The announcement comes following the airline's unveiling of the cabin interiors last week, in anticipation of the arrival of its first Dreamliner in November, with a second one due before revenue operations kick off in March.
By the close of 2024, Hawaiian Airlines has plans to have four Boeing 787-9s in operation, with the rest expected to be introduced gradually through 2027. Each aircraft is designed to accommodate 300 passengers across two cabins, featuring 34 business class seats and 266 economy class seats. Among the economy seats, 79 are designated as "extra-comfort" seats, offering additional legroom and access to AC outlets.
Originally, the delivery of the Boeing 787-9s to Hawaiian Airlines was scheduled to commence in 2021, but was delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic and issues with the 787 assembly line. While the airline has not specified which West Coast routes the new planes will first service in March, Hawaiian Airlines operates flights to ten West Coast airports.
These include Seattle Tacoma International, Portland International, San Jose, US, Oakland, Sacramento International, San Francisco, CA, Ontario, Long Beach, Los Angeles International, and San Diego International. According to weekly seat availability data from ch-aviation capacities, the airline's busiest West Coast routes are those to Los Angeles, Sacramento, Seattle, Portland, and Oakland, in that order.
A spokesperson for Hawaiian Airlines also indicated to media outlets that the Dreamliners will be deployed on other long-haul routes once the West Coast operations have been successfully established.
