Why Boeing offers two different engines on the 787 Dreamliner

Engine selection is a significant business decision for airlines. Factors include fuel burn rates, maintenance costs, environmental regulations, fleet commonality, ETOPS certification (which affects overwater flight routes), and aftermarket support agreements. For example, All Nippon Airways initially operated both engine types but later focused on upgraded Trent 1000 TEN engines after improvements in reliability. Air Canada exclusively uses GEnx-1B engines across its 787 fleet for reasons including streamlined maintenance and improved fuel economy.

Comparatively, Airbus took a single-sourcing approach with its A350 XWB by using only the Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engine. This reduced integration complexity but left Airbus vulnerable if technical issues arose with that sole supplier—a scenario seen with early corrosion problems on some Trent 1000s used by Boeing customers.

Offering dual engine options creates challenges as well as benefits. It increases program complexity since Boeing must integrate separate nacelle designs and software systems into one airframe type. Airlines operating mixed-engine fleets need distinct spare parts inventories and specialized training for each system.

Both GE and Rolls-Royce have faced technical setbacks: early durability issues affected some Trent 1000 blades while GE’s GEnx-1B required extra inspections after a mid-shaft fracture during testing in 2012. Each manufacturer has responded with upgrades; Rolls-Royce improved materials in newer versions of the Trent 1000 while GE adopted new manufacturing techniques to enhance durability.

In summary, Boeing’s dual-sourcing strategy broadened its customer base by appealing to operators loyal to either GE or Rolls-Royce while mitigating supply chain risks associated with relying on a single provider. However, this flexibility came at the cost of increased operational complexity for both Boeing and airline customers.

The experience from the Dreamliner program is likely to influence future aircraft projects as manufacturers weigh trade-offs between customer choice, risk management, engineering costs, and supply chain stability.