Boeing 787 Series Aircraft Deployment During Fridays

The Boeing 787, a pioneer in the aviation industry for its greener credentials, has remained a robust choice for airlines over the past five years. According to data compiled using Aviation Week's Tracked Aircraft Utilization tool, the 787 fleet has shown a remarkable resilience, with operators continuing to find appeal in its eco-friendly features.

As of 2023, the workhorse of the 787 fleet is undoubtedly the 787-9, accounting for almost 60% of total flight hours. This versatile aircraft completed 53% of all 787 flights in the year. The 787-9's dominance is expected to continue, with over 600 units still on order, which accounts for around 75% of the outstanding 787 orderbook.

The 787-10, the latest addition to the family, has a smaller in-service fleet but boasts a healthy orderbook of over 170 aircraft, representing 20% of the outstanding orderbook. However, the 787-10 accounts for less than 10% of total flights.

The 787-8, the first model to market, has seen a decline in its usage over the years. By early 2023, 787-8 utilization was at similar levels to 2019, accounting for 38% of all 787 flights during the year. Three of the retired 787-8 aircraft are on display at the Museum of Flight in Seattle, the Pima Air and Space Museum in Tucson, Arizona, and Nagoya, Japan.

Interestingly, all seven retired 787s are 787-8 models. As the 787-8 approaches its peak, 13 years after the first 787-8 was delivered to All Nippon Airways, three of the remaining aircraft have been torn down. The latest announcement is for the teardown of 787-8 line number 17, belonging to American Airlines, making it the fourth 787 to undergo this process.

The Boeing 787 has proven to be a game-changer in the aviation industry, offering a more fuel-efficient and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional aircraft. With a robust utilization rate and a promising future, the 787 fleet continues to set the standard for sustainable aviation.