Quantcast

American Airlines highlights role of fast Dreamliner fleet amid network growth

Delta Air Lines bets on ‘blended-wing’ flight to reduce emissions
Delta crash passengers should take the $30,000 payment, their lawyers say. Here’s why.
Budget airline launches new cheap flights to one of the UK’s top winter sun destinations
Brazilian airline Azul to go 'back to basics' after challenging 2024
Airlines cancel flights as air travel to ‘grind to complete halt’ this week ahead of major strike action in Europe
Dramatic moment American Airlines plane diverted to Rome is escorted by fighter jets after mid-air bomb threat
Jetstar Faces Major Backlash as Nationwide System Outage Causes Travel Chaos, Stranding Passengers and Disrupting Flights Across the Australian Airline Industry
Sudden oil supply outages creating turbulence for airline industry
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
Southwest bends further to activist shareholder Elliott's demands
Downgraded on a flight? Take these simple but important steps to get your money back
Delta Offers Over $2 Million to CRJ Crash Passengers
Boeing Delays Continue for Alaska, Hawaiian
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
American Airlines highlights role of fast Dreamliner fleet amid network growth
Policy
Webp 3
Robert D. Isom, CEO and President | American Airlines

American Airlines’ fastest aircraft is the Boeing 787, which can reach speeds up to 593 mph. This makes it the second-fastest widely used commercial aircraft after the Boeing 747-8, a type not operated by American Airlines.

The airline’s fleet includes both the Boeing 787-8 and 787-9 variants. According to The Museum of Flight, the top speed for the 787-8 is up to 593 mph, while the 787-9 reaches a maximum of 567 mph. Currently, American Airlines operates 37 Boeing 787-8s—the largest operator of this type globally—and 26 Boeing 787-9s, with plans to add another 26 of the latter in coming years.

Recent updates to American’s Boeing 787-9s have focused on premium cabin configurations, reflecting growing demand for business class and premium economy seating on long-haul routes. The new premium-heavy configuration debuted commercially in June 2025 between Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). Passengers on this inaugural flight received goodie bags along with a note from Heather Garboden, Chief Customer Officer at American Airlines:

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.

“We’re excited that you are part of the beginning of this plane’s journey. Everything you see on board today was designed with you in mind: from the design details to Bluetooth connectivity to state-of-the-art entertainment, your comfort is our priority.”

American uses its Boeing 787 fleet primarily for international long-haul flights departing from major U.S. hubs such as Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), Chicago O’Hare (ORD), Philadelphia International Airport (PHL), Miami International Airport (MIA), Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), and New York John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK). These aircraft serve destinations including London Heathrow Airport (LHR), Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND), São Paulo Guarulhos International Airport (GRU), Frankfurt Airport (FRA), Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG), Madrid Barajas Airport (MAD), Delhi Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL), Doha Hamad International Airport (DOH), Santiago de Chile Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport (SCL), Auckland Airport (AKL) and Brisbane Airport (BNE).

In early July through October and into January next year, new or existing routes featuring these upgraded aircraft include ORD-LHR starting July 5th, PHL-LHR beginning October 25th, DFW-AKL launching January 5th, DFW-BNE starting October 25th, DFW-EZE beginning October 26th, and DFW-LHR also commencing October 26th.

In February of last year, one of American’s Boeing 787-9s set a record for fastest subsonic flight thanks to powerful jet streams reaching up to about 265 mph. The plane achieved ground speeds exceeding 840 mph while operating Flight AA120 from Philadelphia to Doha.

The Boeing 787 entered service in October 2011 with All Nippon Airways as launch customer. Since then nearly 1,200 units have been delivered across three main versions: -8, -9 and -10. All Nippon Airways remains the largest operator worldwide followed by United Airlines and American Airlines.

Despite commercial success for airlines using it on long-range flights—including being among those quickest available—the model has faced challenges such as delivery delays due to quality control issues raised by the Federal Aviation Administration in January 2021; deliveries resumed only after more than eighteen months in August 2022.

Safety records remained strong until June 2025 when Air India Flight 171 crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International bound for London Gatwick; all but one person onboard perished along with several people on the ground.

Among commercial jets still flying faster than any Dreamliner is the Boeing 747-8—with top speeds up to 706 mph. However only a handful remain active with Lufthansa operating nineteen examples plus Korean Air seven and Air China five.

Looking ahead following record revenues reported for Q2 2025—$14.4 billion—CEO Robert Isom stated:

“American delivered record revenue in an evolving demand environment in the second quarter thanks to the hard work and dedication of our team. We remain confident that the actions we have taken over the past several years to refresh our fleet, manage costs and strengthen our balance sheet position us well for the future. The investments we have made toward achieving our revenue potential, including bolstering our network, customer experience and loyalty program, are paying off, and the team remains focused on delivering on our long-term strategy.”

The airline says enhancing customer experience remains a key goal going forward—with its updated Dreamliners expected play an important role serving some of its most prestigious global routes.

Organizations Included in this History
More News

Emirates Airlines has highlighted the evolution of its cabin crew uniform, emphasizing its commitment to timeless design and practicality.

Oct 23, 2025

Emirates has achieved the Gold Tier status in the 2024 Fly Quiet Programme at New York’s JFK Airport, making it the only airline to receive this distinction among all participating carriers.

Oct 23, 2025

Flying Food Group, Inc. has announced the recipients of its 2025 scholarships, with all five applicants receiving awards this year.

Oct 23, 2025

Dnata, a global provider of air and travel services, has entered into a joint venture with Azerbaijan’s Silk Way Group to launch ground handling and cargo operations at Alat International Airport, located in the Alat Free Economic Zone in Baku.

Oct 22, 2025

Delta Air Lines has announced the release of version 7.5 of its mobile app, introducing new features aimed at making travel planning and management easier for customers during the holiday season.

Oct 22, 2025

The Fair Work Commission has ruled that a former employee of dnata Airport Services was unfairly dismissed and awarded $36,468.39 in compensation.

Oct 22, 2025