Qantas (QF, Sydney Kingsford Smith) has announced it will acquire eight B787-9s to replace five of its older B747-400s in use on international routes. Four of the aircraft will arrive during the carrier's 2018 financial year - July 1, 2017 to June 30, 2018 - with the remainder due the following year - July 1, 2018 to June 30, 2019.

The jets consist of five firmed options and three of Jetstar Airways' remaining B787-8 order slots that have been converted to -9s.

The Australian carrier's agreement with Boeing (BOE, Washington National) in 2005 entailed forty-five firm B787s with twenty options plus purchase rights for an additional fifty aircraft. Qantas had intended to take on a fleet of thirty-five B787-9s but cancelled the order in 2012 on account of then financial difficulties.

Following this week's announcement, Qantas' B787 order book now stands at thirty purchase rights (for delivery from 2017 through to 2025) and fifteen options (for delivery from 2020 through to 2025).

Jetstar is currently the only operator of the B787 in the Qantas Group employing a fleet of ten -8s on flights throughout Australia as well as to Hawaii, Indonesia, Japan, Thailand, and Singapore.