The Boeing 787-9 offers several advantages over the older 777-200. Its range reaches up to 7,565 nautical miles, compared with the standard 777-200's range of about 5,240 nautical miles and the extended-range variant's range of roughly 7,065 nautical miles. The Dreamliner can also operate from a wider variety of airports due to its shorter takeoff run.
As a newer model, the Dreamliner is built with composite materials and delivers improved fuel efficiency—up to a reported 25% better than some older jets it replaces. Many airlines already have infrastructure in place for training and maintenance on the Dreamliner family.
However, there are notable differences between the two aircraft families. The various versions of the Boeing 777 offer higher seating capacities than the largest Dreamliner; for example, even the smallest two-class configuration for a 777 exceeds that of a comparable Dreamliner. This means airlines may need more aircraft or accept reduced capacity if they switch to the Dreamliner.
Cargo operators face additional challenges because while there is a freighter version of the Boeing 777 (the 777F), there is no such option currently available for the Dreamliner.
The phase-out of older widebody jets extends beyond just the Boeing 777 series. The final passenger version of the Boeing 767 was delivered in 2014; today it remains in production only as a freighter or military variant. With most passenger models expected to retire by around 2030, airlines like United will likely consider replacing them with newer models such as the Dreamliner or alternatives from Airbus like the A330neo or A350.
US carriers have not shown much interest in ordering the new Boeing 777X despite its large size and capabilities. Instead, demand has come mainly from European airlines such as Lufthansa that require larger planes for concentrated long-haul routes.
Production delays have further hampered enthusiasm for this model among potential buyers in North America. Kelly Ortberg, CEO at Boeing, told Leeham News: “We’re going through the flight test program, and we’re planning to get the certification done towards the end of this year or early next year, so we can start the delivery. The challenge is we’ve got to get through the certification here on the Dash 9 to start delivering these things to our customers.”
Despite these challenges facing some models, recent operations demonstrate ongoing innovation with current widebodies like the Dreamliner. In November 2023 Norse Atlantic Airways used a Boeing 787 on flights into Antarctica carrying scientists and research equipment—a testament to both crew skills and aircraft capability.
Bjørn Tore Larsen, CEO of Norse Atlantic Airways commented after one such mission: "In the spirit of exploration, we are proud to have a hand in this important and unique mission. It is a true testament to our highly trained and skilled pilots and crew, and our state-of-the-art Boeing aircraft."
This operation marked another milestone for modern widebody jets operating under extreme conditions.
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