The Boeing 787 Dreamliner remains one of the most important widebody aircraft in global aviation, prized for its fuel efficiency, long-range capability, and passenger-pleasing cabin with very positive reviews. With dozens of airlines now operating at least one 787 variant, the question naturally arises in 2025: Which airline has the most Dreamliners in the world? In our article, we will discuss a familiar name in long-haul aviation: All Nippon Airways (ANA) from Japan, which holds the current record.

Understanding the world’s leading Boeing 787 operator offers insight into how modern airlines deploy efficient widebodies to maximize fleet performance, open new routes, and strengthen hubs. ANA’s early partnership with Boeing and strategic route alignment have enabled it to build the world’s largest Dreamliner fleet, making it an ideal case study of how airlines harness the aircraft’s strengths.

The Boeing 787’s Global Popularity — And Why ANA Leads The World

When Boeing introduced the 787 Dreamliner, the commercial aviation world took note. The combination of ultramodern, robust, and light composite structures, superior fuel efficiency compared to older jets, and long-range capability made it a natural fit for airlines seeking to open thinner long-haul markets while reducing operating costs. Over a decade later, the 787 has become a fixture of global fleets, from full-service giants to niche long-haul carriers. According to planespotters.net, among all of them, ANA stands alone with the world’s largest fleet, with 88 Dreamliners, including all three subvariants.

The aircraft’s flexibility is a significant reason for its popularity. Airlines like British Airways, Qatar Airways, United Airlines, and Japan Airlines operate substantial Dreamliner fleets, some across all three variants (787-8, -9, and -10). But ANA embraced the 787 earlier and on a larger scale than anyone else. As the launch customer, ANA bet heavily on Boeing’s composite twinjet at a time when many airlines were still cautious. The move paid off: the aircraft’s economics perfectly matched ANA’s growing long-haul ambitions and dense hub-and-spoke network centered on Tokyo Haneda and Narita.

Today, thanks to its early adoption and years of incremental fleet expansion, ANA’s total Dreamliner count in 2025 reaches 88 aircraft, including 10 Boeing 787-10s, 34 Boeing 787-8s, and 44 Boeing 787-9s, with six more yet to be delivered. No other airline comes close to this combined total, making ANA the undisputed global leader in Boeing 787 operations.

ANA Airlines — History, Fleet Strategy, And Its Deep Partnership With The Boeing 787

All Nippon Airways is not only Japan’s largest airline but also one of the world’s most technologically forward-leaning carriers. Founded in 1952, ANA grew from a domestic airline flying DC-3s into a long-haul powerhouse with a reputation for efficiency, precision, and customer service. Its relationship with the Boeing 787 dates back to the earliest days of the Dreamliner program.

ANA became the launch customer for the Boeing 787 in 2004 and received the world’s first Dreamliner in 2011. The airline used the 787-8 to modernize mid- and long-haul operations, eventually expanding into the 787-9 and 787-10 as the family evolved. According to ANA’s 2025 fleet information, the airline operates the following aircraft, including some on order:

ANA’s Boeing 787 Fleet (2025)

ANA deliberately built its long-haul strategy around the Dreamliner’s economics. The aircraft allows ANA to serve long international routes like Tokyo–Houston or Tokyo–Brussels while also enabling high-frequency domestic trunk routes such as Haneda–Fukuoka with smaller variants like the 787-8. The Boeing 787 is also a replacement for the older 767 on its routes across Japan, thanks to a similar size and better fuel efficiency. This flexibility made the 787 an ideal backbone for ANA’s growth, giving it a competitive advantage across Asia and beyond.

Where ANA Flies The Boeing 787 — Key Domestic And International Routes

ANA uses its Boeing 787 fleet across a diverse mix of domestic, regional, and long-haul routes. Data from Cirium, an aviation analytics company, gives a clear snapshot of where ANA deploys each Dreamliner variant. The 787-8 dominates domestic and short-haul services, while the bigger 787-9 and 787-10 models handle long-haul international and higher-density domestic markets.

