Alerts Sign-up
The Boeing 787 'Dreamliner' family has become a cornerstone of modern long-
haul travel, with nearly 1,200 units delivered since its entry into service
over a decade ago. Comprising three variants designed for different loads and
Wizz Air becomes first airline to operate P&W-powered Airbus A321XLR jet
Hawaiian Airlines’ new ‘no show’ policy may make travel more expensive
BLIMP-SE OF THE FUTURE Luxury zeppelins of the future from ‘flying bum’ world’s largest aircraft to Google billionaire’s ‘impossible’ airship
Swiss Startup SmartFlyer Develops Hybrid-Electric Trainer
San Francisco-based entrepreneur takes a trip on India's worst-rated airline, his reaction will surprise you
First-Time Flyer at 81: A Grandmother's Memorable Journey
Global Airlines Launches Inaugural Flight, Aiming to Revive 'Golden Age of Travel'
Winning routes: American Airlines adds more than 22,000 seats for football fans following release of 2025–2026 pro schedule
Boeing scores Middle East plane deal during Trump visit
Air travel will be ‘worse’ this summer, lawmakers warn — as FAA gives infuriating update on system fixes, staffing issues
United Airlines CEO Reassures Passengers About Newark Airport Safety
American Testing Tech to Help Passengers Make Connecting Flights
British Airways to use AI in efforts to improve operations
American Airlines Tests New Tech to Help Passengers With Tight Connections During Summer Rush
Flight Diverted After Pregnant Woman on Board Goes into Labor and Delivers Her Baby: Report
United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby says "this is the most optimistic I've been in my entire career about finally getting the FAA fixed"
U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy Unveils Plan to Build Brand New, State-of-the-Art Air Traffic Control System
Passenger rushing for next flight can't believe what woman next to her does
Why fuel price crash won’t make flying cheaper
Kristi Noem says travelers without Real ID will still be able to fly after deadline
Frontier Airlines Announces New Routes Launching This Summer, Connecting Baltimore With Chicago O’Hare and Trenton, N.J. With Myrtle Beach, S.C.
Airlines in North America prioritize investments in cyber, AI
The evolution of the airline uniform — a cross check
Global Airlines & HiFly Operate 1st Passenger Airbus A380 Flight Between Barcelona And Berlin
American Airlines unveils ritzy new plane suites launching this summer
Airline Stocks To Keep An Eye On - April 28th
Gatwick Airport Faces Potential Strikes
50 New Routes Starting In May 2025
Report: JetBlue, United Mulling Partnership
New First-Class Suites, Futuristic Aircraft and the Top Air Travel News From April 2025
Development challenges shaped Boeing's revolutionary Dreamliner
Policy
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.
ranges, the 787 is now a common sight at major intercontinental hub airports,
serving both full-service and low-cost carriers.
While the Dreamliner first flew in 2009 and entered service in 2011, its story
began much earlier. As a clean-sheet design rather than an update of an
existing jet, it had an extensive development timeline before taking to the
skies. To understand its origins, one must look back to the early 21st
century.
Conceptualizing the Boeing 787
At the turn of the century, airlines were rethinking their long-haul fleet
strategies due to various factors. Boeing observed slowing sales for its
existing 747 and 767 widebody jetliners and sought to develop a new twin-aisle
commercial aircraft amid post-9/11 market disruptions.
As Inceptone notes, "given th financial predicament faced in th aftermath of
th September 11th attacks as demand fell, as well as increased fuel prices,
airlines around th world were generally looking for new aircraft to favor
efficiency over speed." With this context, Boeing conceptualized a mid-sized
widebody twinjet drawing on technology from a previous project known as the
Sonic Cruiser.
Initially called the 7E7 and announced in 2003, this jet aimed at point-to-
point flying rather than traditional hub-and-spoke models. In June that year,
Boeing decided that composites would be th primary material for th aircraft --
its first all-new design since th777.
According to Inceptone,"the summer of2003 also saw Boeing choose'Dreamliner'as
th name for its new family of widebody twinjet aircraft following an online
vote that received more than half a million votes." Other names considered
included eLiner Global Cruiser and Stratoclimber The announcement was made at
the Paris Air Show.
Making it happen
A significant development occurred later in2003 when Boeing selected its
Everett facility for final assembly Despite being named'Dreamliner'the model
name remained7E7 ANA placed an order for50aircraftin April2004 marking th first
order
Organizations Included in this History
More News
Long Beach Airport has announced a new daily nonstop service to Baltimore Washington International (BWI) through Southwest Airlines.
Lidl workers in Belgium initiated a strike and blockades on June 5, following similar actions in France and Italy.
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.
National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) President and CEO Ed Bolen addressed the U.S. House Aviation Subcommittee, emphasizing the urgent need to reform the nation's air traffic control (ATC) infrastructure.
Last month, over 130 volunteers from Delta Air Lines and several partner organizations collaborated to construct a new playground in College Park, Georgia.
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.
Trending
