Boeing's fuel-efficient composite widebody for long-haul routes.
First flight
2009
Category
Wide-body jet
Seating
242–330 passengers (variant dependent)
Range
Up to 13,620 km (787-9)
Engines
Two turbofans: GEnx-1B (GE) or Trent 1000 (Rolls-Royce)
Status
In production
The Boeing 787 Dreamliner is a long-haul, wide-body twin-engine jet airliner developed by Boeing Commercial Airplanes. It was the first commercial aircraft to make extensive use of composite materials—accounting for approximately 50% of its primary structure by weight—resulting in significant weight savings and improved fuel efficiency compared to previous-generation aircraft.
The 787 family includes three main variants: the 787-8, 787-9, and 787-10, offering varying capacities and ranges to suit different airline missions. The aircraft features advanced aerodynamics, large raked wingtips, highly efficient turbofan engines, and a cabin designed for improved passenger comfort, including higher cabin pressure, better humidity levels, and larger windows with electrochromic dimming.
The program faced significant development delays and a temporary grounding in 2013 due to lithium-ion battery issues, but the aircraft has since become one of Boeing's best-selling widebodies. It entered service with All Nippon Airways in October 2011 and has been ordered by airlines worldwide for both long-haul and point-to-point routes.
Notable operators
Major operators include All Nippon Airways, Japan Airlines, United Airlines, American Airlines, Emirates, Qatar Airways, Ethiopian Airlines, and Singapore Airlines.
Notable facts
›Approximately 50% of the primary structure is made from carbon-fiber-reinforced composite materials.
›The 787 was the first commercial aircraft to use a composite fuselage in large barrel sections.
›Cabin altitude is maintained at 6,000 ft equivalent rather than the typical 8,000 ft, improving passenger comfort.
›The 787 program suffered major delays totaling over three years beyond its original 2008 entry-into-service target.
›Electrochromic windows allow passengers and crew to dim windows without physical shades.
This profile is AI-generated for general information only. Specifications may be inaccurate or vary by variant/operator — verify with the manufacturer before relying on them.
Encyclopaedia
The Boeing 787 Dreamliner, often shortened to Boeing 787, is an American wide-body airliner developed and manufactured by Boeing Commercial Airplanes. After dropping its unconventional Sonic Cruiser project, Boeing announced the conventional 7E7 on January 29, 2003, which focused largely on efficiency. The program was launched on April 26, 2004, with an order for 50 aircraft from All Nippon Airways (ANA), targeting a 2008 introduction. On July 8, 2007, a prototype 787 without major operating systems was rolled out; subsequently the aircraft experienced multiple delays, until its maiden flight on December 15, 2009. Type certification was received in August 2011, and the first 787-8 was delivered in September 2011 and entered commercial service in October 2011, with ANA.