SEATTLE— Two decades after its turbulent debut, Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner has emerged as the defining long-haul aircraft of the 2020s. Once synonymous with production delays and technical mishaps, the jet is now entrenched as the backbone of international fleets, with Japan’s All Nippon Airways (NH) continuing to hold the world’s largest 787 fleet.
Boeing introduced the Dreamliner with bold promises: a composite fuselage, lower fuel burn, and the ability to connect secondary cities directly across oceans. The program represented a sharp departure from rival Airbus’s vision. While Airbus doubled down on hub-to-hub flying with the double-decker A380, Boeing staked its future on point-to-point travel with smaller, fuel-efficient twinjets.
That bet paid off. As global travel patterns shifted—particularly in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic—demand favored aircraft capable of flexible, economical operations. The A380 was ultimately discontinued, while the 787 became the centerpiece of many global airlines’ long-haul strategies.
A Rocky Start
The Dreamliner’s journey to prominence was anything but smooth. Development stretched years past Boeing’s original timeline, as suppliers and engineers wrestled with the challenges of building a largely composite airframe. The jet’s first years in service were marred by well-publicized issues, from lithium-ion battery fires to engine durability concerns.
These setbacks resulted in global groundings, dented airline schedules, and a reputation that mixed admiration with frustration. “Production delays, technical challenges, and grounding incidents clouded the jet’s entry into service,” Visual Approach reported.
Confidence in the program wavered further as Boeing was forced to halt assembly at times to address quality concerns. But airlines persisted, drawn by the aircraft’s efficiency gains compared to older widebodies.
Economic Resilience
Despite its bumpy start, the 787 has proven a resilient financial asset. Market appraisals show that lease rates and residual values for the Dreamliner remain consistently strong, particularly for the 787-10, the largest variant. Lessors and investors continue to treat the type as a safe long-term bet.
“Visual Approach research data shows that the 787-10, the largest variant, has maintained strong values and lease rates,” according to the report. The trend underscores the industry’s recognition that airlines are unlikely to turn away from twin-engine widebodies in an era of high fuel prices and environmental scrutiny.
The World’s Top 787 Operators
In 2025, the world’s leading Dreamliner operators reflect a mix of early adopters and growth-focused carriers. All Nippon Airways, which served as Boeing’s launch customer, tops the list with 83 aircraft. Its fleet is split between the -8 and -9 models, with a smaller number of -10s.
Qatar Airways (QR) and United Airlines (UA) also rank among the top three, with both carriers continuing to expand their Dreamliner fleets. United’s lineup leans heavily on the -9 and -10, while Qatar maintains a preference for the -9.
Other major operators include:
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Japan Airlines (JL): Balanced between the -8 and -9, but without -10s.
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American Airlines (AA): Strong emphasis on the higher-capacity 787-10 for long-haul trunk routes.
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Hainan Airlines (HU): While still a top-25 operator, it remains the only one in that group without new orders.
The geographic breakdown highlights distinct strategic approaches. Asian carriers such as ANA and JAL continue to favor the smaller variants, valuing flexibility for dense regional networks and thinner long-haul routes. By contrast, U.S. airlines like American are turning to the -10 to maximize capacity on transatlantic and transpacific services.
Legacy of a Troubled Program
What began as one of Boeing’s most troubled developments has ultimately reshaped global air travel. The Dreamliner redefined passenger expectations with higher cabin humidity, quieter engines, and larger windows. More importantly for airlines, it delivered the economics needed to make long, thin routes viable.
“The Dreamliner did not achieve dominance overnight, but through persistence, airline adoption, and market alignment, it became the aircraft that redefined long-haul travel,” Visual Approach concluded.
From grounded fleets to becoming the workhorse of modern international travel, the Boeing 787’s legacy is one of resilience. Its rise underscores a central truth in aviation: even the most ambitious designs must first endure turbulence before they can soar.
