Flight Friday: In-Production Widebody Passenger Aircraft Utilization

This week’s Flight Friday looks at current in-production widebody passenger aircraft utilization in contrast with their pre-pandemic utilization rates.

Signs emerged prior to the pandemic of softening within the widebody sector. Operators were looking at the low operating seat costs of an Airbus A321LR/XLR, which is comparable to a twin-aisle aircraft, but offers the operator a lot more flexibility in terms of pilots, airports, and hub-to-point or even point-to-point air services.

However, we have seen a recent run of orders for widebody aircraft. In 2023 alone, we have more than 400 A330neo, A350, Boeing 787 and 777-9 (777X) passenger aircraft ordered. On top of that, there have been 10 cargo aircraft orders (plus 15 KC-46s, if anyone is counting).

Widebody passenger utilization struggled post-pandemic, with international borders closed. However, we can see from the data that average monthly utilization is returning to levels seen in 2019.

The A330neo is enjoying its highest monthly average utilization. However, this comes as the platform has matured into service and operates well on those routes for which it is designed— think trips across the Atlantic.

The bigger, more “range-capable” sister, the A350, is at an average of 350 hr. per aircraft per month, which is approximately 10% below good 2019 utilization months. With some international routes still to open—the China-U.S. connection being a good example—the A350 still has room to move up.

The 787 is also approaching the 350 hr. per month marker. Boeing, however, has issues with some of their 787s, and a prolonged delivery pause has not helped the fleet, either. However, in 2019 the utilization was only around 350 hr. per month, so it could be seen that the 787 has returned to base-level usage.