China Southern Airlines gets first Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner from Air Lease Corp

One of the world's leading aircraft leasing firms, Air Lease Corporation has delivered one new Boeing 787-9 aircraft on long-term lease to China Southern Airlines.

This new addition to the China Southern Airlines fleet is the first of five 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft scheduled to be delivered from Air Lease and the aircraft is powered by GEnx-1B76A engines. The remaining aircraft are due by the end of 2020.

The airline's 787 features a classic three-cabin layout with 228 seats spread out between 4 in first class, 24 in business class, and 200 in economy class. The seats in first and business class can all recline 180 degrees to lie flat, while all first-class seats also feature an independent laptop power source, noise-cancelling headphones, a satellite telephone, and a 17-inch LCD HDTV, allowing travellers to enjoy a world of their own that is spacious, private, and quiet. The economy class uses the same seats found in China Southern Airlines' A380 economy class, which have individual 9-inch TVs to enjoy the inflight entertainment system. 

Lufthansa Group makes large order for long-haul aircraft....................and announces sale of six A380 aircraft.

Photo Lufthansa 

The giant European airline group has placed an order for 40 state-of-the-art long-haul aircraft, split between 20 Airbus A350-900 and 20 Boeing 787-9 and also confirms that it will sell off 6 superjumbo Airbus A380's.

The Lufthansa Group is forging ahead with modernisation plans for its long-haul aircraft with the large order for 40 aircraft which have a list price value of some $12 billion.  As is usual with such orders, the Lufthansa Group has negotiated a significant price reduction and the parties have agreed not to disclose the actual purchase price.

'The Global Era' - WestJet gets its first Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner.

The handover of the first 787 for WestJet  Photo Boeing

One of Canada's leading airlines, WestJet has entered into what it calls 'the global era' with the arrival of the carriers first widebody Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner.

The aircraft has been named in honour of the airline's chairman and founder, Clive Beddoe and will be based at the airline's hometown base of Calgary.

"Today's delivery marks a new chapter for WestJet," said Ed Sims, WestJet President and CEO. "Boeing's 787 Dreamliner is one of the most technologically advanced aircraft ever flown and is the perfect platform for our transition to a global network carrier. We look forward to bringing Canadians to the world and the world to Canada in comfort and style."

Etihad Airways to put a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner on Hong Kong route.

The Abu Dhabi based Etihad Airways has confirmed it will introduce a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner on its daily scheduled service from home base Abu Dhabi to Hong Kong. From 31st March 2019 the two-class aircraft will replace the Airbus A330-200 aircraft currently operating the route 

The new 787-9 Dreamliner service to Hong Kong will feature the airline’s next-generation Business and Economy cabins, configured with 299 seats - 28 Business Studios and 271 Economy Smart Seats -  a capacity increase of six seats in Business and 31 in Economy in each direction, and an increase in belly-hold cargo capacity of four tonnes.    

Timetable

Boeing 787 schedule to Hong Kong effective 31 March 2019

Flight	Origin	Departs	Destination	Arrives	Frequency	Aircraft
EY 834	Abu Dhabi	22:05	Hong Kong	10:05	Daily	Boeing 787-9
EY 833	Hong Kong	19:05	Abu Dhabi	23:25	Daily	Boeing 787-9

Notes: All departures and arrivals are listed in local time.

The news of the placement of Boeing 787's on the Hong Kong schedule follows on from the news that the carrier will deploy 787's on the Barcelona route.

Aviation Capital Group to arrange fiance for Turkish Airlines purchase of two 787-9 aircraft

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Aviation Capital Group Announces Mandate to Finance Two Boeing 787-9 Aircraft for Turkish Airlines

 

Aviation Capital Group, a leading aircraft operating lessor, announced this week that it has been mandated by Turkish Airlines to structure, arrange, and provide a guarantee for senior loans to finance a portion of the purchase price of two Boeing 787-9 aircraft. The aircraft are expected to deliver to the carrier in July 2019.

The Turkish Airlines financing mandate was awarded to ACG in connection with ACG’s Aircraft Financing Solutions (“AFS”) program. The AFS program complements ACG’s operating lease business by providing customers with cost-effective aircraft financing. Among operating lessors, ACG believes that it has created a unique aircraft financing program.

