FAA approves higher takeoff weight for Boeing 787, unlocking more range and payload

The Federal Aviation Administration has certified an increased maximum takeoff weight (iMTOW) for the Boeing 787-9 and Boeing 787-10, giving airlines greater flexibility to carry more passengers and cargo or operate longer routes.

The upgrade enables the 787-9 to carry roughly three additional tonnes of payload or fly over 300 nautical miles farther, while the 787-10 gains about five tonnes of payload or more than 400 nautical miles in extra range. Aircraft built since December 2025 are already structurally capable of the higher weight, with airlines able to activate the capability at delivery or later.

Boeing developed the enhancement in response to airline demand for improved operational flexibility, particularly for long-haul and ultra-long-haul routes. Air New Zealand will be among the first to introduce the upgraded 787-9 into service.

The improvement maintains the Dreamliner family’s fuel efficiency—around 25% better than older aircraft—while enabling new route opportunities and expanded network planning. Overall, the certification marks a further evolution of the 787 programme, more than a decade after it entered into service.