Hainan Airlines has taken delivery of its first Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, and has become the first Chinese carrier to operate both 787-8s and 787-9s.

The Haikou based carrier is leasing the aircraft through Air Lease Corporation. Hainan Airlines is the largest 787 operator in China, with 10 787-8s and plans to use the first 787-9 on its Beijing – Las Vegas service beginning in September.

Boeing Commercial Airplanes senior vice president of Northeast Asia sales, Ihssane Mounir says: “We are honoured to celebrate this milestone delivery with both ALC and Hainan Airlines. The 787-9 will complement Hainan Airlines’ existing 787-8 fleet, enabling the airline to open up new nonstop services for continuous global expansion.”

Boeing says the 787-9’s fuselage is six metres longer than the 787-8 and can fly an additional 280 nautical miles. The manufacturer also says it uses 20 per cent less fuel and emits 20 per cent fewer emissions than aircraft it replaces.