Farnborough Air Show, United Continental Holdings, parent company of United Airlines, today announced a firm order for 100 advanced LEAP-1B-powered Boeing 737 MAX airplanes. Additionally, the airline ordered 50 additional CFM56-7B-powered Boeing Next-Generation 737-900ER aircraft. The combined value of the engine order, together with a long-term service agreement, is approximately US$5.0 billion  at list price.

United signed a rate per flight hour (RPFH) agreement with CFM International (CFM) to support all 200 LEAP-1B engines the airline ordered to power its new Boeing 737 MAX aircraft. Under the terms of the comprehensive 12-year service and support agreement, CFM will guarantee engine maintenance costs on a dollar per engine flight hour basis.

United is a long-time CFM customer and operates a fleet of more than 225 CFM56-powered Boeing 737 Classic and Next-Generation aircraft.

David Joyce, GE Aviation’s president and chief executive officer company said. “We are thrilled that United Airlines has entrusted its future single-aisle fleet to the new LEAP engine.

“This order brings the third generation of CFM-powered 737s to the United fleet and launches an exciting new era in our long relationship.”

The LEAP-1B, which is the result of an six-year collaboration effort with Boeing, is the exclusive powerplant for the new 737 variant, with the engine optimized for the aircraft. The 737 MAX continues a 30-year relationship between CFM and Boeing; CFM engines have been the sole powerplant for all 737 aircraft sold since 1981.