Boeing 787s serve ultra-short routes globally amid strategic airline deployment

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Boeing 787s serve ultra-short routes globally amid strategic airline deployment

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Boeing 787 Dreamliner | Official Website

By Sky Industry News

Jun 19, 2025

The Boeing 787 Dreamliner, known for its long-haul capabilities, is also being used on shorter routes by several airlines in 2025. This trend reflects strategic decisions to optimize fleet utilization and meet demand in specific markets.

Qantas uses the 787-9 for long flights such as Perth to London Heathrow, a journey lasting over 17 hours. However, some airlines are deploying the Dreamliner on routes under 100 miles. According to Cirium, TUI fly Netherlands operates the shortest scheduled route this year between Curaçao Hato International Airport and Bonaire's Flamingo International Airport, just 47 miles apart. This route will utilize Boeing 787-8 Dreamliners with nearly 12,000 seats available across both directions.

Ethiopian Airlines frequently uses its Dreamliners on short regional routes in West and Central Africa. The airline’s strategy involves using these flights as part of a hub-and-spoke model to connect regional traffic to its long-haul network via stopovers.

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In the Caribbean, TUI fly Netherlands connects Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao with short-haul Dreamliner flights under 75 miles. These routes support their long-haul network centered around Amsterdam.

Qatar Airways deploys its Boeing 787 fleet on high-demand Gulf routes like Doha to Bahrain, which is only 91 miles apart. These flights cater to business links and family visits while supporting aircraft rotation and freight movement.

Major carriers in Asia and Europe also use the Dreamliner on sub-500-mile sectors between national hubs or routes with significant connecting traffic. For example, All Nippon Airways operates numerous one-way Boeing 787 flights between Osaka and Tokyo Haneda annually.

These deployments highlight how airlines strategically use the Boeing 787 not only for long-haul operations but also to enhance connectivity within their networks through shorter sectors.