The Boeing 777 vs 787: How The Twinjets Stack Up Against One Another

Both widebody families have enjoyed significant commercial success.

The Boeing 787 has revolutionized long-haul travel. It has allowed cheaper long-haul carriers to exist, while also unlocking longer routes. But how does it compare to its predecessor? The 777 used to be the industry’s long-haul workhorse. Before the arrival of the Dreamliner, it was thought to have its future guaranteed.

Not intended as a competitor

The 787 can easily and more efficiently operate many of the routes the 777 was designed for. As such, many airlines have either upgraded to the 787, or are awaiting the arrival of the next-generation 777X. But how exactly do the two aircraft compare? Before assessing this, it is worth noting a key piece of information.

This is the fact that Boeing did not initially design the 787 to compete with the 777. Naturally, it would make little sense for a manufacturer to compete with itself. However, we can still compare the two from an airline’s perspective, to see which comes out on top in areas such as cost-effectiveness, a key metric for any carrier.

Comparing the specifications

Let’s start by looking at how the two families’ variants directly compare in crucial areas such as size, range, and capacity. You can find the relevant data in the table below, starting with figures corresponding to aircraft from the older 777 series.

Passenger capacity

The Boeing 777 series is generally larger than the 787 and thus can carry more passengers. The 787-10 has a higher capacity than the smaller 777-200 series. However, it falls short of the larger 777-300 models by 66 passengers in a typical two-class configuration. Of course, the exact capacity varies from airline to airline.

This factor is a little more complicated. The 787-10 has a greater range than the standard 777-200 and -300 models. However, it falls behind when compared to Boeing’s special long-range and extended-range 777 variants. Unlike Airbus with its A350-900ULR, the US manufacturer is yet to produce such versions of the 787, which already has exceptional long-range capabilities.

List price

As Simple Flying reported in January 2021, the list price of the Boeing 787-10 is $338.4 million. Meanwhile, the list price of the 777-300ER is $375.5 million. As such, airlines must decide whether the greater capacity and range in this instance are worth an extra $37.1 million. This has to be weighed up against the 787’s better efficiency, an aspect which we are about to explore in greater detail.

Airlines may choose not to take this risk nowadays. After all, with trends generally moving away from high-capacity, hub-to-hub travel, they may find it hard to fill the 777-300ER’s extra seats. In any case, thanks to bulk deals and other discounts, many airlines don’t actually pay the list price when ordering their planes.

Fuel efficiency

The 777 series is, of course, rather older than the 787, and it also uses heavier construction materials. Meanwhile, the Dreamliner is famous for being the first airliner with an airframe primarily made up of composite materials.

This contributes to it being a more efficient aircraft than its older counterpart. All I Know About Aviation reports that the 777 series typically consumes 6,080 – 7,500 liters of fuel per hour, depending on the variant. Meanwhile, for the 787, this figure is noticeably better, at generally between 4,900 and 5,600 liters per hour.

In terms of capacity and, in most cases, range, the older 777 has the edge. However, with the 787 being cheaper to buy and operate, it represents a more comfortable financial decision for airlines. This is particularly pressing given the current challenging climate. From a passenger perspective, the 787’s modern cabin with its large, dimmable windows is also a bonus.

The current situation

Coronavirus has impacted the airline industry heavily, with long-haul flights often bearing the brunt of the effects of the global health crisis. Subsequently, hundreds of widebodies were grounded, although they are now returning to the sky.

As a result, earlier in the pandemic, Boeing declared that it would reduce 777 and 787 production. The firm noted that it would reduce the 787 production rate to six units a month in 2021, while also dropping the combined production rate of the 777 and 777X to two planes per month. This has hampered the latter’s entry into service.

However, with many of the world’s 777s aging, this type is looking to be the more significant casualty of the two widebodies. For instance, Japan Airlines decided to let go of its dedicated Boeing 777 domestic fleet in October 2020. The Tokyo-based Japanese flag carrier is ultimately planning to retire its remaining international 777-200s and -300s within the coming years.

What the airlines say

Ultimately, what matters most is that those operating the jets think of their tools. In 2020, United Airlines became the first carrier in the world to fly all three Dreamliner models. The Chicago-based operator took on the 787-10 to serve on six transatlantic routes from its Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) hub.

The airline highlights the plane’s ability to offer an improved customer experience, while also helping the company meet sustainability goals. Nonetheless, despite also having the 777, the firm isn’t showing any strong indication of retiring the type soon. In any case, United reveres the 787, and has said of the aircraft that:

“Boeing’s Dreamliners are known for dramatically improving the on board experience for customers with lower cabin altitude, better humidity, cleaner air, smoother ride and better sound quality. Additionally, the new Dreamliner provides better fuel efficiency than older aircraft, contributing to United’s commitment to reducing emissions by 50 percent by 2050.”

Even though it is an older design, airlines continued to receive the 777-300ER during the pandemic. As Simple Flying reported at the time, British Airways took delivery of yet another example in November 2021. Allister Bridger, who would become director of flight operations for British Airways, previously said the following about the -300ER in a statement seen by Simple Flying:

“I think this aircraft is vitally important for the fleet, it’s a wonderful aircraft – pilots love it, it is very fuel efficient and hugely comfortable for customers.”

What about the Boeing 777X?

It is also worth briefly touching on the prospects for the Boeing 777X. After all, Boeing confirmed in 2020 that both the 777-8 and 777-9 aircraft would be certified as part of the 777 family. It was previously speculated that the widebody would have a separate type certificate. However, Boeing has since shared that this would not be the case for the highly-anticipated project.

Despite taking its first test flight in January 2020, the 777X has not yet been introduced commercially. Therefore, we will not be in a position to properly compare it to the 787 until its entry into service. This is currently expected to occur towards the middle of the decade, although repeated delays are frustrating customers.

Dependent on an airline’s wants and needs

Altogether, deciding between the Boeing 777 and 787 comes down to an individual airline’s various wants and needs. Different carriers have different requirements, meaning that they will consider each aircraft’s selling points as different priorities.

If an airline can consistently operate long-range, high-capacity flights, then the 777-300ER may be the better option. However, if the range of these services remains within the 787-10’s capabilities, and trends continue to move away from higher-capacity flights, the Dreamliner could be the more straightforward choice.

Which aircraft do you prefer out of the Boeing 777 and 787? Have you flown on either, or both, of them over the years? Let us know your thoughts and experiences in the comments!

Source: Simple Flying