By Key Facts
- Aircraft Type: Boeing 787 Dreamliner / Airbus A330neo
The Boeing 787 Airbus A330neo rivalry sits at the heart of commercial aviation’s widebody market, where the two manufacturers have fought for airline contracts for decades. Both families target operators seeking efficient, long-range twin-aisle jets capable of opening thinner international routes that larger aircraft cannot serve economically.
Boeing 787 Airbus A330neo: Understanding the List Prices
Boeing and Airbus publish catalogue prices for their aircraft, though actual transaction prices are almost always lower after negotiation. For reference, Boeing lists the 787-8 at approximately $248 million, the 787-9 at around $292 million, and the larger 787-10 at roughly $338 million. Airbus, meanwhile, prices the A330-800neo at approximately $259 million and the A330-900neo — the more popular of the two variants — at around $296 million.
In practice, airlines rarely pay list price. Volume orders, fleet commitments, and competitive bidding between the two manufacturers typically drive real transaction prices well below catalogue figures, sometimes by 40-50 percent or more.
How the Two Families Compare
The Airbus A330neo is a re-engined evolution of the original A330, powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 7000 engines. Because it builds on a mature airframe, Airbus was able to bring the neo to market with lower development risk. However, the programme offers more modest efficiency gains compared to an all-new design.
The Boeing 787, by contrast, was a clean-sheet design introduced in 2011 and built extensively from composite materials — around 50 percent by weight — making it notably lighter than conventionally constructed widebodies. That structural approach, combined with General Electric GEnx or Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engines depending on variant, gives the 787 strong fuel-burn credentials on long thin routes.
As a result, airlines choosing between the two types weigh more than purchase price. Operating economics, cabin flexibility, range capability, and manufacturer support terms all factor into a decision that can lock an operator into a platform for 20 or more years.
A Duopoly That Shapes Global Aviation
Boeing and Airbus have effectively divided the commercial aviation market between them since the 1990s, when consolidation eliminated most independent competitors. That duopoly is most visible in the widebody segment, where no credible third challenger currently exists at scale. Chinese manufacturer COMAC is developing the wide-body C929, but it remains years from certification and commercial service.
For now, airlines shopping for a mid-sized widebody have two serious options — and both the Boeing 787 and Airbus A330neo have amassed substantial order books, suggesting the market sees genuine merit in each platform rather than a clear winner.
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