Mongolian Airlines has indicated that it has secured the delivery of a Boeing 787-9, with the aircraft due to arrive on long-term lease in 2021. The widebody jet has been earmarked for the carrier’s first long-haul flights to the United States. The 787 is the flagship aircraft of Boeing and is often seen as a direct competitor to the Airbus A350.

With the arrival of the 787-9, Mongolian Airlines (MIAT) plans to launch long haul services to the US. While details of this are still sketchy, the airline has indicated it is in the process of obtaining the necessary permissions to launch service when the Dreamliner arrives.

In terms of configuration for the 787-9, reports indicate that the jetliner will feature 313 seats. These will comprise 16 in business class, 21 in premium economy, and 276 in economy. While the carrier’s current business class on board its 767s offers a slightly odd 2-1-2 configuration with not-quite lie-flat seats, this low number of business class on the 787-9 offers an opportunity to step up their game.

In total, Mongolian Airlines currently operates two Boeing 767-300 aircraft, both of which they own outright. It also leases four Boeing 737-800s from ALC Blarney Aircraft, Avolon, Macquarie AirFinance, and Wings Capital Partners, according to CH-Aviation. The airline also has four 737 MAX 8s on order, one of which was delivered earlier this year but is currently grounded. (Simple Flying)