The Boeing 787 Dreamliner, which recently crashed in India, is a prominent aircraft in Boeing's lineup of long-distance planes. This fuel-efficient, wide-body aircraft has the capacity to carry up to 330 passengers.

Since its debut in October 2011 with Japan's All Nippon Airways, over 2,598 of these planes have been ordered by more than 80 airlines globally, with 889 still awaiting delivery. One of its key features is its lightweight design, with half of the structure made from composite materials, allowing it to consume up to 20% less fuel on long-haul flights compared to older planes of similar size.

The 787 Dreamliner is known for its ability to operate "point-to-point" services, enabling direct flights to destinations without relying on a hub system. Boeing has credited the 787 for opening up 180 such routes, surpassing the initial estimate of 80.

Currently, there are three variants of the 787: the 787-8, capable of carrying up to 248 passengers over distances of up to 13,530 kilometers; the 787-9, accommodating up to 296 passengers for distances up to 14,010km; and the 787-10, with a capacity of up to 330 passengers for flights up to 11,910km.

The aircraft involved in the recent crash in Ahmedabad, India, was a 787-8 version carrying 242 passengers and crew. It was en route to London when the tragic incident occurred shortly after takeoff from the Indian city.

Boeing has acknowledged the crash and stated that they are actively seeking more information about the incident. This marks the first fatal crash involving a 787 Dreamliner.

Despite its popularity, Boeing's Dreamliner program has faced challenges, including multiple delivery suspensions between 2021 and 2023 due to assembly errors and manufacturing quality concerns. To address these issues, the US Federal Aviation Administration has intensified quality assurance checks and inspections on the production lines.

In April of this year, the FAA granted Boeing approval to increase its production rate to seven planes per month, up from the previous five. However, Boeing is encountering difficulties in sales, as it did not deliver any aircraft to China in May, despite receiving approval from Beijing. This decision came after China temporarily banned its airlines from engaging with Boeing due to the trade tensions initiated by Washington.