Sun PhuQuoc Airways has ordered up to 40 Boeing 787 Dreamliner jets to serve as the backbone of its widebody fleet. The deal marks the largest Boeing widebody order in Vietnamese history.
The year-old carrier announced the purchase on February 17, 2026, at a ceremony in Washington, DC, attended by Vietnamese General Secretary To Lam and US government representatives, alongside Boeing Commercial Airplanes President and CEO Stephanie Pope and Sun Group leadership.
Island-focused aviation strategy
Sun PhuQuoc Airways, Vietnam’s first airline named after an island, operates under what it describes as a “resort aviation” model with a hub-and-spoke network strategy. The carrier will use Phu Quoc International Airport (PQC), scheduled to open in 2027, as its primary hub.
“Our partnership with Boeing establishes a strong foundation for building a world-class airline that operates in sync with the tourism and resort ecosystem Sun Group has developed,” said Dang Minh Truong, Chairman of Sun Group, the airline’s parent company.
The airline selected the 787-9 variant specifically for its operational 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,” Truong said.
Aircraft capabilities and route potential
The 787-9 offers a range of 7,565 nautical miles (14,010 km), positioning Sun PhuQuoc Airways to connect Phu Quoc with major cities and tourist destinations across Asia, Europe, and North America through non-stop flights.
Boeing highlighted the aircraft’s passenger comfort features, including the largest windows of any widebody airplane currently flying and cabin air pressurized at a lower altitude to help passengers arrive feeling more refreshed.
“The 787-9’s unmatched range, fuel efficiency and passenger comfort will give the airline flexibility to open new long-haul markets, lower operating costs and contribute to local tourism growth,” said Stephanie Pope.
Market context and expansion plans
Vietnam is expected to be Southeast Asia’s fastest-growing aviation market, with annual passenger growth projected at nearly 8% by 2030. The region overall is positioned for significant air travel growth over the next 20 years.
Sun PhuQuoc Airways plans to expand its fleet to 100 aircraft by 2030 as part of its strategy to capture premium tourism demand. The airline aims to directly connect Phu Quoc to major domestic and international tourism and economic centers.
Boeing’s 787 program milestones
Since airlines began operating the 787 Dreamliner family in 2011, the global fleet has launched more than 535 new nonstop routes worldwide and transported over 1.2 billion passengers. Pope noted that the 787 “connects the most countries of any widebody fleet.”
The Sun PhuQuoc Airways order demonstrates Boeing’s continued expansion in Southeast Asian markets, where carriers are investing in long-range aircraft to serve growing international travel demand.
The new airline’s “resort aviation” model integrates flight operations with Phu Quoc’s broader tourism ecosystem, positioning the carrier to serve both leisure travelers seeking island destinations and business passengers requiring connections between Vietnam and international markets.
