UAL Orders 23 Planes From Boeing

UAL Corp. said it ordered 23 wide-body planes worth up to $3.2 billion from Boeing Co. as part of the airline’s plan to boost capacity. The Chicago-based parent of United Airlines ordered one 747-400, 16 777-200s and six 767-300s for delivery next year and through 2002. The planes, used largely on overseas or transcontinental routes, have an aggregate list price of $2.8 billion to $3.2 billion. United plans to add 68 planes to its 571-plane fleet and increase the number of seats available by 3% a year through 2001. United, Boeing’s largest customer, last month ordered 30 planes from the Seattle company’s rival Airbus Industrie. That order was valued at $1.3 billion to $1.4 billion. On the New York Stock Exchange, UAL shares slipped 6 cents to close at $92.06; Boeing fell 50 cents to close at $53.13.