Boeing Dreamliner often flies shorter routes despite long-haul capabilities

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.