Boeing 787 lands historic Antarctic flights supporting international science teams

Paul Erlandsson, a Boeing field service representative, highlighted that making the journey without refueling reduced logistical challenges related to fuel transport and storage in Antarctica.

On November 15, 2024, Norse Atlantic’s 'Everglades' Dreamliner made its second successful landing at Troll Airfield with more research personnel and equipment for both NPI and Aircontact. Mette Birkedahl, Director of Charter and ACMI at Norse Atlantic Airways stated: “Returning to Antarctica with our Dreamliner reaffirms Norse Atlantic’s ability to handle complex logistical operations. We’re proud to demonstrate the capabilities and efficiency of our aircraft and operational excellence of the Norse Atlantic charter team, from meticulous planning to precise execution, demonstrating our role as a trusted partner for missions to even the most remote destinations.”

The Norwegian Polar Institute operates under Norway's Ministry of Climate and Environment. Its activities focus on environmental management needs in polar regions including biodiversity studies, climate monitoring, geological mapping, and pollution tracking. The NPI maintains continuous operations in both Arctic and Antarctic territories through research stations such as those supplied by these flights.

Research efforts by international teams in Antarctica provide critical data for understanding global environmental changes that can affect national policy decisions.

Annually about 3,500 Americans participate in Antarctic research or support work. Women make up roughly 30% of this workforce. McMurdo Station remains the largest U.S.-operated base on the continent supporting projects funded by agencies like the National Science Foundation. The station acts as a logistics hub for other outposts such as Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station.

The Boeing 787 is notable for its advanced technology including fuel-efficient engines and lightweight materials like carbon fiber composites which lower emissions compared with older widebody jets. Its design features contribute up to a 25% reduction in fuel consumption relative to previous generations; its manufacturing facility also operates with net-zero emissions.

Despite its size—the third largest plane ever to land in Antarctica—the Dreamliner is not as large as military transports like Lockheed’s C-5 Galaxy or USAF’s C-17 Globemaster III used regularly during Operation Deep Freeze missions since mid-century.

Operation Deep Freeze is an ongoing military support effort coordinated by U.S. Transportation Command for scientific operations led by NSF across airfields like McMurdo Station each year beginning in August through November peak activity periods.The U.S Antarctic Program (USAP) encompasses all federal activities conducted on or around Antarctica including supply runs facilitated primarily by military cargo planes but also using commercial fleets if needed during emergencies.

Since transitioning from older C-141 Starlifters at bases worldwide before their retirement in late-1990s,the C-17 Globemaster III has become central for transporting cargo volumes three times greater than previous models between Christchurch (New Zealand) or Cape Town (South Africa) into McMurdo each austral summer season.Earlier milestones included early flights like “Miss North Carolina”, which began routine aerial resupply missions starting October 1956.