United, Boeing announce $14.7 bln plane deal

United Airlines announced a monster order of 150 aircraft from Boeing on Thursday, a deal which the planemaker said was worth about $14.7 billion. United ordered the Boeing 737 aircraft, the world's best-selling passenger plane. The deal will see planes delivered until 2022. "United and Boeing share a rich history together and we are delighted United has chosen the 737 for its future fleet, renewing our partnership for decades to come," said Ray Conner, chief executive of Boeing Commercial Airplanes. United's president and CEO Jeff Smisek said customers could now expect more "modern features" while the firm would benefit from greater fuel efficiency. The deal comes after Boeing's European rival Airbus announced Thursday orders worth around $6.35 billion.