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United Airlines has been expanding its fleet with the addition of Airbus A321neo aircraft. The airline now possesses 25 of these next-generation models, and recently one was observed on a flight to Hawaii. This could potentially be a proving flight for future routes using this type of aircraft.
The introduction of the A321neo is part of United's strategy to modernize its fleet with more efficient and environmentally friendly planes. The first A321neos joined the fleet in December 2023, and since then, 25 have been delivered.
Flight tracking data from Flightradar24 revealed that a model registered as N14506 flew from California to Hawaii on a non-commercial flight. This aircraft had previously been grounded due to an issue with elevated VHF radio static. The plane's journey suggests it might be undergoing Extended Range Twin-engine Operational Performance Standards (ETOPS) testing. ETOPS certification is crucial for planes operating over-water corridors or other long-distance routes without immediate access to diversion airports.
