Boeing · Passenger guide
✈️ Boeing 787 Dreamliner
The game-changer for long-haul passenger comfort
The Boeing 787 Dreamliner was the first commercial aircraft built predominantly from carbon-fibre reinforced composites, making it lighter and more fuel-efficient than its predecessors. Introduced in 2011, the 787 brought tangible passenger benefits: larger windows, lower cabin altitude (1,830 m vs 2,440 m on older jets), higher humidity and quieter engines. It opened new point-to-point long-haul routes that were previously uneconomical.
Technical specifications
| Variants | 787-8, 787-9, 787-10 |
| Typical capacity | 242 (787-8) · 296 (787-9) · 330 (787-10) |
| Max range | 13,621 km (787-9) · 7,635 km (787-10) |
| Cruising speed | Mach 0.85 (~903 km/h) |
| Engines | GE GEnx-1B or Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 |
| Wing span | 60.1 m (787-9) |
| First flight | December 2009 |
| Body type | Wide-body (twin-aisle) |
Comfort review
One of the most passenger-friendly widebody jets in service. The 787 consistently scores well on comfort due to its unique engineering: larger oval windows with electrochromic dimming (no plastic shutter), higher cabin humidity that reduces jet-lag dehydration, lower cabin altitude that eases breathing on long flights, and noticeably quieter engines. The composite fuselage also allows slightly wider seat cross-sections in Economy.
Larger windows
Windows are 65% bigger than comparable jets, with electronic dimming — no more plastic shutter blinds.
Higher humidity
Cabin humidity is maintained at ~16% vs ~5–8% on older aluminium jets — you arrive less dehydrated.
Lower cabin altitude
Pressurised to 1,830 m (6,000 ft) equivalent vs 2,440 m on older jets — easier breathing and less fatigue.
Quieter cabin
Serrated engine nacelles (chevrons) and composite structure reduce noise, especially on take-off.
LED mood lighting
Full LED cabin lighting with colour-changing presets for boarding, mealtimes, and sleep phases.
Seat note: Economy is typically configured 3-3-3 on the 787-9. Airlines like ANA and Air Canada Rouge use 2-4-2, which is more comfortable — always check the seat map before booking. Business class varies: British Airways uses a controversial Club World layout; Singapore Airlines and Japan Airlines offer excellent lie-flat suites.
Typical seat configurations
| Cabin | Layout | Seat width | Pitch / bed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | 3-3-3 (most airlines) · 2-4-2 (ANA, Air Canada) | 43–46 cm | 79–84 cm |
| Premium Economy | 2-3-2 | 48–52 cm | 96–107 cm |
| Business | 2-2-2 herringbone or 1-2-1 (airline-dependent) | 53–58 cm lie-flat | 183–198 cm bed |
| First Class | 1-2-1 (select airlines) | Suite-style | 203+ cm bed |
* Configurations vary by airline and delivery year. Always check SeatGuru or Aerolopa for your specific flight.
Airlines that fly the 787 Dreamliner
Japan Airlines (JAL)
Tokyo → London, Tokyo → New York
Sky Suite Business — among the best 787 products
ANA (All Nippon Airways)
Tokyo → Frankfurt, Tokyo → Sydney
2-4-2 Economy — widest seats in class
Singapore Airlines
Singapore → London (787-10)
Excellent Business class; 3-3-3 Economy
British Airways
London → many long-haul
Club World Business (criticised for layout)
Air Canada
Toronto → London, Montréal → Paris
Signature Business suite; 2-3-2 Economy on 787-8
United Airlines
Newark → many international routes
Polaris Business class; 3-3-3 Economy
Norwegian
London Gatwick → US (historic)
Dense 3-3-3 Economy; budget long-haul
LOT Polish Airlines
Warsaw → New York, Warsaw → Chicago
Business class Dreamliner service to US
Passenger tips for the 787 Dreamliner
- ✓
Choose a 2-4-2 configured 787 (ANA, Air Canada) for Economy — window seat passengers avoid stepping over two others.
- ✓
Avoid BA Club World on the 787 if you travel solo — the alternating forward/backward layout means some seats face the wall.
- ✓
The cabin is more forgiving of dehydration, but still drink water regularly — alcohol dehydrates more at altitude.
- ✓
JAL and ANA 787 Business class regularly rank in top-5 globally — worth considering over European carriers for Asia routes.
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Check SeatGuru or Aerolopa before booking — 787 configurations vary wildly between airlines on the same route.
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Larger overhead bins mean carry-on boarding stress is lower on the 787 than on older jets.
Find flights on the 787 Dreamliner
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