“ACG is extremely pleased to have this opportunity to work with Turkish Airlines. The award of a financing mandate from the airline is a notable achievement for our AFS program,” said Bob Roy, managing director of ACG.

“As one of the leading airlines using structured aircraft financing, we are delighted to include the AFS program in our diversified portfolio of different financing types. We look forward to working with ACG in the financing of our two new B787 aircraft with the AFS program which we expect to be a sustainable long-term financing option in our future deliveries,” said Aysegul Denli, Senior Vice President, Finance of Turkish Airlines.

(Photo Turkish Airlines)

Boeing Delivers the 787th 787 Dreamliner

Boeing today delivered the 787th 787 Dreamliner to come off the production line, marking a special milestone for the super-efficient aeroplane the fastest-selling twin-aisle jet in history.

Since its first delivery in September, 2011, the 787 family has flown nearly 300 million passengers on more than 1.5 million flights around the world, including more than 210 new nonstop routes made possible by the aeroplane's superior fuel efficiency and range.

"Reaching this milestone delivery is a testament to our amazing Boeing team who build the world's most capable and reliable airplanes," said Kevin McAllister, president & chief executive officer for Boeing Commercial Aeroplanes. "This delivery also reflects the special capabilities of the 787 Dreamliner. The growing fleet continues to deliver unmatched efficiency, open new routes, and provide an exceptional passenger experience."

AerCap, world's largest aeroplane lessor, adds to its growing 787 portfolio

Special milestone aeroplane to be operated by China Southern Airlines

United Airlines announces large international route expansion from San Francisco

Photo United Airlines

United Airlines announced this week its largest ever international network expansion from its hub at San Francisco International Airport. The airline confirmed it will offer Bay Area customers nonstop year-round service to Toronto and Melbourne, Australia and seasonal service to New Delhi. United also announced it will begin a second daily flight between San Francisco and Seoul, South Korea. All routes subject to government approvals. In addition to the new routes, in 2019, United will begin new year-round nonstop service between San Francisco and Auckland, New Zealand, Tahiti, French Polynesia and Amsterdam.

"This route expansion solidifies United's position at San Francisco as the gateway airline serving destinations across the Pacific, the continental United States, as well as to Europe and beyond," said Oscar Munoz, United's CEO. "It serves as a fitting capstone to all our efforts that made 2018 a breakthrough year for United, from delivering strong financial performance to currently leading in on-time departures for the second year in a row."

"San Francisco continues to be a cultural and economic hub for the world," said U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein. "These new routes will expand international travel to and from San Francisco International Airport, helping us forge stronger connections between our city and other major destinations around the globe."

Since 2013, United Airlines has added 12 new international destinations from San Francisco. With these new flights, United will serve 29 international destinations from San Francisco, including eight cities in Europe, India, and the Middle East, seven in North America, and 14 in Asia and Oceania. United, the largest airline at San Francisco International Airport, operates more than 300 daily flights.

Photo United Airlines

"This is great news for all of our customers and employees in the Bay Area, and a sign that United is deeply committed to growing San Francisco and adding unique and exciting destinations across the globe," said Janet Lamkin, United's President of California.

United has been a Bay Area company for 90 years and employs 14,000 people in the region, including 2,500 industrial jobs at its maintenance base, which recently celebrated its 70th anniversary of operation. United continues to invest in the airport, this year opening the 28,000-square foot Polaris lounge near Gate G92 in International Terminal G.

First 787-9 Dreamliner for Royal Air Maroc

The US planemaker Boeing delivered the first 787-9 Dreamliner for Royal Air Maroc today introducing a second member of the super-efficient Dreamliner family to the airline's fleet. The new aeroplane offers more seats and more range, which will help Morocco's flag carrier grow its international business. 

"We are particularly pleased to receive today our airline's first 787-9, which will soon be joined by three other models from the same family. The choice of this aeroplane forms part of our strategy to continuously expand and modernize our fleet and comes just a few days after the announcement of the invitation made to Royal Air Maroc to join the highly prestigious Oneworld Alliance. This will further strengthen our country's and Royal Air Maroc's leadership position on the continent," says Abdelhamid Addou, CEO and Chairman of Royal Air Maroc.

