Boeing and Sun PhuQuoc Airways have announced the new Vietnam-based carrier has ordered up to 40 787 Dreamliner jets to serve as the backbone of its widebody fleet.

In a press release issued on February 18, Boeing said the order will form the backbone of the airline’s widebody fleet and enable it to connect international travelers to its hub at Phu Quoc International Airport.

The agreement, witnessed by Vietnam’s General Secretary To Lam and representatives of the U.S. government, underscores deepening aviation ties between the two countries as Vietnam’s air travel market continues to expand.

Dang Minh Truong, chairman of Sun Group, the airline’s parent company, said the carrier selected the 787-9 variant for its operational performance and long-range capabilities. “We selected the Boeing 787-9 not only for its superior operational performance, but because it is the most suitable aircraft type to realize our vision of bringing Phu Quoc to the world and bringing the world to Phu Quoc,” he said in the statement.

The 787-9 has a range of 7,565 nautical miles (14,010 kilometers), allowing Sun PhuQuoc Airways to operate nonstop services from Phu Quoc to major cities and tourism destinations across Asia, Europe, and North America. Boeing said the aircraft’s fuel efficiency and lower operating costs would provide flexibility to open new long-haul markets while supporting local tourism growth.

The Dreamliner family, which entered service in 2011, has enabled airlines worldwide to launch more than 535 new nonstop routes and has carried over 1.2 billion passengers, according to Boeing. The aircraft features larger windows and a lower cabin altitude designed to improve passenger comfort on long-haul flights.

Stephanie Pope, president and chief executive of Boeing Commercial Airplanes, said the 787-9’s “unmatched range, fuel efficiency, and passenger comfort” would help the airline expand into new markets and strengthen connectivity.

Vietnam is forecast to be Southeast Asia’s fastest-growing aviation market, with annual passenger growth projected at nearly eight percent by 2030. Sun PhuQuoc Airways, developed under Sun Group’s “resort aviation” model, plans to expand its fleet to 100 aircraft by the end of the decade, positioning Phu Quoc as a major tourism gateway.

For travelers, the order signals the prospect of new long-haul routes and increased nonstop connectivity from the island destination. For industry analysts, it highlights continued confidence in Vietnam’s aviation and tourism sectors as carriers invest in next-generation, fuel-efficient aircraft to meet rising demand.

Source: Boeing Press Release