Quantcast

Boeing Dreamliner often flies shorter routes despite long-haul capabilities

Southwest's layoffs dent its worker-first culture
Abu Dhabi's long-haul carrier Etihad Airways sees record $476 million profit in 2024
Jet2 warns of profits squeeze from rising costs and late bookings
Hong Kong Airlines launches daily Sydney flights
Airline to launch new bunk beds in economy on long-haul flights next year
How Airline Employees Are Coping After Deadly Washington Crash
Major airline reverses in-flight menu change amid outcry
British Airways frequent flyer scheme changes: everything you need to know
Airline introduces world-first hand luggage ban on popular travel gadget
Air Canada Delays Boeing 767 Reentry
Flight Centre tips ‘price war’ as first direct Melbourne to LA Delta flights go on sale
FAA reverses course on meeting prohibition, blaming rogue employee
British Airways tweaks frequent flyer scheme after backlash
Delta flight from New York to Florida diverted to North Carolina due to ‘odor in the cabin’
EASA Certifies Safran’s First Electric Motor
US court blocks Biden administration's airline fee disclosure rule
JetBlue Issues Dim Outlook But Execs Remain Confident in Turnaround Plan
Delta to Resume Tel Aviv Flights April 1
Boeing CEO Ortberg outlines 2025 priorities after heavy losses
Storm Eowyn: Thousands of trains, flights and ferries cancelled as 100mph wind batters UK
Indian carrier long haul: IndiGo returns to profitability, plans long haul flights
These Frequent Fliers Are Done With Loyalty Programs
JetBlue accepting Venmo as payment method for flights purchased through mobile app
United Airlines stock rallies on results, as growing demand wasn’t just about premium seats
Delta Adds Another Alaska Route
Southwest to Reduce Pilot Head Count at Several Bases
Dublin Airport savings boost for holidaymakers – but passengers need to be quick
American Halts CRJ-200 Operations
Shanghai Airlines to Launch Casablanca Route
Delta employees to receive an average five weeks of pay in annual profit sharing
Boeing Dreamliner often flies shorter routes despite long-haul capabilities
Policy
Webp 5r3vc2svdh8ibaxk8gr8iutw0za2
Simple Flying | Simple Flying

Boeing's 787 Dreamliner, initially introduced as the 7E7 in January 2003, was projected to carry between 200 and 250 passengers over distances ranging from 7,000 to 8,000 nautical miles upon its entry into service in 2008. Despite this capability, the aircraft's average stage length has been notably shorter.

According to Cirium data for November schedules, airlines operated Boeing 787 flights with an average stage length of just 2,820 nautical miles. The longest average distance reported by an airline was Qantas at 6,109 nautical miles. Conversely, Shanghai Airlines recorded the shortest at merely 1,367 nautical miles.

Shanghai Airlines scheduled multiple weekly flights using the Boeing 787 within China. One of their briefest routes is from Ningbo Lishe International Airport to Shanghai Pudong International Airport at a distance of only about 80.9 nautical miles.

Get the Newsletter
Sign-up to receive weekly round up of news from Sky Industry News
By submitting, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. By providing your phone number you are opting in and consenting to receive recurring SMS/MMS messages, including automated texts, to that number from our short code. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help, STOP to end. SMS opt-in will not be sold, rented, or shared.

Japan’s domestic network also contributes to the shorter average stage lengths for the Boeing aircraft. All Nippon Airways and Japan Airlines operate numerous domestic flights with the Dreamliner. In November alone, these two carriers scheduled nearly a thousand weekly departures within Japan on this aircraft type.

Globally in November, out of approximately 14,095 total weekly flights utilizing the Boeing 787s:

- Over half were under or around mid-range distances.

- About one-fifth were between zero and two thousand nautical miles.

- A small percentage exceeded six thousand nautical miles.

These figures illustrate that while capable of long-haul journeys—such as Qantas' Perth to London route—the Boeing model frequently services shorter distances due in part to specific operational needs within regional networks like those found in Japan and parts of China.

Organizations Included in this History
More News

Delta Air Lines is expanding its flight offerings for the 2025 pro football season, introducing new routes and increasing capacity to accommodate fans traveling to major games.

Jun 6, 2025

Last month, over 130 volunteers from Delta Air Lines and several partner organizations collaborated to construct a new playground in College Park, Georgia.

Jun 6, 2025

Walking together on Omaha Beach, 19-year-old college student Caleb Walker and 101-year-old WWII veteran Jack Myers reflected on the sacrifices made during the D-Day invasion.

Jun 6, 2025

British Airways is the leading foreign long-haul airline serving the United States.

Jun 5, 2025

United Airlines has completed a deal with the Chicago Department of Aviation to acquire five additional gates at Chicago O'Hare International Airport.

Jun 5, 2025

Boeing has reached a production milestone, achieving a monthly output of 38 737 MAX aircraft for the first time since 2020.

Jun 5, 2025