United Doubles Down on GE’s GEnx for 787 Fleet

‍DALLAS — United Airlines (UA) has chosen General Electric’s (GE) GEnx engines for its new Boeing 787 Dreamliners. The airline has ordered 300 engines, including additional spares, which will expand its fleet to more than 200 GEnx-powered 787s. According to planespotters.net, UA currently has 81 Boeing 787 Dreamliners in its fleet.

Like most wide-body aircraft, the Boeing 787 gives airlines a choice between two engines: GE’s GEnx and Rolls-Royce’s Trent 1000.

Early on, the Trent 1000 had durability problems, including premature blade cracks, which temporarily took several planes out of service. Those issues have been mostly resolved with redesigned parts and improved maintenance routines. Because of those early challenges, many airlines have opted for GE’s GEnx on their new 787s.

Today, both engines are in use, with the GEnx known for its reliability and predictable performance, while Trent 1000-powered planes continue to operate safely under updated inspection schedules.

The GEnx Engine

GE’s GEnx engine first entered service in 2011 and has become a key engine for modern wide-body jets, powering the Boeing 787 Dreamliner and the Boeing 747‑8. Airlines appreciate it for several big advantages: lower fuel consumption, reduced emissions, and strong reliability.

The GEnx uses advanced composite fan blades and cases, a high-efficiency engine core, and lightweight titanium aluminide turbine blades, all of which help reduce weight and boost efficiency. Its bleedless design, combined with the 787’s more-electric systems, makes the plane simpler to maintain and more efficient in flight.