It appears that a long rumored change is indeed coming to the Hawaii bellwether Hawaiian Airlines fleet. Aviation industry experts at Leeham News and others, have indicated that the company will soon cancel its orders for six A330-800 and instead purchase an unknown number of wide-body Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners. An announcement could happen at any time. Wikipedia now also reflects the Hawaiian Airlines change to Dreamliners.
A321neo and A330 fleets unaffected
This new aircraft order is not related to the 16 plane narrow-body Airbus A321neo Hawaiian Airlines fleet which is currently in the process of being delivered. It also doesn’t impact the existing Hawaiian Airlines fleet of 24 A330-200 wide-body aircraft, which will continue to serve as Hawaiian’s primary, long-range, high-density aircraft for use to Asia, Australia and some major mainland cities. If true, however, this order would also provide Hawaiian future flexibility in determining its optimal fleet mix among both aircraft vendors.
History of Hawaiian Airlines extra long range fleet order
Back in 2014, Hawaiian announced it would order a fleet of six Airbus A350-800 aircraft. Those were significantly longer-range in capabilities, and brought with them the possibility of new routes the company desires, including to Western Australia, Southeast Asia and Europe.
What happened subsequently is that Airbus discontinued that variant of the A350 and moved Hawaiian to the less desirable A330-800. The problem there, among other things, is that there were no other firm orders for that version (except one airline that went bankrupt), leaving Hawaiian in a precariously orphaned position. Thus began the company’s process of determining the best aircraft for these special route missions.
Beat of Hawaii spoke with Mark Dunkerley, CEO at Hawaiian Airlines last month, January 2018. Mark indicated at that time the company was still considering what to do in relation to their extra long-range aircraft order.
It appears that Boeing may have given Hawaiian a sweetheart deal in order to bring the carrier back into the fold on its long-range aircraft orders and shake up the ongoing Airbus/Boeing competition. Cost to produce the planes is said to be in the $80+ Million range, with purchase prices typically at $120+ Million. Rumors are that the planes may actually have been sold at or near cost. This could be helpful to Hawaiian, in part because of potential cancellation penalties associated with the Airbus order. Alternatively, those deposits may have been applied to the A321neo fleet orders.
United takes some old Hawaiian 767’s
Hawaiian has announced that it will end use of its legacy Boeing 767 fleet in the next year as more A321neo planes enter service. Three of those 767 planes will be going to United Airlines.
Future questions
We have not seen indication of when the company might begin delivery of the Dreamliners. Our suspicious however is that those may be several years away.
Also, once Hawaiian has experience flying 789 Dreamliners, could the company decide to expand that fleet to overlap or replace some of its A330-200’s? Their replacement or supplementation could certainly be addressed with these new planes if desired. And lastly, will Hawaiian like the performance of the uber popular Dreamliner even better?
Having a good deal of personal experience on-board both planes, and while we like both of them, we have somewhat of a preference for the Dreamliner. What’s your experience been with these two planes?
Photo of Hawaiian Airlines A330-200.
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Any truth to the rumour that the largest U.S. domestic carrier, Southwest Airlines, is in talks with acquiring Hawaiian Air?
Sometime ago, I had heard that Hawaiian would be doing flights to and from Chicago. Have you heard any information about that? Thank you so much. Linda
Hi Linda.
We have heard the same rumors. That’s all that we know.
Aloha.
My parents (both 91 yrs old) want to take a family “last trip” to Honolulu, HI in 2018. I’m the youngest of 2 daughters & resigned from corporate job to be their
full time caregiver, medical advocate, driver, laundry, etc.- they live with me & my husband.
Dad born on Big Island; when 5 yrs old, moved & grew up on Kaimuki, HI (went to McKinley HS) …until he entered US Army. Mom from Tokyo, Japan.
23-25 family members (adults=17 + children=7-8) traveling for this “last trip”.
My parents wish to pay for all flights & hotel if possible.
Will someone help me plan/secure best pricing?
Hi Lillian.
For 10 or more people traveling together, we suggest you call the group sales desk at each of the airlines flying to Hawaii from your location. A discount of perhaps 10% will be possible. Alternatively you might want to contact a travel agent for such a large group.
Aloha.
On my last vacation, I flew both Dreamliners and A-330’s. The A-330 is a very nice, comfortable plane, but the Dreamliner is a far superior experience. Important to me were how quiet the plane was, the comfortable lighting, the tinted and very large windows. But most important is the cabin atmosphere, calibrated to the equivalent of 6,000 ft rather than 8,000 ft, and with more humidity. It makes long haul flights far easier to handle. I am excited to see an ultra long-haul plane come into the Hawaiian Airlines group, and hope there will be nonstop service to London or another European hub, and possibly even Sao Paulo, to open an easier transit for the important Sao Paulo – Japan market. Would also enjoy nonstop service to Melbourne, Australia.
Hi David.
Thanks for your continuing comments. Appreciate your insights and we concur with your thoughts on the planes.
Aloha.
David nails it. The difference between 6,000’ and 8,000’ cabin pressurization is HUGE. The longer the flight, the greater the benefits from higher humidity and a lower equivalent altitude. Add to that the psychological calming aspect of larger windows, and less-cramped appearing cabins, adds to a superior flight experience. The composite fuselage is the secret, only the Dreamliner has it….
Out family will be flying from Los Angeles to Honolulu in June. When is the best time to book our flights, and do to foresee any sales this spring?
We really enjoy receiving Beat of Hawaii, and thank you for your time.
Gary
Hi Gary.
Thank you. If you can leave LA by 6/14 and return by about 6/23, there is an excellent $497 RT airfare on Hawaiian. Don’t wait if that works since later in the month you’ll be looking at $707 RT.
Aloha.
Hi hello I am wondering if Hawaiian airlines will ever be flying into or out of Denver Co.