Hawaiian Airlines Welcomes First Boeing 787-9 to Its Fleet
Hawaiian Airlines celebrated a significant fleet milestone with the delivery of its first Boeing 787-9, marking the beginning of a new era for the airline. The aircraft, registered as N781HA (msn 66429), completed its journey from Charleston International to Honolulu on February 14, signifying the carrier’s commitment to enhancing its long-haul service offerings.
A second Boeing 787-9, registered as N780HA (msn 66428), is also poised for delivery soon, having been last spotted at Victorville on January 19, as per Flightradar24 ADS-B data. Hawaiian Airlines is in the process of finalizing financing arrangements for this aircraft, with Chief Financial Officer Shannon Okinaka discussing the financial strategy during the airline’s fourth-quarter investors’ call for 2023.
The airline’s order book includes twelve Boeing 787-9s, with nine directly from Boeing and three through leasing arrangements with Boeing Capital. The delivery of N781HA was facilitated through a finance deal with Jackson Square Aviation. Hawaiian Airlines is exploring financing options to fulfill its capital commitments for the remaining aircraft in the firm order, indicating a strategic approach to fleet expansion and modernization.
Hawaiian Airlines has also secured purchase rights for an additional eight Boeing 787-9 airframes, demonstrating its confidence in the model’s capabilities and its potential impact on the airline’s operational efficiency and passenger experience. The delivery schedule for the twelve confirmed orders spans from 2024 to 2027, with three aircraft expected to join the fleet within this year.
The introduction of the Boeing 787-9 into Hawaiian Airlines’ operations is set for April 15, 2024, with the inaugural flight planned from Honolulu to San Francisco. Subsequent routes include services from Honolulu and Kahului to Los Angeles International, starting in May. The aircraft boasts a 300-seat configuration across three classes, offering passengers enhanced comfort and amenities on long-haul flights.
Hawaiian Airlines’ current fleet composition, as detailed in the ch-aviation fleets module, includes a diverse mix of aircraft tailored to its operational needs, comprising eighteen Airbus A321-200Ns, twenty-four Airbus A330-200s (which the new Boeing 787s will eventually replace), one A330-200(P2F), nineteen Boeing 717-200s, and the newly delivered Boeing 787-9.
The arrival of the Boeing 787-9 represents a strategic investment in Hawaiian Airlines’ future, promising to elevate the airline’s service standards and operational capabilities on international routes.