In 2015, Royal Air Maroc was the first in the Mediterranean to fly the 787-8, the initial Dreamliner that offered 20% less fuel and fewer emissions. With the airplane's exceptional fuel efficiency and performance, Royal Air Maroc planned new, non-stop routes such as Casablanca to Washington, D.C and to Miami.

Hainan Airlines to launch Chongqing-Shanghai-Boston and Chongqing-Shanghai-Seattle service in December

One of the fastest growing airlines from China, Hainan Airlines recently announced it will be launching two new services between  Chongqing-Shanghai-Boston and Chongqing-Shanghai-Seattle as part of the carriers ongoing global expansion programme.

The two routes will start on December 11th and 12th respectively and will be operated on luxury wide-body Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners. These aircraft are fitted out with the airlines spacious and comfortable cabins that feature reverse herringbone seating in business class, complete with BOSE noise reduction headphones and Bulgari toiletries. Every passenger can enjoy the exclusive on-demand entertainment system and of course, in typical Hainan style, every passenger will be served sumptuous offerings from both Western and Oriental cuisines.

First 787-9 Dreamliner to Juneyao Airlines

US planemaker Boeing has delivered the first 787-9 Dreamliner for Shanghai-based Juneyao Airlines. "This delivery is our airline's biggest milestone and marks a big step toward expanding our network in China and beyond," said Wang Junjin, Chairman, Juneyao Airlines. "As the market-leading widebody model, the 787-9 Dreamliner will play a key role in our global business growth."

Juneyao Airlines had previously been an all-Airbus operator before Boeing pursued the company aggressively to supply long-haul aircraft for Juneyao's international route network expansion plans. Currently the airline offers flights from Shanghai to more than 50 cities across China as well as a few regional routes.  

Long-range 787-9 Dreamliner will enable the carrier to

expand its international network

"We are delighted to welcome Juneyao to the growing 787 Dreamliner family. We are confident that the Dreamliner's fuel efficiency, range and passenger-pleasing features will power the next stage of Juneyao Airlines' expansion," said Ihssane Mounir, senior vice president of Commercial Sales & Marketing at The Boeing Company. "This delivery marks the first of 10 787-9 Dreamliners for Juneyao and their emergence as an international carrier."

To ensure a smooth introduction of the Dreamliner, Juneyao Airlines will use Boeing Global Services' pilot training. The airline will also employ electronic flight bag in the flight deck to improve operational efficiency. On other aircraft, Juneyao uses Boeing's tailored charting services and flight planning solutions.

Air Tahiti Nui gest first 787-9 Dreamliner

The impressive South Pacific airline, Air Tahiti Nui has received its first Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner from Boeing, via a special lease deal with Air Lease Corp. 

The airline will use the longest-range Dreamliner to replace its older Airbus A340s connecting its home base in the South Pacific with world capitals such as Paris, Tokyo and Los Angeles. The carrier has configured the new fleet arrival with 294 seats spread over three classes. The cabin features a new business class equipped with 30 fully lie-flat seats, along with 32 premium economy seats.

Tahitian airline to fly longest-range 787 from

the South Pacific to Europe, Asia

"Our dream has finally become reality with the arrival of Air Tahiti Nui's first 787-9 Dreamliner," said Michel Monvoisin, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of Air Tahiti Nui. "The Tahitian Dreamliner will make flying to one of the world's treasures an unforgettable experience, as we introduce new seats and a culturally inspired cabin on the 787. As we celebrate our 20th anniversary this year, the 787 Dreamliner will guide us toward another successful 20 years and beyond."

Vienna calling...................more time for Waltzing and swirls as Air Canada launches new route from Toronto

Vienna calling...... The leading international Canadian carrier, Air Canada have confirmed this week that they will be introducing a new year-round service between Toronto and Vienna from 29th April next year.

The airline says it will operate Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners on the route which featuring Signature Class, Premium Economy and Economy cabins. During the winter season, from November until March, flights will operate five days a week, outside those months there service will operate on a daily basis. This service is offered in partnership with Star Alliance joint venture partner Austrian Airlines complementing their Montreal-Vienna flights also beginning in April 2019.

