Airline Operations on Friday: Focus on Boeing 787 Series Aircraft

In a significant development for the aviation industry, Boeing has announced its fourth teardown of a Boeing 787 aircraft. This time, the focus is on the Boeing 787-8, which was the first model of the Dreamliner to take to the skies.

As of now, there are over 40 787-8s currently on order, according to data compiled using Aviation Week's Tracked Aircraft Utilization tool. However, three of the remaining 787 aircraft have already been torn down, with the latest announcement being for line number 17.

The first 787-8 was delivered to All Nippon Airways 13 years ago, and the 787-8 is nearing its peak. By early 2023, 787-8 utilization was at levels similar to 2019, accounting for 38% of all 787 flights during that year.

Three of the retired 787-8s are on display at the Museum of Flight in Seattle, the Pima Air and Space Museum in Tucson, Arizona, and Nagoya, Japan. The aircraft scheduled for teardown in the next step is named "Adaptive Emergency Transport for Humanitarian Evacuation & Response" (AETHER).

While the 787-8 is taking its final bow, the 787-9 and 787-10 are still going strong. The 787-9, which was first introduced in 2014, is currently the workhorse of the 787 fleet, accounting for over 70% of the total 787 orderbook. In 2023, the 787-9 completed 53% of all 787 flights, accounting for almost 60% of total flight hours.

On the other hand, the 787-10, introduced later, has a smaller in-service fleet and accounted for less than 10% of total flights in 2023. However, it still has a healthy orderbook of 170+ aircraft, representing 20% of the outstanding 787 orderbook.

As of now, over 600 787-9 aircraft are still on order, which is around 75% of the outstanding 787 orderbook. This indicates that the Boeing 787 fleet will continue to play a significant role in the aviation industry for years to come, with the 787-9 and 787-10 being the mainstays.

The utilization of Boeing 787s has remained relatively strong over the last five years. In 2023, the 787-8s accounted for more than a third of total flight hours, demonstrating their continued importance in the fleet.

As the Boeing 787-8 takes its final flight, it leaves behind a legacy of innovation and efficiency. Its teardown will provide valuable insights into the design and performance of the Dreamliner, offering a unique opportunity for engineers and aviation enthusiasts alike.