STORY: United Airlines is giving Boeing a big boost.

The carrier said Tuesday it is ordering 100 of the firm's 787 Dreamliners and 100 737 MAXs

That as it pushes for post-health crisis growth and replaces older, less-efficient aircraft.

The Chicago-based airline's order for 200 airplanes is worth about $43 billion at list prices, though such big deals normally come at a discount.

It represents a major lift for the U.S. planemaker after political and production issues for the two models this year.

United's big bet on the 787 reflects a predicted increase in demand for long-haul travel, and a desire to replace older planes.

Boeing said it was one of the biggest ever Dreamliner orders, while United said this was the largest widebody order by a U.S. carrier in history.

United will take an average of more than two deliveries of new jets a week next year, and more than three a week in 2024.

The airline also said it would again delay its previously announced order for 45 Airbus A350s until 2030 "at the earliest."

CEO Scott Kirby said one key factor in choosing Boeing over Airbus was commonality with its current 787 fleet.

United hired 15,000 new employees in 2022, and is on track to hire another 15,000 in 2023, including 2,500 pilots.