After too many delays to keep track, the first Hawaiian 787 has arrived in Honolulu two months ahead of its in-service debut. Interestingly, the first carbon fiber bird to arrive was different from the one I would’ve expected. But it is what it is!
Way back in 2018 – remember those days? – Hawaiian Airlines shocked the aviation world when it announced that it had confirmed an order for 10 Boeing 787-9s with an option for 10 additional aircraft. Why the surprise? Because, outside of the secondhand 767s and new-build 717s, former CEO Mark Dunkerley ordered, Dunkerley was a solidly Airbus person. In fact, when he placed the largest orders for new aircraft in Hawaiian’s history, he ordered the Airbus A330 and, later, the Airbus A321neo. So, an order with Boeing seemed like a moonshot.
However, as we all know, Dunkerley decided to move on in late 2017, with Peter Ingram replacing him as CEO. Ingram is the one that placed the 787 order that, not only ended Hawaiian’s exclusivity with Airbus, but with Rolls-Royce, too. Yes, the A321neos use Pratt & Whitney engines, but that’s because Rolls doesn’t make engines for it. The A330s and 717s both use Rolls Royce turbines.
The first 787 was supposed to enter service with Hawaiian back in 2021. However, manufacturing issues pushed that date back, while the pandemic threw delivery timelines into unknown territory, with Hawaiian electing to defer delivery several times to help shore up its ailing financials. As part of one of the more recent deferrals, Hawaiian agreed to exercise two of its options, so now they have 12 firm orders.
Of course, the first Hawaiian 787 has been around for a LONG time. N780HA rolled off the line at Boeing North Carolina way back in 2021 and was put into long-term storage at Kelly Field in San Antonio, Texas. In more recent times, the jet was flown to Paine Field for undisclosed work and was moved a month ago to Victorville, supposedly for paintwork. Initial reports indicated that Hawaiian would receive its first 787 in January 2024, which I assumed would be this bird, but now that the first Hawaiian 787 has arrived, I was clearly wrong.
The First Hawaiian 787 Has Arrived
Personally, I’ve been stalking N780HA. So when I saw chatter on Wednesday night about the first bird coming straight from Charleston, I was caught off-guard. After all, this means that the first delivery wouldn’t be the first aircraft off the line. Instead, the first Hawaiian Dreamliner is N781HA, which is the second one built. I wonder what the heck happened to N780HA to delay its delivery and keep it in VCV for so long?
At any rate, now that the first Hawaiian 787 has arrived, after flying direct from CHS to HNL as HA9787. The yet unnamed N781HA touched down in Honolulu at 10:32 pm HST after a 4,801-mile, 10-hour, and 10-minute flight.
It’ll spend its time being used for on-the-ground familiarization and training. Then, from April 15 to May 14, it will begin flying Honolulu-San Francisco as HA11/12, before transitioning to Honolulu-Los Angeles on May 14 as HA2/3. Flights between Kahului and Los Angeles will also commence on May 15 as HA33/34. For complete details about the initial routes, please visit my previous post.
Of course, Hawaiian’s 787s represent a massive upgrade for passengers over the existing A330s. Aside from higher cabin pressure and humidity, the 787s will feature Hawaiian’s game-changing (for them, at least) Leihoku Suites. Unfortunately, Main Cabin seats are configured in a 3x3x3 layout, which is a downgrade from the A330’s 2x4x2, in my opinion. And, for whatever reason, the 787s are being delivered without Starlink antennas, meaning we have no idea when WiFi connectivity will come to the carbon fiber birds.
It’s worth reminding that the 787s also feature electrochromism glass, meaning the flight crew can control whether or not your windows are dimmed. Based on my most recent experience, they’re gonna force dim your windows for the entire flight, even during the day. Who else thinks we’re gonna see problems like American had/has?
Final Thoughts
Regardless of what has transpired to date, I’m excited that the first Hawaiian 787 has arrived. Unfortunately, I won’t be flying one anytime soon, but I do look forward to seeing these beauties in our skies. I may not be a fan of Hawaiian – at least as they are today – but there’s no denying that their livery is one of the best!
Are you excited the first Hawaiian 787 has arrived? Do you have your flight booked already?
O/T: did you know that Mark Dunkerley sits on the Board of Directors for Airbus SE? More surprisingly, the dude is also on the Board of Spirit Airlines…