AIRLINES

United Expected to Place Multibillion-Dollar Boeing Order: The order could be announced as soon as today, sources said. Analysts said the order is expected to be for Boeing 747s and 777s and may also include smaller 737s; the order may be valued at more than $3 billion. Neither Chicago-based United Airlines Inc. nor Seattle-based Boeing Co. would comment. United has said it plans to buy 97 aircraft in the next five years, replacing 93 aging planes and expanding its fleet by four. It was originally reported in May that United was about to place an order, but that report was not confirmed by either company. Paul Nisbet, an analyst at JSA Research Inc., said he thinks the order announcement could boost Boeing’s share price by as much as $3. Boeing shares on Tuesday fell 75 cents to $90.25; shares of UAL Corp., United’s parent company, fell 62.5 cents to $51.125. Both trade on the New York Stock Exchange.