The provided Cirium route data highlights some of ANA’s most frequent Dreamliner operations. For instance, in a 30-day period in November 2025, ANA operated:

• 346 flights between Sapporo CTS and Tokyo Haneda (HND) using the 787-10

• 296 flights between Haneda (HND) and Okinawa (OKA) on the 787-10

• 240 flights between Haneda (HND) and Fukuoka (FUK) on the 787-10 and 120 flights on the same route using 787-9

• 120 flights between Haneda (HND) and Frankfurt (FRA) on the 787-9, one of its busiest long-haul Dreamliner routes

• about 80 flights on international routes from Haneda (HND) to Jakarta (CGK), Bangkok (BKK), Singapore (SIN), and Paris (CDG), using the 787-9

ANA’s network is built around Tokyo’s two major hubs: Haneda (HND) for premium, business-focused connectivity, and Narita (NRT) for long-haul leisure and transpacific operations. The Dreamliner allows ANA to balance both: 787-8s strengthen ANA’s domestic backbone, while 787-9s and -10s unlock nonstop flights to North America, Europe, and Southeast Asia. This nuanced deployment strategy is a major reason ANA consistently reports substantial utilization across its 787 fleet.

Why ANA Operates More 787s Than Any Other Airline

Understanding why ANA ended up with the world’s largest Dreamliner fleet requires examining how its strategy, geography, and partnerships converged. ANA didn’t simply choose the 787; it helped shape it.

For instance, Japan’s geography plays a key role: its long north-south distance creates a network of domestic trunk routes perfect for the 787-8. Meanwhile, ANA’s international ambitions require aircraft capable of flying to the US East Coast and Europe from Tokyo. It is an ideal mission for the 787-9 and 787-10. Additionally, ANA’s strong technical partnership with Boeing throughout the Dreamliner’s development phase resulted in a fleet perfectly tailored for the airline’s needs. Compared with peers, ANA uses the 787 more comprehensively than most airlines use any single aircraft type.

ANA’s decision to diversify across all three Dreamliner variants further solidifies its leadership. Many airlines operate only one or two versions, but ANA uses each model to solve a different network challenge. Its early investment also locked in delivery slots years before global demand for the Dreamliner surged. This alignment of timing and long-term planning ultimately helped ANA outpace every other 787 customer.

However, it is worth noting that Japan Airlines (JAL) also operates a large fleet of Dreamliners, about 45 aircraft, including both the 787-8 and 787-9 models, and both types are used on similar routes as ANA. Although JAL doesn’t operate the largest 787-10 variant, it makes up for this with a sizable fleet of 16 Airbus A350-900 and 10 Airbus A350-1000 aircraft, which serve routes similar to those of ANA’s 787-10.

How The 787 Shapes ANA’s Passenger Experience And Competitive Edge

Travelers often wonder what makes ANA’s long-haul experience so consistent, particularly when flying to cities as diverse as Singapore, Honolulu, Houston, and Paris. The answer frequently comes back to the Dreamliner, according to numerous trip reports and customer reviews.

ANA equips its 787s with quiet cabins, larger windows, precise humidity control, and optimized pressurization. All these standard features of the Dreamliner are tuned to ANA’s operational profile. The airline’s staggered business-class seats on many 787-9s and 787-10s compete directly with top-tier carriers. Meanwhile, ANA maintains a reputation for spotless cabins, refined meal service, and punctuality. These fundamentals pair well with the aircraft’s fuel savings. For passengers, the result is a consistently comfortable experience across much of ANA’s international network.

The 787 also helps ANA maintain competitive pricing while offering premium amenities. Lower operating costs translate to sustained route viability during fuel spikes or economic downturns. This stability strengthens ANA’s position at Tokyo Haneda, one of the most competitive premium hubs in Asia, enabling it to consistently fill flights despite competition from Japan Airlines, Singapore Airlines, and major US carriers.

ANA’s Dreamliner Future — What Comes Next?

ANA’s dedication to the Boeing 787 goes beyond its current fleet. The airline plans to improve its long-haul strategy and upgrade older 787-8s as they enter their second decade of operation. At present, ANA expects to receive six more Dreamliners to join the fleet.

These additional aircraft will likely support ANA’s gradual push toward fleet modernization, complementing its incoming Boeing 777-9s, replacing older 767s, and potentially future narrowbody upgrades. The Dreamliner will likely remain central to ANA’s global presence, anchoring key transpacific and trans-Asian routes while giving the airline unmatched flexibility for the next phase of its expansion.

With the world’s largest Boeing 787 fleet, ANA now holds a major strategic advantage. Its extensive Dreamliner network, carefully crafted cabin experience, and long-standing partnership with Boeing position it to stay a leading force in the Asia-Pacific long-haul market through the 2030s. For many travelers and aviation fans, ANA’s Dreamliner operations remain some of the most exciting and influential in modern aviation.