It’s been more than four years since Hawaiian Airlines announced it would add the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner to its fleet. The deal, worth $2.82 billion in 2018, includes a firm order of ten 787-9s. Hawaiian also has purchase rights for ten additional Dreamliners.
At the time, Hawaiian President and CEO Peter Ingram said that the Dreamliner was a “terrific” airplane that would be well-suited for continued growth in the Asia-Pacific region.
“We’re really looking forward to the opportunity to expand that as we bring the 787 on at the beginning of the next decade,” Ingram said in a CNBC interview in March 2018.
Now, more than halfway through 2022, Hawaiian has yet to receive any of its Dreamliners. So, when will they take delivery of their brand new flagship product?
The short answer is that no one really knows for sure.
Problems at Boeing
A lot has changed since 2018. Like many industries, aviation has been hit particularly hard by the events of the past few years.
Amid the pandemic travel slump, the delivery date of Hawaiian’s first Dreamliner was initially delayed until early 2023.
In addition to the pandemic-induced travel downturn, well-publicized production issues have plagued Boeing.
Following two fatal crashes of the 737 MAX in 2018 and 2019, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) officials announced they would revamp the aircraft certification process at Boeing.
787 Line Gets Additional Scrutiny
In September 2020, the FAA began investigating reports of production flaws in the 787. A defect had been discovered that led to small gaps forming between panels on the Dreamliner’s carbon-composite fuselage. Boeing officials determined the flaw could be present in more than 1,000 Dreamliners but said was not an immediate safety issue. However, if not addressed, the problem could lead to premature aging of the aircraft. This led to a five-month suspension of deliveries. Then, in May 2021, just months after resuming, 787 deliveries were halted once again following increased FAA scrutiny over changes in Boeing’s planned inspection methods.
These production issues have caused a reported backlog of nearly 600 Dreamliners, including 120 that have already been built and are currently in storage.
These issues may be coming to an end, however. Reuters reported on 29 July that the FAA has given its blessing to Boeing to resume 787 deliveries – possibly as soon as this month.
According to Reuters, Boeing Chief Financial Officer Brian West says Boeing is “making progress” in preparing the stored 787s for delivery and will begin additional production soon – albeit slowly at first.
What This Means for Hawaiian’s Dreamliners
Although 787 production is expected to resume as soon as this month, you shouldn’t expect to see any Hawaiian Dreamliners in the skies anytime soon.
The 787 production shutdown has undoubtedly affected many carriers, not just Hawaiian. Until things are back to normal again at Boeing’s North Charleston, S.C. facility, it’s hard to put a time frame on any potential delivery dates.
However, Ingram isn’t optimistic that Hawaiian will take delivery of any of its new Dreamliners before 2024. During a Hawaiian Holdings Q2 2022 earnings call on 26 July, Ingram said the 787 “isn’t going to be a huge contributor to our fleet over the next couple of years – but obviously will be going forward.”
Hawaiian’s New Flagship
When Hawaiian Airlines chose the 787-9 over the Airbus A330-800neo in 2018, nobody knew how much the world would change over the next few years.
But the extended wait for Hawaiian’s new flagship aircraft promises to be worth it.
The airline will roll out its brand new business class product on its Dreamliners. Passengers will experience the Ascent Seating System by Adient Aerospace. Each seat will feature modular premium lie-flat pods and double suites that are customizable for single, double, or family travelers. Passengers in Hawaiian’s premium economy seating will have full, touch-screen HD monitors. Onboard entertainment will be plentiful. Passengers will experience a smart entertainment system providing passengers with movies, television, music, and games to pass the time. Economy passengers will also see an upgraded product with roomier seats and an updated personal entertainment system.
All of Hawaiian’s Dreamliners will have power outlets and in-seat USB ports. The jets will also feature optimized humidity, lower cabin pressure, and enhanced entertainment options, including touch screens. Hawaiian’s 787-9s will offer (along with their Airbus A330 and A321neos) equipped with complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi through SpaceX’s Starlink. Hawaiian is the first major airline to announce a partnership with Starlink.
Looking Forward To 787 Service
Hawaiian Airlines’ Dreamliners may yet be two or three years away from taking to the skies. Still, from everything we know about the product, it promises to be spectacular – much like the legendary service Hawaiian Airlines provides.
As 787 production ramps back up in Charleston, we look forward to saying “aloha” to Hawaiian’s beautiful livery on a Dreamliner one day in the not-so-distant future.
