As it continues its transition to an all-Boeing long-haul fleet, Air Europa has placed an order for 14 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, marking the largest Boeing wide-body purchase ever made by a Spanish carrier. With this order, the airline’s combined tally of 787-8 and 787-9 aircraft on order rises to 22.
“Since its beginning, Air Europa has always operated the most contemporary airplanes available to the market. With the steps we are taking, we will become an airline with the most modern fleet in the world. We have always looked for the best quality and comfort for our passengers and the Boeing 787 meets our needs because it is faster, quieter and more comfortable as well as being more efficient and more respectful to the environment,” said Juan José Hidalgo, president of Globalia, Air Europa’s parent company, at a press conference in Madrid.
Air Europa expects its first Dreamliners to arrive in 2016, a delivery that will support a significant expansion: the airline plans to increase both flight frequencies and the number of destinations by roughly 50 percent. The new aircraft will enable longer nonstop routes, improved fuel efficiency and enhanced onboard comfort for passengers.
Headquartered at Palma de Mallorca Airport and operating a major hub at Adolfo Suárez–Madrid Barajas Airport, Air Europa currently serves more than 40 destinations across Europe and the Americas. The addition of the 787-9s aligns with the carrier’s strategy to modernize its long-haul fleet, improve operational efficiency and expand its international network.