Airlines

United Airlines Selects Pratt & Whitney’s GTF For Future Airbus A321neo &A321XLR

An RTX company, Pratt & Whitney, stated that United Airlines (“United”) has chosen the GTF engine to power 70 Airbus A321neo and 50 A321XLR firm aircraft orders, the first of which is anticipated to be delivered this year.

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When United Aircraft and Transport Corporation was formed, Pratt & Whitney and Boeing flew Boeing Model 40 aircraft powered by a single Pratt & Whitney Wasp engine. This marked the beginning of their partnership, which continued for more than 90 years. Pratt & Whitney now provides power for over 250 United aircraft, including the Airbus A320neo family with V2500® engines and the Boeing 777 and 767 with PW4000 engines.

“United and Pratt & Whitney share a celebrated history as pioneers of commercial aviation, as well as a commitment to more sustainable aviation going forward,” said Rick Deurloo, president of Commercial Engines at Pratt & Whitney. “GTF engines will help United make the most of its A321neo and A321XLR aircraft, delivering for those aircraft types industry-leading payload, range, and environmental performance.”

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For the Airbus A320neo family, the Pratt & Whitney GTF engine, equipped with a Collins Aerospace nacelle and engine accessories, offers the highest fuel efficiency and the lowest greenhouse gas emissions. GTF-powered aircraft have 16% to 20% lower fuel consumption, CO2 emissions, up to 50% lower NOx emissions, and up to 75% lower noise footprints. The aviation industry’s aim of net zero emissions by 2050 will be achieved with the support of GTF engines, which are certified for operation on 50% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and have been successfully tested on 100% SAF.

Related Topics:Pratt whitney Unitedairlines

Airlines

DOT Proposes New Passenger Compensation Rules for Flight Disruptions

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has unveiled a major initiative to enhance protections for air travelers affected by flight cancellations or significant delays caused by airlines.

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This Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) seeks public feedback on new measures that could require airlines to compensate passengers and provide necessary services automatically.

Key Proposals by the DOT:

Cash Compensation for Airline-Caused Disruptions
- Airlines may be required to pay passengers at least $200 in cash for flight disruptions caused by circumstances under their control, such as mechanical issues or IT failures.
- A tiered compensation system is being considered:
  - $200–$300 for domestic delays of 3–6 hours.
  - $375–$525 for delays lasting 6–9 hours.
  - $750–$775 for delays exceeding 9 hours.
- The DOT is exploring whether smaller airlines should have different compensation thresholds and whether compensation is needed if passengers are notified weeks in advance of a disruption.
Free Rebooking on the Next Available Flight
- Airlines may be obligated to rebook passengers at no extra cost if a flight is canceled or delayed by at least 3 hours domestically or 6 hours internationally.
- Rebooking options may include:
  - Flights operated by the airline or its codeshare partners.
  - Flights on other carriers with which the airline has a commercial agreement if no suitable options are available within 24 hours.
Provision of Meals, Lodging, and Transportation
- Airlines may need to cover meals, overnight accommodations, and transportation for stranded passengers.
- Minimum reimbursements could be established when services aren’t provided upfront, ensuring passengers can recoup costs even without submitting receipts, up to a defined limit.

The DOT’s proposals draw inspiration from consumer protection frameworks in countries like Canada, Brazil, the UK, and the European Union. Research suggests that EU compensation requirements have successfully reduced the frequency and length of delays, demonstrating the effectiveness of such measures.

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Passengers currently face numerous hurdles when seeking compensation or services, including vague policies, lack of upfront communication, and reliance on in-person requests at airports. The new rulemaking aims to close these gaps by establishing clear, enforceable standards for airlines.

Public input on the proposed measures will shape the final rules. The DOT hopes these changes will create a more accountable and passenger-friendly system, ensuring travelers are better supported during disruptions.

With these proposed rules, the DOT seeks to make airline travel more reliable and fair, setting a new standard for passenger rights in the United States.