Year-round non-stop flights to with Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners

Star Alliance joint venture partner Austrian Airlines

to begin Montreal-Vienna service in April 2019

EVA Air, Boeing and Air Lease Corp celebrate the airlines first 787-9 Dreamliner

The US giant plane maker Boeing, together with Air Lease Corp and EVA Air are celebrating today the delivery of the airline's first 787-9 Dreamliner, via lease from ALC, at Boeing's South Carolina Delivery Center. 

The Taiwan based airline, EVA Air plans to debut the long-range aircraft on international routes from November. "This milestone delivery marks the beginning of a new era for EVA Air as we continue to revolutionise Taiwan's dynamic commercial aviation industry," said Steve Lin, Chairman of EVA Air. "The 787 Dreamliner's extraordinary efficiency and passenger-pleasing cabin features will further elevate EVA Air's position as a five-star global airline. We are excited to introduce the 787 into our fleet and they will play an integral role in our success going forward."

Today's delivery marks the first of 24 Dreamliners for the Taipei-based carrier, who first announced an order for the type in 2015.  "ALC is pleased to deliver this historic first Boeing 787-9 to EVA Air and further our strong relationship with a world-class airline," said Steven Udvar-Házy, Executive Chairman of Air Lease Corporation. "As the first airline in Taiwan to operate a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, EVA Air will continue to excel as a leading international airline with the most technologically advanced and fuel-efficient fleet."

EVA Air is first in Taiwan to fly the 787

More Dreamliners for United

United Airlines announced on Monday that it had ordered another 9 Boeing 787-9 aircraft in a deal worth $2.53 billion according to list prices or $1.95 billion at real prices.

United Airlines says the order forms part of its fleet strategy of replacing older widebody jets with new, advanced aircraft which can fly farther for less. In total, The U.S. airline has ordered 64 examples of Boeing's Dreamliner family of aircraft.

The airline started operating the Dreamliner in 2012, and later this year is all set to take delivery of the largest member of the Dreamliner family, the 787-10, which can seat up to 330 passengers in a standard configuration. While the aeroplane is capable of flying long distances with a range of 6,430 nautical miles, United today announced plans to debut its first 787-10 on premium transcontinental routes in the U.S., boosting its coast-to-coast schedules to offer passengers travelling between New York/Newark and Los Angeles and San Francisco more flights and more premium seats.

(Photos Boeing / United)

Inside the new look EVA Air Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner.

Last week EVA Air announced its first Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner would be delivered at a special ceremony located at Boeing's South Carolina centre in Charleston on 2nd October.  However, the carrier gave us all a little sneak preview of the event by showing us inside the new aircraft that has room for 304 passengers.

“The introduction of Boeing 787 Dreamliners is essential to our continuous pursuit of service excellence,” said EVA President Clay Sun. “We have adopted a more modern, globalized design concept and combined it with Boeing’s latest aviation technologies to create a luxurious cabin environment and provide all our passengers with an even more comfortable flying experience.”

The airline has configured the aircraft to accommodate 26 passengers in its Royal Laurel Class, a true business product and 278 in economy class.  The carrier chose Designworks, a BMW Group company, to synchronize the airline’s international brand image and the Dreamliner’s unique craftsmanship into the design of this latest generation of Royal Laurel Class seats. The design team stepped away from conventional aircraft design and used core concepts of space and brand to create tailor-made business class seats seamlessly integrated into a bespoke cabin environment. The team used mature, muted colours to enhance the feeling of a comfortable, spacious environment.

First 787 Dreamliner for Shanghai Airlines

Boeing and Shanghai Airlines celebrated the delivery of the carrier's first 787-9 Dreamliner today, the airline says it plans to use the aircraft on its regional and long-range service from its base in China's largest city.

The new aeroplane, with a special symbol of "100" on its fuselage, is the 100th aeroplane for Shanghai Airlines, a subsidiary of China Eastern Airlines. "We are so excited to take delivery of the very first Dreamliner for Shanghai Airlines, as well as China Eastern Group," said Li Yangmin, vice president of China Eastern Group. "With the introduction of these new aeroplanes, China Eastern Group will also officially launch the global leading new generation Passenger Service System.  We are confident that all these efforts will help us significantly upgrade our services and we know our passengers will love it."

