Air Europa

Spanish airline Air Europa has finalised a $3.6bn order with Boeing to purchase 14 wide-body 787-9 Dreamliners.

Announced in December 2014, the order was originally posted as an unidentified customer on the Boeing orders and deliveries website.

With the latest order, Air Europa has a total of 22 787-8s and 787-9s on order, which will help it transition to an all-Boeing long-haul fleet.

Air Europa’s parent company Globalia president Juan Jose Hidalgo said: "With the steps we are taking, we will become an airline with the most modern fleet in the world.

"The first 787-8 Dreamliners will start to arrive in 2016, this will allow us to grow both the number of flights and destinations we will operate to by around 50%."

At 20ft longer than the 787-8, the 787-9 extends in capacity and range and can accommodate around 40 more passengers than its predecessor.

The aircraft can fly an additional 450nm, while offering 20% in fuel efficiency, 20% fewer emissions compared with similar sized aeroplanes in the segment.

Boeing Commercial Airplanes European sales deputy vice-president Ricardo Cavero said: "This order speaks to the economic performance of the 787 and Air Europa’s recognition of its value in meeting its operational demands to access new long-haul markets, while at the same time providing an unrivalled on-board experience for its passengers."

Air Europa has selected Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engines and TotalCare long-term service support for the new 787-9 Dreamliners.

The airline serves more than 40 destinations across Europe and the Americas and currently has 30 Next-Generation 737-800s and 787 Dreamliners on order.

Image: Air Europa has a total of 22 787-8s and 787-9s on order. Photo: courtesy of Boeing.