Boeing maintains focus on established freighters as Airbus advances with new A350F

A significant factor influencing Boeing's decision not to develop a 787 freighter so far is that its existing freighter options continue to sell well. The market for new widebody freighters is relatively small—Airbus only sells one (the A350F), while Boeing offers two (the 767-300F and upcoming 777-8F). Introducing a new variant like a hypothetical "787F" would create overlap in size with these established models.

Another consideration is that fuel efficiency—a hallmark feature of newer aircraft like the Dreamliner—is less critical for many cargo airlines compared to purchase price or logistical compatibility. Cargo carriers typically operate fewer flights per day than passenger airlines and often fly shorter routes. As a result, savings from improved fuel efficiency may not offset higher acquisition costs for an all-new model like a potential 787 freighter.

There are also operational challenges tied to replacing current fleets with larger aircraft. For example, although the Boeing 787-8 is technically Boeing’s smallest passenger widebody today, it is significantly larger than the aging but still popular 767-300F in terms of wingspan and length. Many airports have infrastructure tailored specifically for smaller aircraft like the 767; introducing larger planes could reduce ramp capacity at busy hubs.

Despite these factors, production of the Boeing 767-300F is scheduled to end in 2027. When this happens, there may be increased pressure on Boeing to introduce a new mid-size cargo option—potentially paving the way for a future Dreamliner-based freighter model.

On Airbus’s side, after ending production of previous models such as the A330-200F—which saw limited sales—the company introduced the A350F positioned between its other two variants in size but targeting replacement demand for large-capacity jets like aging Boeing 747s rather than competing directly with smaller models like those based on the old A330 or current-generation Boeing widebodies.

If launched eventually by Boeing, any future Dreamliner-based cargo plane would likely serve different segments than either existing or planned Airbus offerings. Until then, industry observers expect continued reliance on established types until evolving market needs justify investment in new designs.