Tried searching but search returned 0 results for 787 - please merge as needed.

Wondering why CO has ordered 11 787-8s and 14 787-9s if anyone knows. UA's order is strictly for 787-8s.

Has there been any murmur as to whether the order will switch to all one type?

I don't know if they've switched the 789 to 788 but I imagine they're trying to figure out when they're going to get any at all, and then take up the issue of variant mix from there.

Not sure of the technical differences, but there could be size or range differences, which presumably has an impact on cost.

Just like CO has variants of the 737, 757, or 767, different planes have different ranges and capacities.

Indeed, I believe the 789 had a larger capacity but the 788 had a slightly longer range (though I could have that backwards). It seems to me that CO has tried as much as possible to have the right equipment for a particular mission.

i would imagine the 789 orders are to expand direct flights. the 788's appear to be able to go a few hundred nautical miles than the 772ER's that CO currently uses, but the 789's have almost a thousand nautical mile advantage over the 772ER.

or at least that's what they're rated for.

NYC-MNL direct, for example.

...or i guess for CO, EWR-MNL direct.

so far it looks like the 789 will be the longest range plane they have. more than the 748, 744ER and only beaten by the 772LR... although i've never seen it before and it seems like it's just a flying gas tank and the 772LR barely seats more and has a lot less cargo space... you know... for the billion gallons of fuel.

i'm pretty excited about the 787's though. i just wish they weren't delayed 100 times a year.

788 are available sooner and can do some thinner long routes that aren't economical with other aircraft, like IAH-AKL.

But since the original order, CO has actually switched some of the -8 orders to the larger -9. Clearly, they think the economics are better on the larger -9.

Just like CO has been buying 738 and 739ERs and not 73Gs. And airlines around the world ordering many more 77Ws nowadays instead of 77E or 77Ls.

In fact, the -9 has equal or even longer range than the -8. Significantly higher maximum takeoff weight.

Boeing's site says 7,650-8,200nm for the -8. 8,200-8,500nm for the -9. MOTW is 502,500lb for the -8; 545,000lb for the -9.

Long term CO was planning on phasing out not only the 767's but also the 777's. The 789 would replace the 777s. But in today's environment I suspect the 777s will be here for a very long time.

I guess UA was planning on keeping its 777 and 747s and only needed the smaller 788.

Nope...United ordered the 350XWB to fill the 744 retirement gap. It is a plane (at least by spec) much more appropriate to replace the 744.

While UA's order was for the 787-8, they have the option to switch any of them to the 787-9. Since they will not be delivered for a few years, they will have plenty of time to make changes if they choose. The same is true of the A350 order; they have the option to switch to a different variant. I do not recall if they have selected an engine but obviously it will match whatever CO has.