Boeing’s Leading Widebody: 787-9 in October
Boeing and Airbus continue to be leading manufacturers in the widebody aircraft market. According to Cirium, an aviation analytics firm, Boeing’s twin-aisle planes are scheduled for 138,145 flights in October, marking a 0.7% increase from the previous year. Notably, the available seat miles (ASMs) for Boeing’s widebodies have risen by 3.5%, indicating a preference for longer routes.
The Emergence of the 787-9
This October, the Boeing 787-9 has ascended to become Boeing’s most active widebody aircraft, with 34,903 flights—a 10.8% increase from 2024. The Boeing 777-300ER, which held this distinction last year, saw its numbers fall by 2% to 34,367 flights.
Operating Statistics
- Total seats available: 10,042,559
- Total ASMs: 36,806,231,706
- Year-on-year seat and ASM increase: 10.8% and 12.5% respectively
Boeing highlights that the 787 has created over 425 new non-stop routes worldwide and has transported over one billion passengers, faster than any other widebody jet.
Top Operators of the Boeing 787-9
| Airline | Flights | Seats | ASMs | Top Routes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Etihad | 2,428 | 692,340 | 2,408,516,524 | Abu Dhabi – Milan, Phuket |
| All Nippon Airways | 2,175 | N/A | N/A | Tokyo – Fukuoka |
| Qatar Airways | 1,994 | 620,134 | 1,731,254,585 | Doha – Barcelona |
Etihad leads this October with 2,428 flights, while All Nippon Airways, previously the top operator, has reduced its use by 8.1%, scheduling 2,175 services. Qatar Airways ranks third, showing significant growth with 26.9% more flights year-over-year.
Overall Widebody Popularity
Among Boeing’s widebody families, the 787 series remains prominent with 67,526 flights, 19,418,114 seats, and 61,971,058,310 ASMs scheduled this October, supporting its position as Boeing’s top twin-aisle family.
When compared globally, 787 usage has increased across all metrics, with 5.9% more flights, a 6.8% rise in seats, and 9.4% more ASMs. In contrast, the Boeing 777 series sees a 3.2% decrease to 55,704 flights. Meanwhile, older models like the Boeing 767 and 747 have limited operations.
These statistics highlight the continued growth and preference for the Boeing 787 series in the global aviation industry.
