Vietnam Air adds 12 Dreamliners to its order

EVERETT — Vietnam Airlines plans to add both Boeing Co. 787s and Airbus A350 jets to its fleet, the carrier said Monday.

The state-run Vietnam Airlines announced a tentative deal with Boeing for a dozen 787-8 Dreamliner jets. The carrier already placed an order for four 787s in 2005. On Monday, Vietnam Airlines also signed an agreement with Airbus for 10 A350 Extra Wide Body jets and 20 A321 single-aisle planes.

The Hanoi-based airline operates a fleet of just 45 aircraft, including 10 Boeing 777s and 23 Airbus A320s and A330s and 12 regional-sized jets. The new airplanes will be used to expand Vietnam Airlines routes. The carrier intends to have more than 100 planes in service by 2020.

Vietnam Airlines was an early customer for Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner, making it a launch customer for Boeing. Its new order for Dreamliners is worth roughly $1.8 billion at list prices. Boeing says the deal has not yet been finalized.

The carrier signed a tentative agreement with Airbus for 10 A350-900 XWBs, as well as for 20 A321s.

“We thoroughly reviewed the A350 XWB program, and we are very confident that this aircraft will set new standards of passenger comfort, operating economics and low emissions in our growing long-haul markets,” said Nguyen Sy Hung, Vietnam Airlines’ chief executive, in a press statement. “The size of the A350-900 XWB responds very well to our expected traffic growth over the next decade.”

Both Airbus’ A350 and Boeing’s 787 will be built mostly of carbon-fiber-composite material, making them lightweight and fuel-efficient. Boeing intends to deliver its first 787 to Japan’s All Nippon Airways in May. Airbus’ A350 will enter commercial service roughly five years later in 2013.

Vietnam Airlines’ request brings the number of firm orders and commitments for the A350 XWB to 264 aircraft — 154 firm orders and 110 commitments. Boeing has won more than 700 firm orders for its 787.

Boeing’s stock rose $1.66 to close at $106.65 on Monday.

Reporter Michelle Dunlop: 425-339-3454 or mdunlop@heraldnet.com.A321s.

@1. Body Copy:”We thoroughly reviewed the A350 XWB program, and we are very confident that this aircraft will set new standards of passenger comfort, operating economics and low emissions in our growing long-haul markets,” said Nguyen Sy Hung, Vietnam Airlines’ chief executive, in a press statement. “The size of the A350-900 XWB responds very well to our expected traffic growth over the next decade,”

Both Airbus’s A350 and Boeing’s 787 will be built mostly of carbon fiber composite material making them lightweight and fuel-efficient. Boeing intends to deliver its first 787 to Japan’s All Nippon Airways in May. Airbus’s A350 will enter commercial service roughly five years later in 2013.

Vietnam Airlines’ request brings the number of firm orders and commitments for the A350 XWB to 264 aircraft — 154 firm orders and 110 commitments. Boeing has won more than 700 firm orders for its 787.

Boeing’s stock rose $1.66 to close at $106.65 Monday.

Reporter Michelle Dunlop: 425-339-3454 or mdunlop@heraldnet.com.