Major Boeing order, new Boom engine developer, new SpaceX valuation
United Airlines places 200 count order with Boeing
United Airlines ($UAL) announced this morning that it is placing an order for 100 Boeing ($BA) 787 wide-body jets, along with another 100 737 MAX narrow-body jets. Worth $43 billion at list prices, the order represents a major boost for the manufacturer after several years of regulatory and production difficulties.
The 737 MAX order includes exercising options to purchase 44 737 MAX aircraft, to be delivered between 2024 and 2026. United is ordering the other 56 with expected delivery between 2027 and 2028, bringing its total number of MAX aircraft on order to 443.
At the same time, United said it is now delaying its recently announced order for 45 Airbus A350s until at least 2030, which will then serve to begin replacing the majority of the airline's 777 fleet.
Boom Supersonic announces new engine developer
Boom Supersonic, which intends to launch the first commercially-operated supersonic passenger airliner since the Concord, announced it has secured Florida Turbine Technologies to develop its engines. The announcement comes about three months following Rolls Royce's withdrawal from the project.
The new supersonic engines will be branded as "Symphony." Boom claims Symphony engines will make possible an "economically and environmentally sustainable supersonic airplane."
Florida Turbine Technologies is primarily known today for making small engines for drones and cruise missiles, although engineers with the company have been involved with design of the F-119 and F-135 supersonic engines that power the Lockheed Martin-built ($LMT) F-22 and F-35.
Other new partnerships for Boom include General Electric ($GE), whose GE Additive division will provide design consulting related to additive technology, and StandardAero for maintenance.
SpaceX valued higher than Lockheed Martin
SpaceX is raising funds at a $140 billion valuation, $3 billion higher than Lockheed Martin's $137 billion valuation. This $140 billion figure is an increase from a recent valuation mark of around $125 billion. According to this valuation, SpaceX is now the third most valuable western aerospace and defense company, behind Raytheon ($RTX) and Boeing ($BA).
Lockheed ($LMT), Northrop Grumman ($NOC), and Airbus hold the fourth, fifth, and sixth spots, respectively. Several Chinese companies, including China State Shipbuilding Corp and China North Industries likely would figure among these top slots as well, but their financials are less clear.
Lockheed's 2022 sales are expected to bring in $65 billion in revenue. SpaceX is privately held, so sales figures are not publicly disclosed, although analysts believe the company is not likely generating free cash flow, which is expected to come once it has more Starlink subscribers.
New Zealand fuel shortage causes first airliner diversion
New Zealand's jet fuel shortage following a contaminated imported delivery has led to fuel rationing among airlines refueling in Auckland. American Airlines ($AAL) service from Auckland to Dallas will now include a diversion to Christchurch for fueling.
Airbus predicts higher corporate bizav useage next year
An Airbus survey of senior US-based executives at companies with annual revenues higher than $500 million showed that 89% expect their companies will increase their reliance on corporate jets next year.
Devon May named American Airlines' new CFO
Following current American Airlines ($AAL) CFO Derek Kerr's planned departure at the end of this year, the company has announced Devon May will step into the role. May is currently the company's senior vice president of Finance and Investor Relations, and will assume the role on January 1.