United mulls getting Embraer, Bombardier jets

Chicago

UNITED Airlines is in talks with Embraer SA and Bombardier Inc to buy new narrow-body planes amid a fleet makeover to reduce its reliance on unprofitable regional jets, sources said. The discussions involve the largest models in Embraer's updated E-Jets family and Bombardier's smallest CSeries, they said. An order isn't imminent, the sources said.

An Embraer or Bombardier purchase would be a departure for United, whose pilots only fly Boeing Co and Airbus Group aircraft on its main jet routes. The jets under consideration would fill a gap between United's narrow-bodies, most of which seat more than 150 people, and commuter planes carrying a maximum 76 people.