United Airlines' Boeing 787-10 Fleet Gets a Significant Upgrade in Capacity and Range
United Airlines' Boeing 787-10 fleet has received a significant upgrade in capacity and range, thanks to an FAA-certified increase in Maximum Takeoff Weight (MTOW). The upgrade adds around 14,000 lb (6,350 kg) to the aircraft's allowable takeoff weight, which can translate into roughly five metric tonnes of additional payload or more than 400 nautical miles of extra range.
The increased MTOW is a result of Boeing's Increased Maximum Takeoff Weight (iMTOW) program, which was approved by the FAA in March 2026. This upgrade gives United Airlines and other operators the flexibility to carry more passengers, baggage, or cargo on long-haul flights without compromising range.
The Boeing 787-10 was designed with a focus on capacity rather than range, but this upgrade changes the dynamics of how airlines can deploy it efficiently. With its increased MTOW, the 787-10 is now viable for missions where the longer-legged Boeing 787-9 and Airbus A350 were previously more practical choices.