If you’ve ever flown long-distance or just love planes, you’ve probably heard of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner and the Airbus A350 XWB. They’re two of the best long-haul jets in the world right now—but which one’s better? 

Both aircraft are super advanced, built for comfort, fuel savings, and long-distance travel. But they’re also pretty different when you look closer. So in this guide, we’ll walk you through it all—performance, passenger comfort, efficiency, and more. By the end, you’ll have a solid feel for the differences between the 787 vs A350 and which jet might suit your airline, your route, or even your next trip.

WHAT MAKES THE 787 AND A350 SO POPULAR?

Let’s start with why people love these two jets. And as someone who deals with airlines every day, I can tell you—they’re popular for good reason.

BUILT FOR LONG TRIPS

Both the Boeing 787 Dreamliner and Airbus A350 XWB were made for long haul flights. We’re talking thousands of miles without refueling. The Boeing 787 range goes up to around 7,565 nautical miles, and the A350 can stretch even farther depending on the model.

MODERN MATERIALS = LIGHTER AND STRONGER

These aircraft use composite materials—lots of carbon fiber—to keep things light, strong, and fuel efficient. That’s a big part of the composite aircraft comparison we help clients consider.

PASSENGERS FEEL THE DIFFERENCE

You’d be surprised how many passengers come back and say, “That flight just felt better.” That’s no accident. Both jets are known for smoother rides, bigger windows, quieter cabins, and better air pressure. When we talk about passenger comfort 787 A350 differences, both planes score well—but the A350 has a slightly wider cabin, so there's a bit more space in economy.

FUEL EFFICIENCY THAT SAVES AIRLINES MONEY

This one’s huge. Airlines love both for their fuel numbers:

• Fuel efficiency Boeing 787: Great on medium to long routes.
• Fuel efficiency Airbus A350: A slight edge on the very long hauls.

And lower fuel burn means lower costs—and fewer emissions.

EASY TO ADD TO ANY FLEET

Airlines also appreciate how flexible these jets are. Depending on your route and needs, either aircraft fits well into a modern airline fleet planning strategy. And long-term? The maintenance costs 787 A350 comparison leans toward big savings over older aircraft.

So yeah—when people ask about the best long haul aircraft, the 787 and A350 are almost always at the top.

HOW DO THE 787 AND A350 COMPARE ON PERFORMANCE?

Let’s talk specs. This is where things get technical—but I’ll keep it simple.

RANGE AND SPEED

Both aircraft cruise at about Mach 0.85, which is fast and efficient for long trips.

RANGE COMPARISON:

• Boeing 787 range:
  • 787-8: ~7,305 nautical miles
  • 787-9: ~7,565 nautical miles
  • 787-10: ~6,330 nautical miles
• Airbus A350 range:
  • A350-900: ~8,000 nautical miles
  • A350-1000: ~8,700 nautical miles

Looking for more distance? The A350 wins on range.

FUEL EFFICIENCY HEAD-TO-HEAD

When customers ask about fuel efficiency Airbus A350 vs 787, here’s what we usually say:

• 787: Super efficient on medium-to-long routes, thanks to its lightweight frame and advanced engines.
• A350: Slightly better on ultra-long routes. Great aerodynamics and fuel systems help it go the distance.

Both are champs in their own way.

SEATING AND SPACE

Now let’s break down the 787 A350 seating capacity and cabin feel.

• 787-9: Around 296 passengers
• 787-10: Up to 318 passengers
• A350-900: Around 300–315 passengers
• A350-1000: Up to 350 passengers

Need more space in economy? The A350 cabin width gives passengers about 18 inches per seat, while the 787 offers around 17. It’s a small difference, but one you might feel on a 10-hour flight.

This is where aircraft cabin comparison gets personal—it depends on what your customers care about most.

MODEL MATCHUPS

We also get specific matchups like:

• A350-900 vs 787-9: The A350-900 offers a little more room and range. The 787-9 is lighter and more cost-effective on shorter long-hauls.
• 787-10 vs A350-1000: The 787-10 carries more passengers but has less range. The A350-1000 is your go-to for long-distance and high-capacity needs.

These are the choices airlines weigh during a long haul jet comparison. And we’re here to help if you’re stuck between two strong options.

787 VS A350: A CLOSER LOOK AT SPECS AND DESIGN

Now let’s get into the details. This part breaks down how the Boeing 787 and Airbus A350 are built, how they work, and what it’s like to fly them—whether you’re in the cockpit or in a seat.

BOEING 787 SPECIFICATIONS

The Boeing 787 specifications are all about smart design. The aircraft uses a lot of carbon fiber, which makes it lighter and more fuel-efficient. That’s a big win for long flights and lower costs.

• Wingspan: About 197 feet (60 meters)
• Length (787-9): Around 206 feet
• Max Takeoff Weight: Around 560,000 lbs
• Cruise Speed: Mach 0.85
• Passenger Capacity (787-9): Around 296 passengers

You’ll find that the Boeing 787 cabin layout is flexible. Airlines can set it up with different seating options based on their needs, but most go for a 3-3-3 layout in economy.

AIRBUS A350 SPECIFICATIONS

The Airbus A350 specifications focus on performance and space. The A350 is slightly larger and offers more room for passengers.

• Wingspan: Around 212 feet (64.8 meters)
• Length (A350-900): Around 219 feet
• Max Takeoff Weight: Around 617,300 lbs
• Cruise Speed: Mach 0.85
• Passenger Capacity (A350-900): Around 300–315 passengers

The Airbus A350 cabin layout is typically set up with a 3-3-3 layout too, but with a bit more seat width—especially in economy.

