FAA Clears Higher Takeoff Weights for Boeing 787-9 and 787-10

SEATTLE — The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has certified an increase in maximum takeoff weight (iMTOW) option for the Boeing 787-9 and 787-10. This allows airlines to carry more payload or fly longer routes with the same aircraft. Boeing says this upgrade is already being included in jets currently going through delivery.

According to Boeing, the upgrade brings significant performance improvements. The 787-9 gets an increase of about 10,000 lb (4,540 kg), which allows for roughly three more metric tons of payload or over 300 nautical miles (560 km) of extra range. The 787-10 sees an increase of about 14,000 lb (6,350 kg), enabling around five more metric tons of payload or more than 400 nautical miles (740 km) of additional range.

Who will fly the new iMTOW-certified Dreamliners?

Boeing says all 787-9 and 787-10 aircraft built since December 2025 are structurally able to handle the higher weight. Airlines can decide to activate this certified capability at delivery or later, since higher certified weights can affect things like airport fees and route economics.

The Air Current reported that the newly certified weights translate to 571,500 lb for the 787-9 and 574,000 lb for the 787-10, describing iMTOW as a long-planned package previously discussed under the “increased gross weight” umbrella.

Boeing said Air New Zealand (NZ), the 787-9 launch customer, will be among the first airlines to use the new iMTOW capability. The company describes this as a way to add payload flexibility for ultra long-haul flights.