en.Wedoany.com Reported - Boeing's 787-9 and 787-10 aircraft have recently received certification from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for an increased maximum takeoff weight, narrowing the gap with the European Airbus A350 in the ultra-long-haul aircraft segment. On March 23, 2025, the FAA officially granted the increased maximum takeoff weight certification for the 787-9 and 787-10. The 787-9 gains an additional 10,000 pounds at takeoff, raising its maximum takeoff weight to 571,500 pounds; the 787-10 gains an additional 14,000 pounds, reaching a maximum takeoff weight of 574,000 pounds.

Boeing stated that this move allows airlines the option to increase payload or extend range: the 787-9 can carry approximately three more metric tons of cargo or fly over 300 nautical miles further, while the 787-10 gains about five metric tons of payload or over 400 nautical miles of additional range. "The clear message we received from airlines is: they need greater flexibility," said John Murphy, chief engineer of the 787 program. Boeing has delivered approximately 1,250 787 series aircraft since first delivering the Dreamliner in 2011, but only aircraft assembled from December 2025 onwards will be capable of handling the higher weight. Under existing specifications, the 787-9 and 787-10 have ranges of 7,565 nautical miles and 6,330 nautical miles respectively; the new versions can fly up to approximately 7,865 nautical miles and 6,730 nautical miles.

The Airbus A350 family still maintains its lead in the ultra-long-haul market, with the A350-1000 having a range exceeding 9,000 nautical miles, and the specialized A350ULR model reaching 9,700 nautical miles. As of March this year, Airbus has delivered approximately 710 A350s, with a total order book of 1,564 aircraft. Airlines such as Air New Zealand, Delta Air Lines, Qatar Airways, and United Airlines all plan to introduce or add 787 aircraft in the coming years to expand longer-distance direct flight routes.

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