segment, helping fund next‑generation technologies such as open‑rotor concepts and hybrid‑electric propulsion. The deal also enhances United’s leverage in future negotiations with engine manufacturers, as it demonstrates a willingness to commit to a single platform for operational simplicity and cost control.
Industry‑wide, United’s move reinforces the competitive edge of the GEnx platform and may prompt other airlines to reevaluate their engine choices as they plan fleet renewals. With sustainability targets tightening, the GEnx’s lower emissions per seat‑mile align with airline carbon‑reduction goals, potentially accelerating its adoption. The partnership underscores the strategic importance of long‑term engine‑airline relationships in shaping the commercial aviation landscape over the coming decade.
United Orders 300 GEnx Engines for 787s
The agreement extends the carrier’s partnership with GE Aerospace.
By: Zach Vasile
Edited By: Ryan Ewing
Published: Tuesday, February 17 2026 at 09:50 AM ET
United Boeing 787‑8 Dreamliner
Key Takeaways
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United Airlines has chosen GE Aerospace’s GEnx engine to continue powering its Boeing 787 Dreamliner fleet.
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The airline agreed to purchase 300 additional GEnx engines, along with spares, for its new 787s.
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This deal will make United Airlines the largest operator of GEnx engines globally.
United will continue to use GE Aerospace’s GEnx engine to power its Boeing 787s, the two companies announced Monday.
The airline agreed to buy 300 more GEnx engines, plus spares, for its new Dreamliners. A purchase price was not disclosed.
United currently operates around 80 787s and will take delivery of dozens more over the coming decade. Its in‑service Dreamliners also use the GEnx.
“GE Aerospace has an enduring relationship with United that spans decades,” Mohamed Ali, president and CEO of GE Aerospace commercial engines and services, said in a news release. “This deal will make United the largest GEnx operator in the world, and we’re honored they continue to choose us to power their success.”
Dreamliner operators have two options to power the aircraft – the GEnx and Rolls‑Royce’s Trent 1000. About two‑thirds of the global fleet use the GEnx.
About the Author
Zach Vasile is a writer and editor covering news in all aspects of commercial aviation. He has reported for and contributed to the Manchester Journal Inquirer, the Hartford Business Journal, the Charlotte Observer, and the Washington Examiner, with his area of focus being the intersection of business and government policy.
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