Is A New Boeing 787 Coming?

The Boeing 787 remains one of the most successful widebodies ever launched, with many airlines purchasing jets from the program.

So, based on that success, will Boeing build a new iteration of the widebody jet sometime in the future?

The Birth Of The 787

The launch of the 787 represented a leap in Boeing’s innovation and a direct focus towards the future, as greater emphasis was placed on leveraging next-generation technologies.

After thorough and lengthy studies, the aircraft was born as a revolutionary widebody designed to take the 21st century by storm and, as a result, bring in considerable orders for new aircraft.

Stepping away from the conventional designs of commercial aircraft, the Dreamliner looked to slash weight and find ways to implement composite materials in the fuselage, along with other engine improvements, to bring truckloads of fuel efficiency.

Thanks to all these enhancements, Boeing was able to show what the future could look like. From this moment forward, the reliance on quad-engined planes began to reduce as the versatile nature of the 787 meant it became the preferred choice even with a capacity reduction.

The Boeing 787 In 2025

The 787 will remain an industry leader in 2025 due to its versatility and ease of integration into worldwide airline operations.

Despite the program’s struggles, the backlog is also incredibly strong, which means deliveries can be expected to continue long into the 2030s.

That order backlog was strengthened following Qatar Airways’ order of 130+ units and Etihad Airways’ commitment to the 787 Dreamliner in a bid to elevate its long-haul fleet moving forward.

Many other international airlines have recently purchased the aircraft and are interested in its services.

Despite all the flaws that Boeing has experienced, which have put it under a fine microscope, the innovation visible through the 787 program still stands out today, and its performance metrics mean it remains an efficient option for airlines worldwide.

Therefore, in 2025 and likely beyond, the 787’s presence across the industry, but especially within Boeing, isn’t expected to decline; it should strengthen as Boeing aims to see its restrictions eased.

Thanks to this, the 787 will solidify its position as one of the most successful wide-body jets ever produced. The room would always be present to enhance that platform further, but it would not be implemented immediately unless required.

It isn’t uncommon for program evolutions to occur more at the end of life for the initial platform. The planemaker also attempts these evolutions to revive interest in the program. Not all endeavours work, but some succeed if the market exists.

A Possible 787 Freighter?

While a possible re-engine of the 787 or a complete overhaul of the aircraft is not likely anytime soon, several recent discussions have focused on developing a dedicated freighter.

Boeing has a firm grip on the freighter market for some time. However, there is always interest in growing this, especially with the emerging threat from Airbus, which aims to compete more effectively.

Led by comments from Dave Calhoun, the former Boeing CEO, and as reported by leading trade publications such as Bloomberg, the freighter was one of the many options being considered by the plane maker.

Boeing knows it won’t be permitted to continue producing other older-generation freight planes, as it needs to comply with emission rules worldwide.

As Boeing seeks to expand its portfolio of commercial aircraft, focusing on freight operations, it must also be mindful of replacement efforts.

The 777F replacement is the newly announced 777-8F, which should enter service in the latter stages of this decade. However, the current industry market for a Boeing 787 freighter appears more mixed.

On the one hand, the surge in cargo demand experienced during the pandemic has plateaued across specific locations, leading freight companies to scale back their expectations.

Meanwhile, for other markets, growth continues, which companies are attempting to capitalise on.

There has also been a generalised scaling back of cargo operations across some operators, and there are positives to take from this. FedEx has been able to retire aging fleet types in favour of more efficient jets.

The Boeing 767F has performed well in this environment, efficiently meeting cargo needs. However, its long-term vision is different from that of a 787 freighter.

What’s Next For The 787?

What’s next for the Boeing 787 remains the billion-dollar question, but for now, an answer isn’t immediately required as the planemaker has other ambitions, such as stabilising itself as a business further amid turbulent times.

Additionally, and more importantly, it remains crucial for the company to have the existing aircraft certified before further developing the 787.

Even more focus should be placed on the structure of its next commercial airliner, which will be a clean sheet.

Depending on how Boeing powers its future aircraft, constructing wings and utilising engines will play a role in any future work on the 787.

While the concept may remain, the execution may not be as simple as a re-engine, as seen with other endeavours, or even a slight wing refinement.

Either way, there continues to be a market for the 787, and airlines will eventually need a replacement, but not yet.

What that is remains too far away, but there are constant discussions about the new era of flight, and those studies continue to help us understand the future.

More Information On The Boeing 787

Will Boeing Release A Dedicated Freighter Variant?

Boeing has yet to release a dedicated freighter version for the Dreamliner; however, comments from Dave Calhoun and Bloomberg suggest that it was once studied as an option for future freighter needs.

How Many Orders Does The 787 Have?

Boeing’s Dreamliner has received over 2,000 orders, and this number continues to grow. Boeing has also already delivered over 1,100 aircraft.

Who Is The Largest 787 Operator?

ANA is the largest operator of the 787. The Japanese carrier heavily relies on the widebody aircraft, which are currently being delivered in over eighty units.

This is followed by United Airlines and then American Airlines. The Dreamliner will play a crucial role in many U.S carriers’ fleets in the coming decades as these businesses rely on the flexibility and versatility for their operations over high-capacity jets such as the 777-9 or A350-1000.