Norwegian is the most fuel-efficient airline on transatlantic routes and British Airways is the worst

A new white paper report from The International Council on Clean Transportation analysing the fuel efficiency of the 20 leading airlines on routes between Europe and the United States during 2017 has been released today.

According to the study, the long-haul low-cost airline Norwegian was the most-fuel efficient carrier across the Atlantic on sample routes from New York to London, Los Angeles to London and New York to Paris. In fact, on the New York to London route, Norwegian’s competition including Virgin Atlantic, American, Delta, United and British Airways burned 33% to 78% more fuel per passenger-km. The results show that British Airways, which ranked last in the results, burned a staggering 63% more fuel per passenger kilometre than Norwegian, a marked increase since the last assessment in 2014. Additionally, Norwegian has reduced its per passenger emissions by 30% since 2008, thanks to its investment in new aircraft.

The report also showed Norwegian, on average, achieved 44 passenger kilometres (pax-km/L), which is 33% higher than the industry average - soaring past 19 of its competitors. Norwegian, flies one of the youngest fleets in the world, comprised of Boeing 787 Dreamliners, 737-800s and 737-MAXs.

Read on for more details including the reports airline comparisons.

Qantas Dreamliner flights from Brisbane start.....

The Australian airline Qantas launches its first international Boeing 787 Dreamliner flights from Queensland this weekend with a daily service to Los Angeles and onwards to New York from Brisbane.

The airlines says that four of the national carrier’s 787-9s are going to be based at Brisbane Airport, the service to Hong Kong is scheduled to start in December, with other destinations to follow in due course.  Qantas Group CEO, Alan Joyce, basing the Dreamliners at Brisbane would bring new jobs to the airport, “We’ll have 120 cabin crew and pilots based in Brisbane to operate the Dreamliner flights and a further 350 indirect jobs are expected to be created as a result,” he said.

Tulip arrives at her new home base........13th Dreamliner for KLM

The 13th Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner arrived at Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport for KLM Royal Dutch Airlines today, and she's got the name of Tulip!

Tulip, registration PH-BHP arrived from planemaker Boeing's Seattle plant this morning and was welcomed to its new home base by staff and spotters.  KLM’s Dreamliners are all named after flowers or flowering plants, which are a very popular a typical Dutch export which fits perfectly with the airline. Some of the 787s in KLM's fleet carry names such as Orchid, Sunflower, Carnation, Lavender and Marguerite. The 13th Dreamliner is called tulip, which is perhaps the most famous flower export of The Netherlands. 

Tulip is the third Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner to arrive on Dutch soil,  so far in 2018 with two others arriving in January and April.  The latest Dreamliner is the last Boeing 787-9 to arrive for the time being. Expectations are that in June 2019, KLM will take delivery of its first Boeing 787-10. The Dutch airline has already added seven new Embraers to its fleet as part of its fleet renewal programme and to support its regional expansion plans. 

Two undisclosed airlines agree to buy 787-9 Dreamliners according to Boeing......

Boeing says two undisclosed airlines have reached agreements to buy a total of 15 787-9 Dreamliners valued at $4.2 billion per current list prices, on Thursday at the 2018 Farnborough International Airshow.

One of the airlines would become a new 787 customer. The second airline is adding more 787s to their Dreamliner fleet.  Both  'commitments' will be reflected on Boeing's Orders and Deliveries website once when and if they are finalized.

"This is the Dreamliner effect. New airline customers are drawn to the potential for greater fuel efficiency and range and super passenger amenities, while existing customers have experienced all of these advantages first hand and want to grow their fleet with more 787 Dreamliners," said Ihssane Mounir, senior vice president of Commercial Sales and Marketing for The Boeing Company. "The strong market preference for the 787 is securing its status as the fastest-selling widebody aeroplane in history."

Hawaiian Airlines finalised its order yesterday for 10 787-9 Dreamliners, included purchase rights for 10 additional 787s although the deal was effectively completed back in March after a vast discount had been applied by Boeing to woe the airline away from Airbus aircraft. 

"The Dreamliner's operational performance and passenger-friendly cabin makes it an ideal aircraft to serve as our flagship aircraft of the future," said Peter Ingram, president and chief executive officer of Hawaiian Airlines, following a script written for him by Boeing.