TAAG Angola Airlines Boeing 787: First Dreamliner Joins Fleet!

In late 2023, we saw a fascinating order announced for the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. There’s now a cool update, as the airline has just taken delivery of its first of these jets. I’m probably a lot more excited about this than I should be, but I can’t help it…

TAAG Angola Airlines acquiring Boeing 787 Dreamliners

In October 2023, Boeing announced that TAAG Angola Airlines placed an order for four Boeing 787 aircraft. The order is split between two 787-9s and two 787-10s, so the airline has selected the two biggest variants of the jet. While the first jet was supposed to join TAAG’s fleet in August 2024, that timeline was delayed, unsurprisingly.

There’s now an exciting update, as the first 787-9 has just been delivered. The plane isn’t actually brand new — instead, it’s nearly three years old, with the registration code D2-TEQ. It was supposed to be delivered to MIAT Mongolian Airlines, but the carrier ended up getting a more lucrative deal for acquiring 787-9s, so canceled the order (which was possible thanks to the delays). Then the jet briefly flew for Riyadh Air, for demonstration flights.

Now it has joined TAAG’s fleet. On January 29, the 787-9 flew nonstop from Everett (PAE) to Luanda (LAD), in a flight time of 16hr59min. I’ve gotta say, TAAG’s new livery is gorgeous, in my opinion.

Here’s how TAAG Angola Airlines CEO, Nelson Rodrigues de Oliveira, describes this new jet:

“The delivery of the 787-9 is a pivotal step in our strategy to modernize TAAG Angola Airlines’ fleet. This airplane brings the efficiency and versatility we need to meet growing market demands, replace our aging widebody fleet, and deliver a world-class experience to our passengers.”

Meanwhile here’s how Boeing VP of Commercial Sales for Africa, Anbessie Yitbarek, describes this:

“The 787 Dreamliner will complement TAAG Angola Airlines’ fleet of Boeing 737 and 777 jets, as we continue to support the airline in its mission to connect people and places across the globe. Our 50-year relationship with TAAG Angola Airlines has been built on trust and shared goals, and we look forward to many more years of successful collaboration and innovation together.”

TAAG Angola Airlines ditches first class, adds premium economy

I’ve been curious to see how TAAG Angola Airlines would configure its Boeing 787s, given that up until now, it has been the only airline in Africa to offer first class. Some longtime OMAAT readers may remember my adventure flying with TAAG in first class. I flew with the airline from Lisbon to Luanda, and then from Luanda to Sao Paulo. It was… quite an experience. 😉

So, what did the airline choose? These 787-9s are equipped with 313 seats, and not necessarily with the cabins you’d expect, as the airline has chosen to eliminate first class and add premium economy for the first time. This includes:

• 16 business class seats, with reverse herringbone seats in a 1-2-1 configuration
• 21 premium economy seats, in a 2-3-2 configuration
• 276 economy seats, in a 3-3-3 configuration

Okay, so while not as sexy of a configuration as I may have been hoping, that’s probably a pretty sensible layout. It’s interesting how the airline has basically gone from one extreme to the other. The carrier’s 777-300ERs have 12 first class seats and 56 business class seats, while the 787-9s have 16 business class seats. Talk about a reduction in premium capacity!

However, it’s my understanding that this wasn’t even necessarily a direct choice on the carrier’s part. Instead, the airline took delivery of the plane with the interiors that were initially intended for MIAT Mongolian Airlines.

TAAG Angola Airlines is nicely modernizing its fleet

For context, up until recently, TAAG Angola Airlines’ jet fleet consisted of five Boeing 777-300ERS, three Boeing 777-200ERs, and seven Boeing 737-700s. The airline is now in the process of taking delivery of Airbus A220-300s, to modernize and expand the narrow body fleet.

The carrier’s 777-300ERs are an average of roughly 10 years old, and were delivered between 2011 and 2016. Meanwhile the 777-200ERs are an average of around 17 years old, and were delivered in 2006 through 2008. It’s my understanding that the new 787s will be used to replace the 777-200ERs.

Bottom line

In late 2023, TAAG Angola Airlines placed an order for four Boeing 787s, including two 787-9s and two 787-10s. The first of these jets has just been delivered. TAAG’s livery is stunning, and looks particularly good on the 787, in my opinion.

It’s interesting that the airline chose to configure the jet in a pretty dense layout, with no first class, only 16 business class seats, and the introduction of a premium economy product.

What do you make of TAAG’s Boeing 787 order?