Boeing has been facing intense scrutiny over its manufacturing processes
Dubai: American jet manufacturer Boeing announced Monday that its 787 Dreamliner fleet’s passenger count has surpassed 1 billion passengers carried worldwide.
According to the company, the 787 reached this benchmark faster than any other widebody commercial aeroplane in history, accomplishing the feat in less than 14 years since it entered service.
Boeing stated that the global 787 fleet, which now numbers more than 1,175 aeroplanes, has collectively flown nearly 5 million flights, covering more than 30 million flight hours.
The milestone announcement comes as the company faces intense scrutiny over its manufacturing processes and quality control across various aircraft programs, particularly the 737 MAX. Recent issues identified include manufacturing defects, leading to increased inspections and audits by regulatory bodies like the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
These concerns and related production issues have impacted the company's delivery schedules and led to heightened public and airline industry focus on its production standards and safety culture.
Scott Stocker, Boeing 787 Programme Vice President and General Manager, said, “This milestone would not have been possible without the trust and confidence of our customers in operating the 787, and we are incredibly grateful for each of them. The 787 Dreamliner family was designed to connect people and places like never before.”
Stocker said, “Flying over 1 billion passengers in this relatively short time is a testament to how the airplane has delivered on its promises to transform air travel with operational versatility, efficiency and comfort.”
He added, “This achievement reflects the dedication, talent and innovation of the teammates and partners who have brought the 787 family to life. Thank you to every operator flying the 787 and every one of the 1 billion passengers who have flown on a Dreamliner.”
To mark the moment, Boeing released a video honouring the passengers, partners, and people behind the success of the 787 Dreamliner family. The company is also inviting everyone connected to the 787, including operators, passengers, suppliers, and Boeing employees, to share their memories on social media using the hashtag #Dreamliner.
According to data shared by Boeing, key statistics for the 787 Dreamliner since entering service in 2011 include:
Over 1 billion passengers transported
A global fleet exceeding 1,175 jets
Nearly 5 million flights completed
More than 30 million flight hours accumulated
It is the bestselling passenger widebody, with over 2,000 orders from 89 customers
The Dreamliner fleet operates across more than 85 countries at over 520 airports
The aircraft has enabled over 425 new nonstop routes to destinations previously without direct service
The fleet conducts approximately 2,100 flights each day, serving over 480,000 passengers daily and about 14.5 million people monthly
On average, each 787 is in the air more than 12 hours per day, which Boeing states showcases strong global demand and reliability
Notable routes include the longest nonstop, London to Perth (7,829 nautical miles), flown by Qantas, and the shortest, Aruba to Curaçao (65 nautical miles), flown by TUI
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