United Airlines Expands Fleet with Latest Boeing 737 MAX 9 Acquisition

United Airlines has agreed a purchase and leaseback deal with SMBC Aviation Capital over 20 Boeing 737 MAX 9s, set to arrive by the end of 2026. This latest agreement follows previous deals covering Airbus A321neo and Boeing 737 MAX 8 jets. According to AeroTime, United’s Chief Financial Officer Michael Leskinen praised the ’thoughtful approach’ SMBC Aviation Capital brought to structuring the transaction. Barry Flannery, Chief Commercial Officer at SMBC Aviation Capital, expressed his company’s delight in expanding its relationship with United Airlines.