Marisa Garcia According to a Boeing announcement, ANA has become the world’s largest 787 Dreamliner customer when it finalised a new order for 20 777-9Xs, six 777-300ERs (Extended Range), and 14 787-9 Dreamliners.
The order is valued at approximately $13 billion list prices, and was announced as a commitment this March.
“The aircraft we have selected will enable us to modernise and expand our fleet further as we seek to become one of the world’s leading airline groups,” said Shinichiro Ito, president and CEO, ANA Holdings. “These new aircraft will give us maximum flexibility and improved fuel efficiency, and will allow us to meet the growth in demand, both internationally and in our domestic Japanese market.”
This order brings to 80 the total 787 Dreamliners ANA has ordered. The airline currently flies 29 of those 787s with 51 left to deliver, including 43 787-9s.
The airline took delivery of its first 787-9 Dreamliner yesterday, making it the first airline to fly both 787 variants.
“The 787 Dreamliner is a key element in our growth strategy and we are proud to be the first airline to fly both models of the 787 family,” said Osamu Shinobe, ANA president and CEO. “The new 787-9 will build on the exceptional efficiency of the 787-8 and will allow us to meet growing demand that is anticipated ahead of the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics. Our customers have expressed their pleasure with the comfort of the 787’s innovative cabin features and we are excited to introduce the new 787 variant into our fleet.”
The 787-9 leverages the design of the 787-8, with passenger-experience enhancing features such as large windows, large bins, modern LED lighting, higher humidity, a lower cabin altitude, cleaner air and a smoother ride.
Boeing has told Flight Chic that, in addition to adopting many of these Dreamliner features, there are yet undisclosed new cabin innovations in the 777X which will ratchet the 777X cabin experience up a few notches.
This order from ANA brings the 777X numbers to 300 orders and commitments from six customers worldwide. Six possible exciting interiors configurations for what could prove to be a lovely aircraft. Let’s see how close these airlines will come to Boeing’s vision of the cabin.
