The families start at different sizes
The 787’s approved typical-seating band begins below the A350’s. That makes the smallest 787 relevant to missions where an airline does not need the capacity of an A350-sized cabin.
Boeing 787 Dreamliner vs Airbus A350
Compare the Boeing 787 and Airbus A350 families by seating, range, dimensions, engines, variants, and service dates.
Quick answer
Both are current twin-engine wide-body families. The approved A350 figures extend to a higher seating and range ceiling, while the 787 family begins with a smaller aircraft and offers three passenger sizes. Those family ranges overlap, so a useful evaluation compares a particular 787 and A350 variant on the same route and cabin assumptions.
Approved record data
Side-by-side comparison
Updated
| Measure | Boeing 787 | Airbus A350 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Twin-engine wide-body airliner | Twin-engine wide-body airliner |
| First flight | 15 December 2009 | 14 June 2013 |
| Entry into service | 26 October 2011 | 15 January 2015 |
| Production | 2007–present | 2010–present |
| Status | In production and service | In production and service |
| Variants | 787-8, 787-9 and 787-10 | A350-900, -900ULR, -1000 and A350F |
| Typical seating | About 248–336 passengers | About 300–410 passengers |
| Published range | About 6,330–7,565 nmi by variant | About 8,100–9,700 nmi by variant |
| Length | 56.7–68.3 m (186–224 ft 1 in) | 66.8–73.8 m (219 ft 2 in–242 ft 1 in) |
| Wingspan | 60.1 m (197 ft 3 in) | 64.8 m (212 ft 5 in) |
| Engines | General Electric GEnx-1B or Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 | 2 × Rolls-Royce Trent XWB |
Values are taken from each subject's latest approved aviation.wiki revision. “Not listed” means the comparable field is not present; it does not imply a value of zero.
Context before conclusions
What the numbers mean
Published range is not route performance
The A350 family has the higher recorded ceiling, including the -900ULR. Payload, winds, cabin layout, reserves, and the exact engine-airframe combination shape what an airline can fly in practice.
Compare variants, not badges
A 787-8, 787-10, A350-900, and A350-1000 occupy different places inside these broad ranges. Family-level data is a map for further research, not a fleet-selection verdict.
Common questions
Which family entered service first?
The 787 entered service in October 2011. The A350 followed in January 2015.
Which has the higher published range ceiling?
The approved records list about 9,700 nmi at the top of the A350 family range and about 7,565 nmi at the top of the 787 family range.
Does the higher number make one aircraft better?
No. Capacity, trip cost, cargo, availability, network fit, financing, and commonality all matter. Maximum range alone is not an operating-cost comparison.
Explore every comparison
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