The Boeing 787 Dreamliner is one of the most popular airliners ever built. Originally marketed as a replacement for the Boeing 767, the 787 has now sold nearly 1,000 more units than the 767, and it’s one of only two widebodies to receive more than 2,000 orders, with the other being the Boeing 777. While the 777 is still slightly ahead, the 787 is rapidly closing in, and with the type now having been in service for almost 15 years, it’s become one of the most common widebodies in the world.

The Boeing 787 is tremendously popular with airlines around the world, including in the United States and Asia. The type has among the longest range of any airliner ever, and it’s also extremely efficient on shorter sectors too. While the smaller 787-8 is fairly common, most of these were early deliveries as the 787-8 was the first model to enter service. Meanwhile, the 787-9 is by far the most popular variant, while orders and deliveries of the 787-10 are increasing. Below are the five airlines with the world’s largest 787 fleets.

5

Etihad Airways

47 total examples

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Of the three most famous carriers based in the Middle East (Emirates, Etihad, Qatar), Etihad Airways is the youngest and smallest. Based in Abu Dhabi, the carrier has a fleet of only 126 aircraft, as per Planespotters.net, which is close to half the size of its rivals. Of these, 47 are Boeing 787s, split between 37 787-9s and ten 787-10s. This not only makes Etihad Airways the fifth-largest Dreamliner operator, but it’s also the third-largest operator of the midsize 787-9 variant.

Etihad still has four outstanding orders for the 787-9 and 19 orders for the 787-10. When deliveries are finished, Etihad Airways will have 41 787-9s, 29 787-10s, and 70 787s. The Boeing 787 is Etihad’s largest fleet, as it significantly outnumbers its other widebodies and even its narrowbody Airbus A320/A321 fleet, which numbers 42 aircraft. While Etihad does have ambitious growth plans that also involve the Airbus A321LR, A330neo, A350-1000, and Boeing 777-9, the 787 will continue to be the backbone of its fleet.

Etihad operates three different layouts of its Boeing 787-9 fleet. One of them features eight first class seats, along with 28 business class seats and 190 economy seats, for a total capacity of 226 passengers, while the other has 28 business class seats and 262 economy seats, with a total of 290 seats. The third layout is similar to the second, but with updated seats, along with 32 business class seats, 271 economy seats, and 303 total seats. The 787-10s, meanwhile, feature 327 seats, split between 32 business class seats and 295 economy seats.

4

Qatar Airways

58 total examples

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Qatar Airways was the seventh operator of the Boeing 787, having taken delivery of its first 787-8 in 2012. It first ordered 30 787-8s with 30 options in 2007, and has since exercised the remaining 30 options as 787-9s, which first started being delivered in 2019. Data from Planespotters.net shows that Qatar Airways has taken delivery of 26 out of 30 787-9s that it had ordered, along with all 30 787-8s. In addition, the carrier is leasing two 787-8s from Oman Air, making for 32 787-8s, 26 787-9s, and 58 787s.

In 2025, Qatar Airways placed a monumental order for over 200 Boeing widebody jets, which included 130 787s. Whereas the 787-8 has been the predominant aircraft in Qatar Airways’ 787 fleet thus far, this order consisted of 55 787-9s and 75 787-10s, which the carrier does not yet operate. Once all orders are delivered, Qatar Airways will have 85 787-9s and a total of 190 787s. In addition, Qatar Airways holds 50 options for the 787, which can also be converted to the Boeing 777-9.

Qatar Airways typically installs 254 seats on its 787-8s, split between 22 business class seats and 232 economy seats. These aircraft feature the Collins Aerospace Super Diamond in business class. Meanwhile, the carrier’s two Oman Air 787-8s feature Apex Suites in business class, and 267 total seats, split between 18 business class seats and 249 economy seats. All of Qatar Airways’ 787-9s feature the Elevate Ascent and a 311-seat layout split between 30 business class seats and 281 economy seats.

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3

American Airlines

70 total examples

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American Airlines took delivery of its first Boeing 787-8 in 2015, and today, it’s notable for being the world’s largest operator of the 787-8. It initially took delivery of 20 787-8s in the 2010s, and then ordered another 22 examples in 2018, the most recent large order of the smallest Dreamliner variant. Five of these were converted to the 787-9 variant, and American Airlines now operates 37 787-8s, as per Planespotters.net.

