TAAG Angola Airlines received its second Boeing 787-9 on 1 October 2025, the carrier and trade trackers report, as part of a planned re-fleeting program to modernize long-haul capacity. The aircraft arrived in Luanda bearing registration D2-TER (MSN 66913) after an expedited delivery process. Aviation Week first reported the arrival in context of the airline’s re-fleet plans.
Boeing and other industry trackers note TAAG placed an order for four 787s in October 2023; the first of that batch entered service earlier in 2025. The new Dreamliners are intended to replace aging 777-200/-300ERs and to support expanded long-haul connections for Angola.
Key delivery details
- Aircraft / registration: Boeing 787-9, D2-TER (MSN 66913).
- Arrival: Landed at Luanda (AIAAN) late 1 Oct 2025 (reported by ch-aviation, CAPA and flight trackers).
- Lessor: Reportedly Avolon (ch-aviation, CAPA). The aircraft was taken in an interim cabin configuration and can be reconfigured later.
- Configuration (reported / interim): CAPA reports 63 premium-economy + 282 economy seats (interim layout). This may change if TAAG reconfigures the cabin for its network needs.
Why this matters
- Fleet modernization: The 787-9s are more fuel efficient than the older 777 types TAAG is replacing, lowering per-seat fuel burn and enabling longer non-stop sectors or better economics on existing routes. Boeing’s 2023 order for four Dreamliners underpins a strategic shift in TAAG’s 2024–2029 plan.
- Network implications: With modern widebodies, TAAG can sustain or expand flights to Europe and Latin America and explore longer-haul markets in Asia and North America, subject to traffic rights and commercial demand.
- Market & leasing activity: The accelerated delivery, reported as negotiated with Boeing, reflects active leasing and lessor market dynamics (Avolon involvement and other lessor transactions in 2025). Lessor activity remains high as airlines refresh fleets and capture efficiency gains.
Timeline & quick bullets
- Oct 2023: TAAG orders four Boeing 787 Dreamliners.
- Jan 2025: First 787-9 delivered (lessor AerCap), entered service.
- 1 Oct 2025: Second 787-9 (D2-TER, msn 66913) arrives in Luanda, leased from Avolon and in interim cabin configuration.
Context & industry background
- TAAG’s 787 order aligns with broader African carrier trends: several flag carriers are transitioning to next-generation widebodies to cut fuel costs and open long-haul markets. Re-fleeting usually involves lease management, MRO planning, crew training and regulatory acceptance processes.
- Cabin configuration choices (interim vs. final) are common when airlines accept whitetail or quickly available aircraft; later reconfiguration allows airlines to optimize seat count and classes for yield management. CAPA’s note that the D2-TER layout is interim warns readers that published seat counts may change.
What’s next? Industry outlook
- Operational roll-out: Expect phased entry into scheduled services (e.g., São Paulo route) as crew training and regulatory acceptance finish. Watch for TAAG schedule updates and OAG/GDS entries.
- Further deliveries: Two more 787s remain on order; their delivery timing will shape TAAG’s ability to retire older 777s and expand network offerings.
- Reconfiguration & revenue strategy: If TAAG reconfigures the aircraft from interim layouts, that could indicate a tailored premium product for medium-long routes, an area investors and analysts will monitor.
Primary sources
- Aviation Week (AWIN), TAAG’s Second 787 Arrives Amid Re-Fleeting Program, Alan Dron, Oct 2, 2025.
- ch-aviation, Boeing fast-tracks delivery of TAAG Angola’s second B787-9, Oct 2025.
- CAPA / Centre for Aviation, TAAG receives the second 787-9, Oct 2, 2025.
- Boeing newsroom, TAAG Angola Airlines to Renew Fleet with Boeing 787 Dreamliners, Oct 10, 2023; TAAG takes delivery of its first 787, Jan 31, 2025.
- Flight tracking & registry (Flightradar24 / aviation.flights / planespotters), registration D2-TER (MSN 66913) flight activity.
