Boeing and Sun PhuQuoc Airways have announced an order for up to 40 787 Dreamliner aircraft, marking the Vietnam-based carrier’s first direct jet purchase. The 787 will form the backbone of the airline’s widebody fleet, supporting its strategy to connect international travellers to its hub at Phu Quoc International Airport.

The agreement, announced in Washington on 18 February 2026, represents the largest Boeing widebody order in Vietnamese history. General Secretary To Lam and representatives of the United States government joined airline and Boeing leaders to acknowledge the previously unidentified purchase.

Fleet strategy and network development

Sun PhuQuoc Airways will deploy the ultra-efficient, long-range 787-9 to link Phu Quoc with major cities and tourism destinations across Asia, Europe and North America. With a range of 7,565 nautical miles (14,010 km), the aircraft is positioned to support long-haul expansion and new international connections.

Dang Minh Truong, Chairman of Sun Group, the airline’s parent company, said the partnership with Boeing establishes a foundation for building a world-class airline aligned with the tourism and resort ecosystem developed by Sun Group. He stated that the 787-9 was selected for its operational performance and suitability in supporting the vision of connecting Phu Quoc with global markets.

Stephanie Pope, President and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes, said the 787-9’s range, fuel efficiency and passenger comfort will provide the airline with flexibility to open new long-haul markets, reduce operating costs and contribute to tourism growth.

Passenger experience and performance

The 787 Dreamliner features the largest windows of any widebody aircraft currently in service and maintains a lower cabin altitude, designed to enhance passenger comfort and reduce fatigue on long-haul journeys.

Since entering service in 2011, the global 787 fleet has enabled more than 535 new nonstop routes worldwide and carried over 1.2 billion passengers, strengthening international connectivity.

Vietnam’s growth outlook

Southeast Asia is expected to experience significant air travel growth over the next two decades. Vietnam is projected to be the region’s fastest-growing aviation market, with annual passenger growth approaching 8% by 2030.

Sun PhuQuoc Airways, developed by Sun Group under a “resort aviation” model, plans to operate a hub-and-spoke network directly linking Phu Quoc with major domestic and international tourism and economic centres. The airline intends to expand its fleet to 100 aircraft by 2030 as it positions itself to meet rising premium tourism demand.