American Resurgence Of The 787-8

Is Boeing deviously surging the 787-8 brand of aircraft? Is the 787-8 not dead? These questions may come up since Boeing just sold American Airlines 22 of its 787-8's. That's a whole year or two worth of 787-8 sales. It has been quite a while since Boeing last sold that many 787-8's in one day. Since then (that day) it has sold a boatload of 787-9's and 787-10's.

In fact, since the last load of 787-8's were sold, the Boeing company accomplished the last checklist item it needed. Fit the 787-8 together just like the 787-9 fits together. In other words, sections of the 787 and its associated components are built like a 787-9. Back in September 2017 as an example, Boeing announced a Japan Airlines deal for four 787-8's as previous disclosed unidentified customer booked order belonging to Japan Airlines. A slow announcing process for the 787-8, indeed.

The American Airline order just announced for 22 787-8's has the aviation world looking at that order under its scrutiny of why order well beyond the long ended Boeing introductory model. Why is Boeing investing in building the 787-8 efficiently as a 787-9? 

Boeing.com Data from January 2015 to current; Winging It Chart

The takeaway is the 787-8 program was essentially dead until the American Airlines order this last monthly cycle in early April 2018.

Other airlines are in the order mode with the 787-8 which are not disclosed at this time, otherwise, Boeing would not have spent time and money making the 787-8 build process uniform with its other stablemates. 

There were about 60-70 frames yet to be built when the new build process was completed. Bam! then came the American 787-8 order for 22. It signals a resurgence not an end to the program, otherwise, there would be no order from American.

Boeing can build it cheaper at this time and airlines will be filling its aviation gap with the 787-8. The 787-9 is currently the moneymaker with its great airspace rush going on for long-range routes which will end by 2025. The NMA is the next airspace rush and the 787-8 will be in that mix with those fleet offerings. The second rush is for a regional 220-270 passengers capacity where the 797 and 787 will play the central role. American Airline has reawakened this market segment adventure.