United Airlines has accelerated the expansion of its fleet by taking delivery of three Airbus A321neo narrowbody aircraft within a week. According to data from FlightAware.com, the first aircraft arrived at Tampa International Airport (TPA) on December 23, 2025, followed by two additional deliveries on December 29, 2025. This brings United’s total A321neo fleet to 56, with an average age of just one year.
The newly delivered A321neos include aircraft registered as N14565, N34562, and N14563. All three were delivered from Mobile International Airport (BFM), a key production site for Airbus in the United States, where the A321 models are manufactured. The Mobile facility has been operational since 2015 and has produced hundreds of A320-family jets, with the first Alabama-built A321 delivered to JetBlue in 2016. Currently, Airbus employs over 2,000 people at its production and engineering facilities in Alabama.
Future Expansion Plans for United Airlines
Looking ahead, United Airlines is set to expand its A321neo fleet significantly. The Chicago-based airline plans to receive a total of 149 A321neos in the future, which includes an order for 50 Airbus A321XLR narrowbody aircraft. This expansion aligns with the airline’s strategy to enhance its operational efficiency and meet growing passenger demand.
Airbus has recently revised its delivery targets, now aiming to deliver around 790 aircraft in 2025, down from an earlier goal of 820. This adjustment is attributed to quality issues with fuselage panels that have affected the delivery flow of the A320 family of aircraft. As of November 2025, Airbus had delivered a total of 657 aircraft to 87 customers worldwide, leaving a remaining 133 aircraft to meet its revised target.
Challenges Facing Airbus Deliveries
The slowdown in deliveries reflects broader challenges within the aviation industry. In November 2025, Airbus delivered 72 new aircraft, marking a 12% decline compared to the same month in the previous year. This decrease has prompted the manufacturer to adjust its delivery targets. The issues stem from a supplier quality problem involving metal fuselage panels produced by Sofitec Aero, which were found to be manufactured at incorrect thicknesses.
Additionally, a software issue in the Airbus A320 family led to the temporary grounding of approximately 6,000 aircraft following a midair incident linked to a glitch exacerbated by solar radiation. This situation has contributed to delays in delivery progress and further scrutiny of the manufacturing process.
As United Airlines continues to enhance its fleet, the aviation sector remains vigilant regarding the challenges facing manufacturers. The delivery of these three A321neos signals a significant step in United’s ongoing efforts to modernize its operations and improve service efficiency.
