Boeing said on the sidelines of the Singapore Airshow that it expects deliveries of upgraded 787-9 and 787-10 Dreamliners to begin during the first half of this year. The enhancements to the two wide-body models increase their maximum takeoff weight, giving airlines the option to fly roughly an additional 400 miles (643 km) or to carry five to six more tonnes of cargo, according to Darren Hulst, Boeing's vice president of commercial marketing.
Hulst told reporters that the modified 787s are already integrated into the companys production flow and are progressing through the certification process. "Those aircraft are actually already in the production system, moving through towards certification, and we anticipate deliveries of those aircraft beginning the first half of this year," he said.
The extra takeoff weight is designed to provide operators with either extended range or increased payload, depending on their route structure and cargo needs. That flexibility affects airlines planning network adjustments or seeking to improve cargo profitability on long-haul services.
On the larger 777X program, Hulst said Boeing expects certification in the second half of the year but cautioned that the aircraft may not enter commercial service until the following year. He emphasized the distinction between regulatory approval and an aircrafts commercial debut, noting that the timing of entry into service is determined by customers and the internal steps they must complete between certification and revenue operations.
Separately, Boeing has signalled an intention to conduct the first flight of a production 777X in April, a milestone that would indicate forward progress on the jet that has been delayed in recent years. The companys timeline separates the regulatory milestone of certification from the operational choice of when customers will accept and deploy the aircraft.
Context for markets and operators
For airlines, the changes to the 787s could influence route planning, cargo strategies and fleet utilization. For Boeing, moving these updated models through production and certification is a key step in delivering value to customers and advancing longer-term jet programs such as the 777X.