Boeing Delivers Final 787-9 Dreamliner to Qantas
Boeing, the renowned aircraft manufacturer, has successfully delivered the last 787-9 Dreamliner to Qantas, Australia’s leading airline. The newly acquired aircraft, registered as VH-ZNN and affectionately named “Snowy River,” touched down at Melbourne Airport (MEL) on July 21, 2023. Its journey began earlier that day, departing from Seattle Paine Field International Airport (formerly known as Everett Paine Field – PAE) as recorded by flightradar24.com data.
Qantas currently boasts a fleet of 14 Boeing 787-9 aircraft, with no remaining unfilled orders according to Boeing’s Orders & Deliveries data. In contrast, Airbus still has to deliver 29 Airbus A220, 45 A320neo, 76 A321neo (eight already delivered), and 12 A350-1000 to the airline. Notably, some of the A321neos will be operated by Qantas’ low-cost subsidiary, Jetstar.
The journey of Qantas’ Dreamliner acquisition stretches back to March 2006, when the airline placed an order for 27 787-8 and 18 787-9 aircraft. Subsequently, in November 2007, Qantas added 20 more 787-9s to their order. In October 2015 and May 2018, the airline placed additional orders for five and six 787-9s, respectively, as per Boeing’s Orders & Deliveries filings up to June 30, 2023.
The COVID-19 pandemic posed significant challenges, leading to Qantas suspending deliveries of all aircraft. Consequently, it is only now that Boeing has fulfilled the 14-unit order. The last new aircraft received by Qantas before the pandemic was on December 19, 2019. However, the planemaker resumed delivering new airframes to the airline on April 29, 2023, as per data from planespotters.net.
Jetstar, the low-cost subsidiary of the Qantas Group, had previously received 11 Boeing 787-8s between September 2013 and September 2015.
The latest 787-9 model made its maiden flight on November 11, 2020, according to data from ch-aviation.com.
During Qantas’ Investor Day on May 5, 2023, the airline emphasized the Boeing 787-9’s significance in facilitating point-to-point routes, which has enabled the company to achieve profitability on routes to London Heathrow Airport (LHR). Qantas considers the Dreamliner a game-changer for long-haul operations, offering the advantage of smaller gauge, lower risk, and the capability to service smaller markets.
In the future, Qantas anticipates Airbus delivering the A350-1000s dedicated to their ultra-long-haul Project Sunrise flights. The delivery timeline is projected to be between FY2026 (commencing on July 1, 2025) and FY2028 (ending on June 31, 2028). The ambitious Project Sunrise aims to connect Sydney, Australia, with London, United Kingdom, and New York, United States.