Hawaiian Airlines is setting the stage for a new chapter in their flight services. Come March 2024, the airline will be launching its brand new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, designed with premium comfort and service in mind, on its services to the US West Coast. Let’s explore what this development means for travelers and the airline industry alike.
A Look at the New B787-9s
The grand unveiling of Hawaiian Airlines’ cabin fitouts for these new additions to their fleet occurred just last week. Anticipation has been building since the airline announced that the first of its 12 Dreamliners would arrive in November, with the second expected just in time for revenue operations kickstarting in March 2024.
Featuring a two-cabin configuration, these aircraft can accommodate 300 passengers. They are designed with 34 business class seats for those looking for a premium experience. But the real highlight is the 266 economy class seats, of which 79 are “extra-comfort” seats. These provide additional legroom and access to AC outlets, ensuring a comfortable journey for long-haul travelers.
Bridging the Gap: Hawaiian Airlines and the US West Coast
Although Hawaiian Airlines has yet to disclose which specific United States West Coast routes the B787-9 Dreamliners will first service, the airline currently operates flights to ten West Coast airports. These include well-known travel hubs like Seattle Tacoma International, Portland International, San José, US, Oakland, Sacramento International, San Francisco, CA, Ontario, Long Beach, Los Angeles International, and San Diego International.
According to weekly seat availability data, Hawaiian Airlines’ busiest West Coast routes are to Los Angeles, Sacramento, Seattle, Portland, and Oakland, respectively. Once the West Coast services have fully integrated the new aircraft, Hawaiian Airlines plans to expand the use of the B787-9s onto other long-haul routes, creating more opportunities for passengers to experience these new aircraft.
The Journey to the B787-9s Launch
However, the road to this launch hasn’t been without its challenges. Hawaiian Airlines initially scheduled the B787-9 Dreamliners deliveries to begin in 2021, but unforeseen circumstances related to COVID-19 and B787 assembly line issues led to a delay.
Despite these hurdles, by the end of 2024, Hawaiian Airlines plans to have four B787-9s in service. The airline also has an ambitious roadmap to introduce the rest of the aircraft through 2027, demonstrating their commitment to evolving their services and enhancing passenger experience.
In the ever-evolving aviation industry, Hawaiian Airlines’ introduction of its B787-9s on US West Coast services is a testament to the airline’s commitment to innovation and customer satisfaction. This development not only showcases the airline’s resilience in the face of challenges but also heralds a new era of comfort and service in long-haul travel.
First love never dies. I fell in love with airplanes and aviation when I was a kid. My dream was to become a pilot, but destiny led me to another path: to be an aviation digital media content creator and a small business owner. My passion for aviation inspires me to bring you quality content through my website and social accounts. Aviation is indeed in my blood and blog!
