Specifications
- Manufacturer
- Boeing
- ICAO / IATA code
- B789 / 789
- First flight
- 17 September 2013
- Entered service
- 7 August 2014, with Air New Zealand
- Status
- In production
- Engines
- 2 × GE Aerospace GEnx-1B or Rolls-Royce Trent 1000
- Thrust per engine
- 347.5 kN
- Range
- 15,370 km (8,299 nmi)
- Cruise speed
- Mach 0.85
- Length
- 62.8 m
- Wingspan
- 60.1 m
- Height
- 17 m
- Max take-off weight
- 259.2 t
Seats and cabin layout
Boeing quotes 250–325 seats in a typical 2-class layout. The type certificate allows at most 420 passengers — the exit limit, which no airline with a premium cabin comes near.
Boeing’s reference layout
Drawn by Orbit from the figures in Boeing 787 Airplane Characteristics for Airport Planning (D6-58333 Rev Q, Oct 2025), §2.1.2 and §2.4.1 Interior Arrangements – Typical, §2.5.1 Cabin Cross-Sections. Typical, not any airline’s seat map — your flight may differ. Nose on the left.
- Business
- Economy
What the biggest operators fit
| Airline | Cabins | Seats |
|---|---|---|
| All Nippon Airways | 40 business · 14 premium economy · 192 economy | 246 |
From each airline’s own seat or fleet page. Airlines often fly more than one version of a type; this is the one they publish.
Which airlines fly the 787-9
The largest fleets of this variant. Counts move as aircraft are delivered and retired, so each carries the date it describes.
Safety record
No 787-9 had been written off or involved in a fatal accident as of 6 October 2026. The complete record, minor incidents included, is kept by the Aviation Safety Network.
Asked and answered
How many seats does the Boeing 787-9 have?
Boeing quotes 250 to 325 seats in a typical two-class layout, and EASA certifies it for up to 420 passengers. Airline cabins vary widely: one of ANA's international versions has 246 seats (40 business, 14 premium economy, 192 economy).
Which airlines fly the 787-9?
The biggest fleets belong to United Airlines, All Nippon Airways, Etihad Airways, American Airlines and Air Canada. Air New Zealand took the first delivery in July 2014, and ANA flew the first passenger service on 7 August 2014.
Is the 787-9 safe?
No 787-9 has been involved in a fatal accident or been written off. The only fatal 787 accident to date, Air India flight 171 in June 2025, involved the shorter 787-8.
How far can the 787-9 fly?
Boeing lists a range of up to 15,370 km (8,300 nautical miles), so it suits very long non-stop routes as well as busy medium-haul ones.
Every flight you’ve taken, on one globe.
Orbit is a flight logbook. Add the airports and the date, and it works out the distance, the hours, the countries and the milestones.