Boeing is on the brink of securing an order for more 787 Dreamliner aircraft from Australia’s Qantas Airways, according to Reuters. This order, which could be announced as early as this month, would involve an unspecified number of 787-10s, a stretched version of the 787-9 with a shorter range. It’s designed to compete against the Airbus A330.
However, it’s worth noting that such negotiations often go down to the wire, and no decision is considered final until it receives airline board approval. If finalized, this would be Qantas’s first order of the 787-10 model.
Qantas’s Influence and Previous Orders
Qantas is no stranger to the aviation world and is considered one of the most influential aircraft buyers. Their original decision to opt for a smaller type of Boeing 787 in 2005 even led to a review of Airbus’s wide-body strategy.
In 2022, Qantas made headlines with a landmark order for a dozen A350-1000s, the largest European widebody jet capable of nonstop flights from Sydney to London and New York. This was part of its “Project Sunrise” ultra-long-haul initiative.
The upcoming Dreamliner deal, if it goes through, would swing orders back in Boeing’s favor with the largest variant of 787. Qantas last placed a Dreamliner order in 2018, signing a deal for six jetliners to replace its remaining Boeing 747s. The airline currently operates 14 787-9s.
Future Plans and Competition
The potential order aligns with Qantas’s future plans. Incoming Qantas CEO Vanessa Hudson mentioned in June that the carrier would initiate a competition to replace existing A330 jets by the end of the year. This new order would deepen the presence of the high-tech Dreamliner family at Australia’s flag carrier.
Both Qantas and Boeing declined to comment on the matter, keeping the details under wraps for now. The addition of the Boeing 787-10 to Qantas Airways’ fleet could mark a significant step in enhancing the airline’s efficiency and range capabilities.
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