Hawaiian Airlines has selected the Boeing 787-9 for its future long-haul fleet. It has signed a letter of intent for ten aircraft and ten additional purchase rights. Contracts are due to be firmed later this year, with deliveries set to begin in 2021.
Hawaiian said the aircraft’s fuel efficiency “makes the 787-9 an ideal choice for long-haul Asia-Pacific and North America routes”. The airline’s President and Chief Executive Officer Peter Ingram said the 787- 9’s 290-seat capacity, greater than the 278 seats on the 24 A330-200s and the 262 seats on its eight Boeing 767-300ERs which currently make up Hawaiian’s widebody fleet, would enable growth in Asian markets.
Hawaiian’s decision means it has switched allegiance from Airbus to Boeing for its widebody fleet. Six A330-800neos it previously ordered have been cancelled and officially removed from the A330neo orders backlog. These were the only orders Airbus has received for the second, yet-to-fly A330neo so their cancellation and Hawaiian opting for the 787-9 adds pressure to Airbus sales teams in their efforts to sell the variant.
