Air China has become the latest carrier to change an order for 787-8s to the larger -9 variant, and now expects to receive its aircraft from 2015.
Air China first placed its order for 15 787-8s in 2005 and had been expected to take delivery in 2008. The carrier now says that the larger -9s are a better fit in terms of capacity, performance and economy.
The move by Air China follows Vietnam Airlines which earlier this year converted its orders for 787-8s to the -9, citing that the performance of the -8 no longer meeting its needs. VN had been planning to use the 787-8s to launch nonstop flights between Vietnam and the US.
