Pratt & Whitney and United Airlines have marked the delivery of the first aircraft powered by the manufacturer’s GTF Advantage engines, an Airbus A321XLR joining United’s fleet. The GTF Advantage, built around what Pratt & Whitney describes as the most advanced hot section in the single-aisle engine market, is intermixable and interchangeable with the existing GTF model, letting airlines such as United operate combined fleets without added complexity, and the company plans to transition its entire PW1100G-JM production line to the Advantage specification by 2028. “The first delivery of a GTF Advantage-powered aircraft to United Airlines signifies a new chapter in our relationship that spans nearly a century,” said Rick Deurloo, president of Commercial Engines at Pratt & Whitney. “United will be the first to benefit from the world-class efficiency, durability and additional thrust capability of the GTF Advantage engine, which is particularly well-suited to the long-range A321XLR.”

Pratt & Whitney says the new standard delivers up to twice the time on wing of today’s GTF engine along with four to eight percent more takeoff thrust, extending range capability on the A321XLR. Operators already flying the current GTF model will not need to wait for new aircraft to see similar benefits: a GTF Hot Section Plus upgrade, available for incorporation during maintenance visits from early next year, is expected to deliver up to 90 to 95 percent of the GTF Advantage’s durability improvements on in-service PW1100G-JM engines. “We are excited to welcome Pratt & Whitney’s newest GTF engine to our fleet. Pratt & Whitney has been a key supplier for United Airlines throughout our long, shared history, powering multiple United aircraft types,” said Ankit Gupta, United Airlines’ senior vice president and chief air operations officer. “GTF-powered aircraft are helping us reduce fuel burn and improve reliability as we add new destinations around the world for our customers.”