Boeing plans to deliver improved 787-9 and 787-10 Dreamliners starting in the first half of 2026, featuring increased maximum takeoff weight for extended range or additional cargo capacity. Darren Hulst, Boeing’s vice president of commercial marketing, stated these aircraft will enable flights 400 miles farther or carry five to six tons more cargo. The enhanced models are already in production and advancing toward certification, as announced at the Singapore Airshow.
Current 787 production at the North Charleston, South Carolina facility stands at eight aircraft per month, with Boeing targeting 10 per month within 2026, the maximum capacity for the existing site. The company produces 42 Boeing 737s monthly at Renton, aiming for 47 by year-end 2025, pending Federal Aviation Administration approval. Chief Executive Kelly Ortberg noted sufficient inventory to support these ramps without supply chain issues.
Boeing is constructing a second 787 assembly line in North Charleston, set to open in 2028, doubling output to 20 jets monthly. Production increases align with stabilizing operations post-2024 challenges, including FAA oversight via six key performance indicators on quality metrics. The 787-9 for Scoot, registered 9V-OJK, is slated for February 2026 delivery. Meanwhile, 777X certification slips to 2027 due to certification risks, separate from 787 progress.