The Boeing 787 is one of the newest planes to come into passenger service. First delivered in 2011, the aircraft has become a favorite for airlines thanks to its extensive range and fuel efficiency. And, for passengers, the travel experience was much better compared to older aircraft. Here are the oldest Boeing 787s in service.
Special 787s are the oldest
According to data from Planespotters, the oldest Boeing 787 is a 787-8 registered as N7874 and is a test aircraft for Boeing. This plane has served as an ecoDemonstrator, testing over 25 new technologies in the past few years.
This includes examining software and connectivity technology to improve operational efficiency, find ways to reduce wiring using remote sensors, aerodynamic and flight control improvements targeting greater fuel efficiency, and icephobic wing coatings to reduce the dangerous accumulation of ice. N7874 was built in June of 2009, making it 11 years old.
The next oldest 787 is XC-MEX. This jet is Mexico's VIP 787-8. The luxurious plane has made headlines recently as the country's president tries to sell it off. Some options included raffling off the jet or else getting Justin Trudeau to take over the aircraft. XC-MEX is also 11 years old.
The oldest passenger 787s
All Nippon Airways, better known as ANA, is a Japanese carrier that took the first Boeing 787-8 in September of 2011. ANA is still a big 787 customer and operator. The aircraft, JA801A, is quite young at just about nine years old. Shortly thereafter, ANA took two more 787-8s, JA802A and JA805A in 2011. By the end of 2012, ANA had received a total of 13 Boeing 787-8s. These aircraft are all between eight and nine years old.
In between ANA's deliveries, Japan Airlines also took two 787-8s, JA826J and JA827J. These eight-year-old planes are among some of the most comfortable Boeing 787s to grace the skies.
Ethiopian Airlines took its first Boeing 787-8 in 2012. ET-AOQ is a 787-8.
In September of 2012, both Air India and United Airlines took their first 787-8s. Air India took two registered as VT-ANH and VT-AND. Another 787-8, VT-ANI, went to Air India in October of 2012.
Meanwhile, United took N20904. Another 787-8, N26906 came United's way in October of 2012.
The next month, Qatar Airways took A7-BCB, its first Boeing 787-8.
So, in sum, ANA operates the oldest Boeing 787-8s flying passengers. Meanwhile, JAL follows closely behind. Ethiopian, Air India, United, and Qatar Airways also fly some of the oldest 787s.
What about the 787-9?
The 787-9 is larger than the 787-8 in terms of passenger capacity and came a few years after the 787-8 entered passenger service. Air New Zealand took the first Boeing 787-9 in 2014– making that aircraft six years old. It is registered as ZK-NZE. Air New Zealand also took another 787-9, ZK-NZF, in 2014. Finally, before 2015 started, the airline also took ZK-NZG
Next up is ANA with JA830A delivered a month after Air New Zealand's 787-9. Later, ANA also received JA833A in September of 2014.
United Airlines also took a 787-9 in 2014, registered as N38950. Later that same year, United also took N19951.
Virgin Atlantic took a 787-9, aptly registered as G-VNEW, in October 2014– its first of the type. G-VAHH also came the airline's way in late 2014.
Etihad Airways took its first 787-9, A6-BLA, in December of 2014.
This makes all of the oldest Boeing 787-9s a young six years old.
Due to the young age of the 787s around the world, expect these aircraft to fly for years to come. This is especially true for the latest variant of the Dreamliner, the 787-10.
Are you a big 787 fan? Which is the oldest 787 you've flown on? Let us know in the comments!