As my autumn trip to Los Angeles approached, I couldn’t wait to experience the city. The headquarters of the entertainment industry, a professional sports hub, and a cultural gem promised a palette of experiences I wouldn’t soon forget. But there was one thing I wasn’t looking forward to: spending 5+ hours on an airplane.
My trip from the DC area (IAD) westward was aboard a tried and true 737-900. But then I noticed something interesting on my itinerary: the return flight would utilize a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, a state-of-the-art plane serving as an upgrade to fleets across the industry. After a whirlwind four days in LA, I wasn’t exactly excited to leave. But lining up to board the flight home, I was full of anticipation to ride a truly modern aircraft. Here’s how it went.
Where carbon fiber meets comfort: The thoughtful engineering behind the 787-9
The Boeing 787-9 is a twin-engine, long-haul, widebody aircraft comprised of lightweight structures, including 80% composites. It’s the first commercial aircraft with an airframe primarily made from Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer (CFRP), resulting in about 20% lighter weight and 40,000-50,000 fewer fasteners needed. An approximate 20% reduction in fuel consumption, a passenger-driven interior, and fly-by-wire controls are just some of the plane’s leading edge details.
According to Boeing, the 787: “The 787 features advanced aerodynamics, more efficient engines and more electric systems to optimize performance. Combined with the use of carbon-fiber composites in the 787 structure, these design decisions translate to lower fuel usage and reduced maintenance costs as well as longer range and greater route flexibility for airlines.”
The company further states: “Boeing created a better flying experience with its 787 Dreamliner family by combining its unique understanding of how the human body reacts to flight conditions and how emerging technologies can improve those conditions.”
The Dreamliner is central to United’s fleet upgrade strategy, with the airline operating 79 planes at the moment. That consists of all 787 models, including the -8, -9, and -10 versions, along with 142 787-9s on order. That makes the carrier the largest domestic operator of the aircraft.
After United’s major 787 order in 2023, United CEO Scott Kirby said: “We’re building a bright future at United, and this order takes our already successful United Next plan into the next decade and beyond. Our planning and focus on the long term have helped us surge past other airlines that stood still. I’m convinced our strategy is the right one as we continue to add new, larger aircraft to take full advantage of our growing flying opportunities both internationally and domestically.”
From mood lighting to near-silent engines, the 787 elevates every moment onboard
Upon entering the Dreamliner, I passed by first and business class, where passengers were neatly tucked away in mini-suites (1/2/1 layout), small and efficient spaces that looked ideal for work, relaxation, or reading. The ceiling appeared about 10 ft. tall (specs aren’t available), with the overhead bins accordingly higher.
Next, I passed by Premium Plus (2/3/2) and Economy Plus (3/3/3), before arriving at my seat in Economy, 54D, the fourth from last along the aisle. The tall ceilings and copious bins already created a comfortable, spacious feeling.
Sitting on the tarmac, a distant hum of systems reminded me of the Space Shuttle preparing for launch. The legroom was about the same as a 737, and there was no free Wi-Fi, but the sound quality during announcements had a Bose-like clarity.
At takeoff, there was a muffled roar, not the explosive, rocket-like howl on 737 variants. As the plane lifted away, it felt effortless, and the smooth climb to cruising altitude imparted a sense of safety beyond that of older planes. Once we reached cruise, I could look around and take in the surroundings.
Above the storage bins, mood lighting changed colors throughout the flight. At the beginning, it was a purplish-blue, then white, then peach, before returning to white. The seatback screen offered numerous options, like a 3D follow-along flight map (my favorite), Apple TV+, various movies, or the option to turn off and focus.
As we crossed the U.S. the plane kept impressing me with its smooth, solid ride that imparted a sense of confidence. While there were brief moments of bumps, the plane seemed to shrug them off, as if it were some giant mechanical dragon. Those moments were reminiscent of driving a body-on-frame truck across a bumpy road. When I walked to the bathroom, the aisle had a granite-like solidity.
Regarding the bathrooms, while they had pleasant indigo lighting, there wasn’t one at the rear of the plane. A rear bathroom seemed like a given to me, but instead, I had to walk toward the middle of the plane.
By the time we touched down at IAD, about 5 hours later, it didn’t seem like a cross-country trip. While I can’t say I loved being in an airplane seat that long, part of me enjoyed the flight, between the lighting, smoothness, and quiet.
Why every traveler deserves the comfort of a modern long-haul aircraft
While the Boeing 737 is a commendable workhorse that’s safely flown millions, I think today’s travelers deserve to fly on a modern aircraft like the 787-9 Dreamliner. Fares are hundreds of dollars, flights are long, and people are entitled to the smoothness, comfort, and sense of safety the 787 imparts. On future flights, I’ll be checking to see if I get to ride this dragon of the skies.
