Astana, 22 October. Air Astana's first Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, registration EI-KZA, is undergoing factory flight tests in Charleston in the United States, where its first test flight took place on 1 October; the airline expects to put its first three such aircraft into service in 2027, Air Astana said.
Boeing is now carrying out certification procedures before delivery. According to the airline, the Dreamliners will gradually replace its long-haul Boeing 767-300ERs and open up new opportunities for its international route network.
Air Astana is leasing three Boeing 787-9s from Air Lease Corporation: the deal was announced in November 2022, when deliveries were expected from early 2025 to spring 2026. In 2024–2025, according to Orda.kz, the schedule was revised several times because of production delays at Boeing.
Aircraft first expected at the start of 2025 are now due to enter service in 2027.
Besides the leases, in November 2025 Air Astana ordered up to 15 Boeing 787-9s from Boeing: five firm orders, five options and five purchase rights, with deliveries in 2032–2035. The new aircraft will not immediately open direct flights to the US: in May 2026 the airline explained that such routes run up against overflight restrictions.
What it means: Air Astana's first long-haul Dreamliner is already flying, but at the factory and in a test programme; passengers will see these aircraft in Kazakhstan in 2027.
Who benefits: Air Astana, which will renew its long-haul fleet and be able to develop international routes, and long-haul passengers. The new aircraft do not by themselves solve the question of flights to the US.
Background: Air Astana's long-haul fleet currently consists of three Boeing 767-300ERs; Boeing called the 2025 order the largest in the airline's history.
List of sources used: Avianavigator, Equipment Finance Advisor, Orda.kz, CAPA, Aviation A2Z
Artificial intelligence was used in preparing this material.
