We’ll be waiting far longer than expected for Hawaiian Airlines’ Dreamliner fleet, that was scheduled to begin arriving here in the islands this year, and was then postponed to 2023. But now we have a further update and timing doesn’t seem to be good, much like buying most anything nowadays. We could now be talking 2024 or 2025.
Hawaiian has a firm order for 10 of the advanced aircraft equipped with flatbeds. It also has purchase rights for 10 additional planes. The problem is that there is now a backlog of nearly 600 unbuilt or undeliverable Dreamliners currently in the pipeline. And 10 planes bound for Hawaiian aren’t the highest priority.
Earlier this year, HA CEO Peter Ingram said “Our two 787s that were scheduled to be delivered in 2022 are delayed and we now expect to receive them no earlier than the first half of 2023.”
We said at that time that we “read between the lines here and suggest that these probably won’t come on board until late in 2023 and will go into service hopefully by early 2024. And that’s assuming no further delays.” Dreamliner deliveries have already been on hold for one and a half years.
Structural flaws continuing to exacerbate long delivery delay.
Boeing mega-client Emirates last month announced that deliveries of their Boeing 787 Dreamliners will be delayed by at least one additional year – until 2024 or longer. That because of Boeing’s ongoing delivery suspension due to structural flaws.
Emirates ordered 30 of the wide-body jets or three times the Hawaiian order. That was almost three years ago as part of a much larger deal for other planes (777x), which are also on delay. Emirates COO said “now we know for sure that’s not going to happen in 2023. It may not even happen in 2024.”
Boeing said it hopes to start the delivery process as soon as this summer, but we think that’s highly unlikely. The relationship between the FAA and Boeing is also not conducive to resolution and early delivery resumption.
Will Hawaiian and others receive compensation for lengthy aircraft delivery delays?
When asked, Emirates declined to comment on whether they are seeking remuneration for the losses associated with the non-deliverability of the Dreamliners.
Boeing also commented on the Dreamliner delays last month, saying “we are completing comprehensive inspections across 787 production and within the supply chain, while holding detailed, transparent discussions with the FAA, suppliers and our customers.”
Previously, we were told that Dreamliner deliveries would restart later in 2022.
Hawaiian Airlines Dreamliners are the company’s future.
The Dreamliners will provide significantly better fuel efficiency and range compared with the current A330-200 fleet, which are now, on average nearly a decade old.
Dreamliners open entirely new possibilities for the Hawaii bellwether, ranging from a more premium New York to Hawaii service, and one premium west coast to Hawaii service, plus many new international destinations.
The planes, which Hawaiian ordered, can travel up to 7,635 miles nonstop from Hawaii for routes of up to fourteen hours duration.
The HA Dreamliner features new lie-flat business class private pod/suites. They include “cabana suites” combining two seats, that are ideal for couples. Economy seating is set to feature additional legroom.
We’re Dreamliner fans (also A350 and A380) for long-haul flights. They offer a generous feeling cabin, big electronic shade control windows, better pressurization, and overall wide-body appeal.
As a frequent Hawaiian AL passenger and a Pualani Gold member, I would hope Hawaiian Air will retain the 2-4-2 seating arrangement that allows guests to only crawl over 1 person to get up and use the lavatory. That seating arrangement is the only reason my wife prefers the A330 out of LAX, as opposed to the A321neo from LGB. Make me happy and offer the A330 or 787 out of LGB!
Runway is too short for the A330 and the 787 out of Long Beach. The 787 will have 1-2-1 for first class.
Al, respectfully, I have to disagree. Runway 30 at Long Beach (LGB) is 10,000 feet in length and 200 feet wide. The runway used at Kahului,(OGG) runway 02 is only 6,998 feet in
length and 150 feet wide. Runway elevation is not much difference either, I believe Kahului is 200 feet ASL while Long Beach is 60 feet. while Kahului is 55.
In an earlier reply today, I addressed only the runway length of LGB & OGG in regards to the A-330. I agree, the runway at OGG is too short for the 787.
My comment: ‘But the big boys fly non-stop OGG/DFW and OGG/ORD, using their B787-8s, 9s& 10s G.P.
Aloha BOH,
A little off subject, but I have to share my thoughts on the elephant in the room. The Island economy AKA revenue source. Maybe taking a page from the tribal casinos here on the west coast and apply it to the ,at least one half Hawaiian ,and breath life into programs and subsidies that relies on local and state taxes to survive. This might sound far reaching and certainly a complicated issue, but it has achieved some traction here in the development of the tribal community and opportunities that were non existent not long ago. Just sayin.
Thanks and Mahalo for all you do,
Greg H
Hi Greg.
Thanks for your input on the subject. We appreciate it.
Aloha.
I personally don’t want to fly on a Dreamliner.
P.S. I am a former longtime Boeing employee (38 years)
Even Delta uses the newer 330-300s on their nonstops to Minneapolis from Honolulu. United has temporarily suspended their nonstops to EWR.
Hawaiian 🌺. Get some A350’s a more popular plane ✈️, they seem to get their act together a little better… lol
A350s have a fairly decent range too. I think it would be a good replacement for the A330s.
Bummer. Was looking forward to the new first class seating when we go back home to visit ohana on the mainland.