747-8 Intercontinental vs 787-9 Dreamliner
The 747-8 Intercontinental leads, topping 4 of 7 compared metrics.
Cross-shopping the Boeing Commercial Airplanes 747-8 Intercontinental (introduced 2012) against the Boeing Commercial Airplanes 787-9 Dreamliner (introduced 2014) is a common decision, and the two sit closer on paper than the badges suggest. Both are commercial, which makes them natural cross-shopping rivals. The clearest separation between them is cabin capacity, where the 747-8 Intercontinental carries more passengers. We line the numbers up below, then translate them into the mission each aircraft actually wins.
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747-8 Intercontinental vs 787-9 Dreamliner: the key differences
- The 747-8 Intercontinental delivers 1% more range (747-8 Intercontinental: 7,730 nm; 787-9 Dreamliner: 7,635 nm).
- The 747-8 Intercontinental delivers 1% more cruise speed (747-8 Intercontinental: 495 kt; 787-9 Dreamliner: 488 kt).
- The 747-8 Intercontinental delivers 11% more passenger capacity (747-8 Intercontinental: 467 seats; 787-9 Dreamliner: 420 seats).
- The 787-9 Dreamliner is the newer design (introduced 2014 versus 2012 for the 747-8 Intercontinental), a gap of 2 years that usually shows up in avionics, cabin systems and fuel burn.
- The 747-8 Intercontinental is the larger aircraft by maximum takeoff weight (987,000 lbs versus 557,000 lbs), which typically buys more cabin and payload at the cost of higher trip economics.
- The two differ in powerplant layout: the 747-8 Intercontinental runs 4 engines against 2 on the 787-9 Dreamliner — a factor in redundancy, maintenance scope and operating cost.
Which mission suits which aircraft
Both aircraft are built for nonstop ultra-long-haul routes, so outright range rarely separates them — the call leans on cabin (the 747-8 Intercontinental seats more), trip economics and what is actually available on the market. Match the airframe to how you fly most weeks, not to the headline range figure.
Which should you choose?
On published specifications the 747-8 Intercontinental leads on both range and cabin capacity, so it suits operators who want maximum mission flexibility from a single airframe. The 787-9 Dreamliner can still be the smarter buy on acquisition cost, operating economics, runway performance, or current availability — the factors that rarely show up in a spec sheet. Our acquisition advisory team can model both against your actual mission profile before you commit.
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747-8 Intercontinental vs 787-9 Dreamliner: FAQs
Which has the longer range, the 747-8 Intercontinental or the 787-9 Dreamliner?
The 747-8 Intercontinental has the longer published range — 7,730 nm versus 7,635 nm for the 787-9 Dreamliner.
Does the 747-8 Intercontinental or 787-9 Dreamliner seat more passengers?
The 747-8 Intercontinental carries more passengers at maximum configuration — up to 467 seats, compared with 420 on the 787-9 Dreamliner.
Which is faster, the 747-8 Intercontinental or the 787-9 Dreamliner?
The 747-8 Intercontinental cruises faster, at 495 kt versus 488 kt for the 787-9 Dreamliner.
Which is newer, the 747-8 Intercontinental or the 787-9 Dreamliner?
The 787-9 Dreamliner is the newer design, introduced in 2014 versus 2012 for the 747-8 Intercontinental.
Is the 747-8 Intercontinental or the 787-9 Dreamliner the larger aircraft?
By maximum takeoff weight the 747-8 Intercontinental is the larger aircraft — 987,000 lbs versus 557,000 lbs for the 787-9 Dreamliner.
Should I buy the 747-8 Intercontinental or the 787-9 Dreamliner?
On published specifications the 747-8 Intercontinental leads on both range and cabin capacity, so it suits operators who want maximum mission flexibility from a single airframe. The 787-9 Dreamliner can still be the smarter buy on acquisition cost, operating economics, runway performance, or current availability — the factors that rarely show up in a spec sheet. Our acquisition advisory team can model both against your actual mission profile before you commit.
Still weighing up the 747-8 Intercontinental vs 787-9 Dreamliner?
Specs only take you so far. Our advisors give an independent recommendation based on your mission, budget and how you actually fly — and represent your side through to purchase.