RTX's Pratt & Whitney marks delivery of first GTF Advantage-powered aircraft to United Airlines

Pratt & Whitney expects longer time on wing and 4-8% more takeoff thrust than today's GTF engine.

Rhea-AI Summary

RTX (RTX) and United Airlines marked the September 24, 2026 delivery of the first GTF Advantage-powered aircraft, an Airbus A321XLR, to United. The aircraft uses engines from RTX's Pratt & Whitney business.

Pratt & Whitney expects the engine to remain on an aircraft for up to twice as long before removal as today's GTF engine and to provide 4-8% more takeoff thrust. It is interchangeable with today's GTF model. Pratt & Whitney plans to transition its entire PW1100G-JM production line to the Advantage specification by 2028. Its GTF Hot Section Plus upgrade is expected to become available during maintenance visits early next year.

Key Figures

Time on wing: Up to 2× Takeoff thrust increase: 4–8% Production-line transition: By 2028 +1 more

Time on wing

Up to 2×

GTF Advantage compared with today's GTF engine

Takeoff thrust increase

4–8%

GTF Advantage engine

Production-line transition

By 2028

Entire PW1100G-JM production line to the Advantage specification

Durability benefits from HS+ upgrade

Up to 90–95%

Compared with GTF Advantage durability benefits; available for incorporation during maintenance visits early next year

Key Terms

time on wing

1 terms

time on wing technical

"up to twice the time on wing compared to today's GTF engine"

Time on wing is the amount of service time an aircraft engine or component has accumulated since it was last installed or last underwent major maintenance. Like the miles on a car since its last tune-up, it signals how close equipment is to routine service, overhaul, or replacement; investors use it to gauge upcoming maintenance costs, likelihood of downtime, and residual value, which can affect airline expenses and manufacturers’ or maintenance providers’ revenue forecasts.

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Latest engine standard offers enhanced durability, increased range

EAST HARTFORD, Conn., Sept. 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- United Airlines and Pratt & Whitney today marked the delivery of the first aircraft powered by Pratt & Whitney GTF Advantage™ engines, an Airbus A321XLR, to United. Pratt & Whitney is an RTX (NYSE: RTX) business.

"The first delivery of a GTF Advantage-powered aircraft to United Airlines signifies a new chapter in our relationship that spans nearly a century," said Rick Deurloo, president, Commercial Engines, Pratt & Whitney. "United will be the first to benefit from the world-class efficiency, durability and additional thrust capability of the GTF Advantage engine, which is particularly well-suited to the long-range A321XLR."

"We are excited to welcome Pratt & Whitney's newest GTF engine to our fleet. Pratt & Whitney has been a key supplier for United Airlines throughout our long, shared history, powering multiple United aircraft types," said Ankit Gupta, United Airlines Senior Vice President and Chief Air Operations Officer. "GTF-powered aircraft are helping us reduce fuel burn and improve reliability as we add new destinations around the world for our customers."

The GTF Advantage features the most state-of-the-art hot section in the single-aisle market. It will deliver up to twice the time on wing compared to today's GTF engine, along with 4-8% more takeoff thrust, enabling longer range capability. GTF Advantage is fully intermixable and interchangeable with today's GTF engine model, simplifying operations for airlines like United that maintain combined fleets. Pratt & Whitney will transition its entire PW1100G-JM production line to the Advantage specification by 2028. 

Customers operating the current GTF engine model will have the opportunity to realize up to 90-95% of the GTF Advantage's durability benefits with the GTF Hot Section Plus (HS+) upgrade option for the PW1100G-JM engine, which will be available for incorporation during maintenance visits early next year.

About Pratt & Whitney
Pratt & Whitney, an RTX business, is a world leader in the design, manufacture and service of aircraft engines and auxiliary power units for military, commercial and civil aviation customers. Since 1925, our engineers have pioneered the development of revolutionary aircraft propulsion technologies, and today we support more than 90,000 in-service engines through our global network of maintenance, repair and overhaul facilities.

About RTX
With more than 180,000 global employees, RTX pushes the limits of technology and science to redefine how we connect and protect our world. With industry-leading capabilities, we advance aviation, engineer integrated defense systems for operational success, and develop next-generation technology solutions and manufacturing to help global customers address their most critical challenges. The company, with 2025 sales of more than $88 billion, is headquartered in Arlington, Virginia.

For questions or to schedule an interview, please contact corporatepr@rtx.com.

 

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/rtxs-pratt--whitney-marks-delivery-of-first-gtf-advantage-powered-aircraft-to-united-airlines-302887816.html

SOURCE RTX

FAQ

AI-generated questions and answers. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

What was the first GTF Advantage-powered aircraft delivered to United Airlines?

It was an Airbus A321XLR, delivered to United on September 24, 2026.

What does Pratt & Whitney's GTF Hot Section Plus upgrade offer current GTF operators?

Pratt & Whitney said the upgrade could provide up to 90-95% of the GTF Advantage's durability benefits to customers operating the current GTF engine model. The option is for the PW1100G-JM engine and is expected to be available during maintenance visits early next year.