Several months ago, I wrote about an online auction from a major airline looking to dump some pre-enjoyed Dreamliners. There’s now an update, as these planes have found a buyer, and we know where they’re (probably) headed.
Continue reading: China Southern Sells Boeing 787 Fleet In Online Auction… And There’s A Taker!
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
I think they somehow need to refresh the interior. The CZ 787-8 only has 18 business class seats and the whole cabin is not functioning very well.
Landing in Bangkok in 2022 was crazy. Thai airways planes parked as far as the eye could see. All faded. Often with engine covers. A380s included.
Glad to see them on the upswing.
Also worth mentioning that CZ has retrofited their 788s in the late 2010s, so seats aren’t that old, especially when compared to 788s used by Xiamen Air which CZ partially owns
Problem is that AA does NOT want any more -8 and prefer the more advanced -9 that have longer range. AA has stated repeatedly they have no desire to operate wide bodies Domestically because offering that type of equipment on routes that do not bring in a premium fare is not worth the expense.
Of course the Chinese have taken good care of these airplanes. They have taken all rotables with any service life left from the older 78's and swapped out those parts with timed out parts from their other 78's.
I agree that AA could use these. Not necessarily for the long term but at least until they finally, if ever, get sufficient wide-body capacity.
I'm sure they would prefer the -9 version, but Qantas is desperate for more 787s. I would think they would love these aircraft to put on their Asian routes to allow the 787-9s to do Europe and US.
Should work quite well with overall commonality- Thai's existing 788s being 22J(2-2*-2), 234Y.
And their new 787s being GE, so no major factor there.
Agreed, but the cost to overhaul interiors and integrate them into the fleet is prohibitive on a 10+ year old airframe.
Taking delivery of 788s would also create the question of a new (flagship suite?) LOPA on that fleet at a time when the 77W and 772 fleets are already behind on retrofits. Why install an old product when AA is likely to update all 788’s when the 772s are completed?
Basically confirmed by TG inner circles that these 10 are coming to TG, first aircraft arriving in June. Expected to operate regional routes within Asia-Pacific, furthest routes may be Sapporo or Perth, and will free up additional A350s and 777s for long-haul expansion.
The airline is also expected to take on an additional 15 A321NEOs this year, on top of the 2 already delivered, and 4 leased, factory fresh 787-9s, separate to the large order of 45 aircraft coming in 2027. Which should help as the airline is expecting to lose 6 widebodies this year, 2 of their RR powered 788s, going to LOT, 2 oddball 2-2-2 config A350s going to Edelweiss and the retirement of their 2 remaining 777-200ERs.
The airline has already announce AMS and CSX as 2 new routes with the intention of adding CKG, WUH and XMN, returning to AKL and increasing frequencies to double daily to MUC and CDG, so these coming aircraft should help in doing so.
I believe the interiors will have a minor refresh, change of seat fabrics to match the rest of the TG fleet, but from I heard, they will only be on a 5 year lease to cover them until the new 787s arrive from Boeing. So I doubt much else will be done
oh bummer - I'm flying into Urumqi on the 787-8 late April - and possibly out in early May - does anyone want a to take a guess whether I'll get Qatar'd or will i get the 787?
(Correct me if I'm wrong but 787 is flat bed and replacement would be a recliner)