Norwegian orders 19 Dreamliners

22. Oct 2015

by BusinessClass

Norwegian will increase its long-haul fleet with an order of 19 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners. This is the largest single order of 787-9s from a European airline. For Norwegian, the new aircraft will see its current long-haul fleet increase to 38 Dreamliners over the next five years. The new additions will allow Norwegian to launch a number of new long-haul routes in the coming years.

Norwegian currently has eight 787-8 Dreamliners in operation, and has previously ordered eleven of the slightly larger Boeing 787-9s. With today's order, Norwegian’s long-haul fleet will consist of 38 Dreamliners by 2020. The agreement also includes purchase options on another ten aircraft of the same type (787-9). The new aircraft have a longer range, the fuselage is longer, and there is room for 53 extra seats. Aircraft from this latest order will be delivered from 2017 onwards.

Bjørn Kjos, Norwegian's CEO

, said: “This order of 19 new Dreamliners is a major milestone and enables Norwegian to offer a wide range of new routes to consumers worldwide. The order is also essential to further strengthening the company in the global competition. After two years of operating low-cost long-haul flights, our load factors have averaged in the nineties, which proves the demand for affordable flights between Europe and the US and Europe and Asia. Future growth and competiveness in the long-haul market depends on the fuel-efficient, state-of-the art 787 Dreamliner. Not least, the Dreamliner offers the best passenger experience." Norwegian’s version of the 787-9 has 344 seats, of which 35 are in premium economy and 309 in economy.