United Airlines Cuts 2019 Growth Plan, Might Seek Compensation From Boeing

The grounding of its Boeing 737 Max jets is causing United Airlines to trim growth plans for this year, and the carrier expects to discuss potential compensation with Boeing.United claims to be managing the grounding relatively well by pressing spare jets into duty and delaying discretionary maintenance work on other planes.That approach, however, comes with extra costs -- sometimes the airline uses bigger and less fuel-efficient two-aisle jets to replace the missing single-aisle Max on domestic routes.United has 14 Max planes in its fleet, and airline executives said Wednesday they don't expect those jets back before July. They said some of the 16 additional Max jets they expected to get this year might be delayed."Obviously there are some costs that we have been incurring and continue to incur," Chief Financial Officer Gerry Laderman said on a call with analysts and reporters. "We'll have a conversation with Boeing and I expect, like we always do, to resolve whatever that conversation is in a way that works for both of us."United declined to give a figure for its extra costs.  Continue reading...