American Airlines took delivery of 22 787-9s in the 2010s, and it ordered 25 787-9s in its 2018 order, which was later bumped up to 30. It’s taken 11 examples so far, bringing its 787-9 fleet to 33 aircraft. This brings its 787 fleet to 70 units, and once all aircraft are delivered, American will have 37 787-8s and 52 787-9s, for a total of 89 787s. The 11 787-9s that are part of the 2018 order, which started being delivered in 2025, debuted American Airlines’ newest interior design standards, including its Flagship Suites based on the Elevate Ascent.

American installs 234 seats on its Boeing 787s, split between 20 Flagship Business seats, 28 premium economy seats, and 186 economy seats, while its first 22 787-9s feature 285 seats, split between 30 Flagship Business seats, 21 premium economy seats, and 234 economy seats. These layouts have been criticized by some observers as being too light on premium seats, especially as they operate some of American’s longest routes. This, however, is being rectified with its newest batch of 787-9s, as these aircraft feature just 244 seats, split between 51 Flagship Suites, 32 premium economy seats, and 161 economy seats.

2

United Airlines

84 total examples

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United Airlines first ordered the Boeing 787 in 2009, purchasing 25 787-8s, and it also inherited 25 787 orders from Continental Airlines, split between eight 787-8s and 17 787-9s. United converted most of the 787-8 orders to the larger 787-9 variant, while also adding the 787-10, and would accumulate a total of 71 orders, making it the largest 787 customer in the Americas. This was split between 12 787-8s, which were the first 787s delivered to a North American airline, along with 38 787-9s and 21 787-10s.

In 2022, United Airlines ordered 100 additional Boeing 787s with 100 options, and later exercised 50 of those options. It’s now taken delivery of 13 planes from this order, all of which have been the 787-9 variant, and it now has 84 Boeing 787s, along with 51 787-9s, as per Planespotters.net. United split its 2022 order into 94 787-9s and 56 787-10s, which means that when all examples are delivered, United will have 12 787-8s, 132 787-9s, and 77 787-10s, for a total of 221 787s. This makes United Airlines the world’s largest customer for the Boeing 787.

United Airlines installs 243 seats on its 787-8s, split between 28 Polaris seats, 21 Premium Plus seats, and 194 economy seats. Its 787-9s feature 257 seats, split between 48 Polaris seats, 21 Premium Plus seats, and 188 economy seats, while the 787-10s are configured with 318 seats, consisting of 44 Polaris seats, 21 Premium Plus seats, and 253 economy seats. In addition, the carrier is now taking delivery of a new subfleet of 787-9s, featuring its new Elevated Interiors and a 222-seat layout made up of 64 Polaris Suites, 35 Premium Plus seats, and 123 economy seats.

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1

All Nippon Airways (ANA)

87 total examples

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All Nippon Airways was the launch operator for the Boeing 787 in 2011, and it was also the launch operator for the 787-9 in 2014. To date, it has ordered well over 100 787s, making it the third-largest 787 customer, and with 87 examples already in service, it is the world’s largest operator of the Dreamliner. As per Planespotters.net, its 787 fleet is split between 33 787-8s, 44 787-9s, and ten 787-10s, which makes it one of only three airlines to currently operate all three 787 variants (alongside United Airlines and British Airways).

ANA, as well as rival Japan Airlines, is known for operating large fleets of widebodies configured in extremely dense layouts with limited passenger amenities designated for domestic flights. This includes 11 out of 33 787-8s, five out of 44 787-9s, and seven out of ten 787-10s. The majority of 787s, however, are designated for long-haul flights and are the backbone of ANA’s international network.

When all aircraft are delivered, ANA will have 33 787-8s, 71 787-9s, and 14 787-10s. While most of ANA’s 787s are powered by the Rolls-Royce Trent 1000, it selected the General Electric GEnx-1B to power its most recent deliveries, and all of ANA’s future 787s will be equipped with the GEnx. This comes as the GEnx continues to increase market share on the 787.