SEATING AND CABIN COMFORT

Let’s talk comfort. Because let’s be honest, that matters a lot—especially on long flights.

787 VS A350 ECONOMY SEATS

In economy, the difference comes down to seat width and space.

• 787 vs A350 economy seats: The A350 generally offers about 18 inches in width, while the 787 has around 17 inches. That inch might not sound like much, but it does add up during a 10-hour trip.

787 VS A350 BUSINESS CLASS

Now, if you're flying business class—this gets exciting.

• 787 vs A350 business class: Both offer lie-flat seats on most international airlines. However, some airlines go a bit bigger on the A350, since there’s more cabin space to work with. Both aircraft offer privacy, direct aisle access, and adjustable lighting.

787 VS A350 COMFORT

So what’s the full 787 vs A350 comfort picture?

• The A350 feels slightly roomier, thanks to the wider cabin.
• The 787 feels more modern to some, especially with its large windows and soft lighting.
• Both have improved humidity and air pressure compared to older aircraft. The cabin pressure 787 vs A350 is set to feel like you’re at about 6,000 feet altitude—better than the usual 8,000 feet on older jets.

In short, both are comfortable, but the A350 may feel a little more open.

PERFORMANCE AND EFFICIENCY

Now let’s talk about how these jets perform in the sky and on the balance sheet.

787 VS A350 RANGE

Here’s how far they go:

• 787 vs A350 range:
  • 787-9: Around 7,565 nautical miles
  • A350-900: Around 8,000 nautical miles The A350 has a slight lead in range, which can be a big deal for ultra-long flights.

787 VS A350 FUEL BURN

When we look at 787 vs A350 fuel burn, it depends on the route.

• The 787 tends to use less fuel on medium to long flights.
• The A350 uses slightly less fuel on very long flights.

Either way, both jets are a major improvement over older models and are considered part of the new generation aircraft market.

QUIETEST LONG HAUL AIRCRAFT

When we talk about the quietest long haul aircraft, both are top choices. The 787 has a very quiet engine system and special noise-reducing materials. The A350 is also known for how calm and quiet the cabin feels during flight. It’s a close call!

SIZE, COCKPITS, AND LAYOUT

A350 VS 787 SIZE

Let’s compare dimensions:

• A350 vs 787 size: The A350-900 is longer and heavier than the 787-9. It also has a longer wingspan. The A350-1000 is even larger and matches up with the 787-10, though the A350 still wins in range.

787 PASSENGER CAPACITY VS A350 PASSENGER CAPACITY

We touched on this earlier, but here’s a quick review:

• 787 passenger capacity (787-9): Around 296
• A350 passenger capacity (A350-900): Around 300–315 So, again, the A350 edges out slightly in total seating.

A350 VS 787 SEATING LAYOUT

In terms of layout:

• A350 vs 787 seating layout: Both jets usually go with 3-3-3 seating in economy and 1-2-1 in business class. The A350 offers slightly more space per seat, especially for airlines that don’t pack seats too tightly.

A350 COCKPIT VS 787 COCKPIT

This is one pilots love to talk about.

• A350 cockpit vs 787 cockpit: The 787 has a very clean, glass-heavy cockpit design with advanced HUD (head-up display) and touchscreen features. The A350 cockpit is also highly modern, with six large displays and a layout that feels a bit more spacious.

Both cockpits are easy to work with and represent some of the best in modern aviation.

AIRLINE PERSPECTIVE: COSTS AND CHOICE

AIRLINE OPERATING COSTS A350 787

Running an aircraft isn’t cheap, so airlines care a lot about fuel, maintenance, and flexibility.

• Airline operating costs A350 787: The 787 is generally a bit cheaper to run on shorter long-haul routes. The A350 may cost more up front but balances that with better range and capacity.

A350 VS 787 FOR AIRLINES

So from an airline’s view—A350 vs 787 for airlines—the choice depends on route network, budget, and seating plans. Some go for the A350 because of range and size. Others choose the Dreamliner for efficiency and cost control.

It’s a classic Boeing vs Airbus widebody decision. Both are fantastic jets. And when we do a widebody aircraft comparison, these two always lead the pack.

A350 VS DREAMLINER: FINAL THOUGHTS ON DESIGN

Let’s wrap this section up. The A350 vs Dreamliner debate comes down to priorities.

• Want more range and space? The A350 might be your match.
• Need lower costs and great flexibility? The 787 could be your best bet.

Both offer excellent long-haul aircraft performance and a smooth experience for passengers and crew. And as carbon fiber aircraft, they’re both shaping the future of travel.

CONCLUSION

So, which is better A350 or 787? Honestly—it depends on your goals.

If you want more range and a wider cabin, the A350 might be your pick. If you’re focused on fuel savings and flexibility, the 787 could be a better fit. There’s no wrong choice here—both jets are leaders in the sky.

Need help choosing the right model for your operation, or just want to talk shop? We’re here to help. At Flying411, we make aircraft decisions simple.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

WHAT’S THE MAIN PURPOSE OF THESE AIRCRAFT?

They’re both designed for long haul flights—perfect for crossing continents and oceans.

DO PASSENGERS NOTICE A DIFFERENCE?

Yes! Many say the A350 feels roomier, while the 787 is super quiet and smooth.

WHICH ONE HAS LOWER RUNNING COSTS?

The 787 tends to cost a bit less on fuel for medium routes, but both are more efficient than older jets.

WHICH ONE IS NEWER TECHNOLOGY-WISE?

Both are modern, but the A350 came out after the 787 and includes some updated systems.

CAN SMALLER AIRLINES USE THESE PLANES?

Yes, both aircraft can work for large and mid-size airlines, especially on international routes.