Summary
- British Airways’ parent company, IAG, has converted six Boeing 787-10 options into firm orders, demonstrating increased confidence in operating more long-haul aircraft.
- The brand new 787-10s will probably be delivered between 2025 and 2026 and can help restore capability in British Airways’ premium widebody fleet.
- Despite strong revenues, British Airways has yet to exceed its 2019 capability.
British Airways’ parent, the International Airlines Group (IAG), yesterday revealed that it converted six Boeing 787-10 options for the flag carrier of the UK into firm orders. Furthermore, one other six 787-10 options have been added to the order book.
Keeping the momentum going
Amid the posting of its robust results for the primary half of this yr, IAG is increasing its confidence to operate more long-haul aircraft. In spite of everything, it’s reporting record profits.
The brand new order for six 787-10s will probably be delivered to British Airways between 2025 and 2026. IAG highlights that these units will speed up the flag carrier of the operator’s premium widebody capability recovery.
Photo: Markus Mainka | Shutterstock
IAG can also be increasing its confidence in future fleets across the board. For example, it has converted 10 A320neo options to firm deliveries. These aircraft are expected in 2028 and will probably be alternative planes for the group’s short-haul services.
IAG can also be converting an Iberia Airbus A350-900 right into a firm order. The group concluded the next concerning the widebody order conversions.
The odd one out
Despite IAG’s strong revenues and commitment to widebody aircraft, there remains to be some technique to go for British Airways. Notably, the UK carrier is the one airline a part of the group’s fold to not exceed 2019 capability this yr.
Still, there may be hope for BA to proceed its recovery well. The airline’s CEO, Sean Doyle, is showing his intent on increasing customer confidence and repair.
The airline is even bringing back free cups and tea for economy customers on some short-haul summer flights after a six-year hiatus. Nonetheless, Doyle will probably be keen to sort existing catering issues out. We reported yesterday how some passengers were treated to simply a single piece of KFC on a flight as a consequence of catering carts not being properly chilled.
Widebody prospects
British Airways is a big fan of the Dreamliner. It holds all three models of the kind, including 12 787-8s, 18 787-9s, and 7 787-10s – the last of which arrived just last month.
In the case of other Boeing widebodies, the airline holds 59 777s. In response to ch-aviation.com, the carrier also balances operations with an Airbus A330neo (on wet lease), 15 A350-100s, and 12 A380s.
The 787-10s are currently flying usually to the likes of Chicago O’Hare, Houston Intercontinental, Newark Liberty, and Toronto Pearson on transatlantic routes. Heading eastward, the aircraft is spotted on services to Kuwait City and Dubai International. All in all, the 787 will remain a staple in BA’s fleet throughout the last decade and beyond.
What are your thoughts about British Airways’ Boeing 787-10 orders? What do you make of the general operations of the kind within the airline’s fleet? Tell us what you’re thinking that of the carrier and its plans within the comment section.