Boeing celebrated the completion of an upgrade to its 787-8 Dreamliner simulator today at its Shanghai-based training campus. The new configuration upgrades the platform to support China's most popular Dreamliner model--the 787-9. The simulator's new configuration was certificated by Civil Aviation Administration of China in October.

"Training and Professional Services is a key part of our Global Services portfolio," said Sherry Carbary, president, Boeing China. "Since 1992, Boeing has trained more than 75,000 aviation professionals, including commercial pilots and technicians, in China and we remain committed to supporting our Chinese customers with the most advanced training technology and methods available."

The 787 simulator at Boeing Shanghai Aviation Flight Training Co., Ltd., located at Shanghai Pudong International Airport, entered into service in 2011, configured for the 787-8, the company's first Dreamliner model and the first to operate in the China market. The larger 787-9 was introduced in China in 2016, and has since become the backbone of China's Dreamliner fleet, as it carries more passengers and flies further than the 787-8. Last month, Boeing delivered the 100th direct-buy 787 by the Chinese airline industry--a 787-9 Dreamliner operated by Juneyao Airlines.

Among the ten longest routes operated by Chinese carriers, three are flown by the Boeing 777, while seven are flown by the 787, including Xiamen Airlines' Fuzhou-New York route, Hainan Airlines' Chongqing-New York route, China Southern's New York-Wuhan route and Air China's Los Angles-Shenzhen route.

Since entering into service in 2011, the ultra-efficient 787 family, which includes three different models, has enabled the opening of more than 250 new point-to-point routes and saved more than 47 billion pounds of fuel. To date, more than 420 million passengers have flown on the airplane.

The 787-9 can carry 296 passengers and fly up to 7,530 nautical miles (13,950 kms), while reducing fuel use and emissions by 20 to 25 percent, compared to older airplanes.

Today, Boeing jets are the mainstay of China's air travel and cargo system, with more than 50 percent of all commercial jetliners operating in China being Boeing airplanes. Boeing activity in the country contributes more than US$1 billion annually in direct support of China's economy, including procurement from our extensive supply base, joint venture revenues, operations, training, and research and development investment.

Contributed by Boeing