How A $175 Million Engine Dispute Quietly Killed United Airlines' 45-Jet Airbus A350 Order

How A $175 Million Engine Dispute Quietly Killed United Airlines' 45-Jet Airbus A350 Order explains how a contractual dispute involving engines derailed part of United Airlines’ Airbus A350 program. Earlier this year, United removed the A350-900 type from its order book, citing a breach by the engine manufacturer, according to a U.S. SEC 10-K filing. The airline said it is seeking the $175 million prepayment it made, plus additional sums. The engine supplier is Rolls-Royce, which countered that United breached the contract and should make payments to the OEM. The dispute traces back to a 2009 order for 25 A350-900s later adjusted, with a 2017 agreement tied to Rolls-Royce’s Trent XWB-84 engine. United removed 45 A350-900s from its order book in February, while the order remains listed by Airbus.