United Airlines Selects Honeywell’s 131-9A Auxiliary Power Units for New Airbus Fleet

United Airlines has selected Honeywell’s 131-9A auxiliary power units (APUs) to equip 120 of its scheduled deliveries of Airbus NEO and XLR aircraft. These APUs are designed to provide exemplary operational performance, low maintenance cost and considerable fuel savings.

Honeywell has also released a High Efficiency Mode (HEM) upgrade for its 131-9A APU for single-aisle Airbus aircraft. HEM meets the aviation industry’s need for more power on the aircraft, greater fuel efficiency and a smaller environmental footprint. Larger operators may realize estimated savings of up to 15 percent in terms of cost for spares due to longer time-on-wing.

"We have a longstanding and trusted relationship with United Airlines and this new APU agreement is a testament to the superior technology that Honeywell is able to offer to the industry,” said Brian Davis, vice president, Airlines, Americas, Honeywell Aerospace. "The HEM-upgraded 131-9A APUs are able to offer fuel efficiency improvements that can amount to as much as $11,000 in fuel savings per year, per aircraft depending on operating conditions. United will benefit from reduced overall maintenance costs and lower spares requirements because of longer time-on-wing.”

The Honeywell 131-9A APU provides the air source to start an aircraft’s main engines as well as electrical power and air conditioning while the plane is on the ground, ensuring maximum passenger comfort. The 131-9A is known for its reliability and low maintenance costs over the course of its entire life cycle, resulting in significant fuel savings each year.