It’s been a big week for All Nippon Airways (ANA). The Japanese giant, already boasting a fleet of 247 aircraft, has decided that’s simply not enough and has gone ahead and placed a massive order from Boeing to Embraer & Airbus. Let’s break it down, see what they’re adding to their collection, and, of course, share a few thoughts on the matter.
In This Post
ANA’s Current Fleet: A Bit of Everything
ANA isn’t shy when it comes to variety. They’ve got a mix of Airbus, Boeing, and even a sprinkling of Dash 8s for good measure. Here’s what they’re working with:
- 11 Airbus A320neo
- 22 Airbus A321neo
- 4 Airbus A321
- 3 Airbus A380 (yes, those big, beautiful whales)
- 39 Boeing 737-800
- 21 Boeing 767-300
- 10 Boeing 777-200
- 2 Boeing 777-200L
- 5 Boeing 777-300
- 13 Boeing 777-300ER
- 34 Boeing 787-8
- 44 Boeing 787-9
- 8 Boeing 787-10
- 31 Dash 8-400
It’s a bit of a mixed bag, but ANA knows what it’s doing. And now, they’ve decided it’s time to level up.
The Big Order: 77 Aircraft (Sort Of)
Okay, so it’s not exactly 77 aircraft. ANA has placed firm orders for 68 planes with options for another 9. But still, that’s a hefty chunk of metal. Here’s the breakdown:
- 18 Boeing 787-9s – because you can never have too many Dreamliners. These will be flying long-haul international routes, just like the ones ANA already operates.
- 14 Airbus A320neo – perfect for domestic and regional hops.
- 12 Boeing 737 MAX 8s – 8 confirmed orders and 4 options, likely replacing some of those well-used 737-800s.
- 3 Airbus A321XLRs – heading straight to Peach Aviation, ANA’s low-cost subsidiary.
- 20 Embraer E190-E2s – the real surprise here. These will be configured with 100 seats and mark ANA’s first venture into Embraer’s E2 family.
What ANA Had to Say
ANA’s President and CEO, Koji Shibata, is calling this order a game-changer, stating:
“This order will be the catalyst for improving the profitability of domestic flights and the expansion of international flights, which will be an area of future growth for our airline business. We will fully utilise this opportunity to become an industry-leading airline with sustainable growth.”
ANA’s official statement adds that by 2030, they expect their total fleet to grow to around 320 aircraft, including approximately 120 Boeing 787s. They’re also pushing to make 91% of their fleet fuel-efficient, which is great for both sustainability and the airline’s bottom line.
The Real Star? The Embraers
Yes, ANA ordering more 787s is nice, and sure, updating their short-haul fleet is practical. But the real showstopper? The Embraer E190-E2s.
This is ANA’s first foray into the E2 family, and it’s an interesting move. These little jets are known for their efficiency, and with a 100-seat configuration, they’ll likely be put to work on thinner domestic and regional routes where a 737 or A320 might be overkill. The first of these is set to arrive in 2028, so mark your calendars.
And What About the 777X?
Ah yes, let’s not forget that ANA still has 18 Boeing 777-9s on order. Not that we’ll talk about them too much because, honestly, who knows when those will actually turn up? The 777X program has been delayed so many times it might as well be the Half-Life 3 of aviation.
Final Thoughts
ANA isn’t messing around. This order reinforces their commitment to both international expansion and domestic efficiency, with a clear focus on sustainability. The mix of aircraft suggests they’re optimising for every type of route in their network, from long-haul Boeing Dreamliner adventures to quick hops in their new Embraer to Airbus.
Now we just have to wait and see if Boeing actually delivers those 777Xs before we all retire.
