Boeing marked a major milestone in American aerospace manufacturing on Thursday with a major $1 billion expansion at the South Carolina plant that hosts the 787 Dreamliner program. The expansion comes as airlines around the world continue to place large orders for the fuel-efficient wide-body aircraft, fueling unprecedented demand for Boeing’s flagship long-haul jet.
The North Charleston plant, which as of 2020 was the sole production site of the 787 until 2026. will increase its monthly capacity to 10 aircraft from the current rate of around 7 aircraft per month. The expansion is one of the largest industrial investments in South Carolina history and underscores the 787’s position as the best-selling wide-body aircraft in aviation history.
Boeing’s decision to significantly expand its operations in South Carolina was driven by strong market demand for the 787 Dreamliner family. After more than 1,200 deliveries, the 787 totals nearly 1,000 aircraft, including more than 300 orders added this year alone. This increase in orders led to a sustained growth program for the next decade.
The Dreamliner program has accumulated more than 2,250 orders from 90 customers worldwide, establishing itself as the best-selling widebody aircraft in history. Recent major orders have included significant commitments from Qatar Airways, which placed the largest order for South Carolina-built aircraft in Boeing history, as well as large orders from United Airlines, American Airlines and other major carriers.
The expansion will fundamentally change Boeing’s South Carolina footprint with several key additions:
New final assembly building: a new final assembly building similar to the current final assembly building, which is approximately 1.2 million square feet, and includes aircraft manufacturing sites, production support and office space.
University facilities have been improved: A parts prep area, vertical hair dyeing facility, Flight Line counters and more on the airport campus, as well as significant additions to the Interior Responsibility Center, where many of the 787’s interior components are manufactured.
The construction project is a joint venture between HITT Contracting and BE&K Building Group, with more than 6.2 million employee hours and more than 2,500 employees.
The company is investing more than $1 billion in this infrastructure program and plans to create more than 1,000 new jobs over the next five years. The expansion will significantly expand Boeing’s already large South Carolina workforce, which currently employs more than 8,200 people at the North Charleston and Orangeburg campuses.
The economic impact is not limited to Boeing’s direct employment, with the expansion expected to bring significant benefits to suppliers, contractors and service providers across the region. South Carolina has become a major center for aerospace manufacturing since Boeing began operating there in 2009.
The development is based on strong long-term demand forecasts for wide-body aircraft. According to Boeing’s Commercial Market Review, the commercial aviation industry will need more than 7,800 new wide-body airplanes over the next two decades.
“We continue to see strong demand for the 787 Dreamliner family and its market-leading efficiency and versatility,” said Stephanie Pope, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “We are making this significant investment today to ensure Boeing is ready to meet the needs of our customers for years and decades to come.”
The 787 program gained particularly strong momentum in 2025, with Boeing ordering 61 aircraft from 2025. until September Major recent orders:
Qatar Airways record deal: The Middle Eastern carrier has placed what has become Boeing’s largest-ever order for planes built in South Carolina, with a deal for 130,787 Dreamliners as part of a broader $96 billion deal. USD deal announced during President Trump’s visit to Qatar.
US carrier demand continues: American Airlines, Avolon Aerospace Leasing Ltd., El Al and United Airlines have all placed significant orders for 787s in recent months, indicating continued demand from both domestic and international operators.
Delivery performancein 2025 Deliveries of the Dreamliner rose 42 percent to 28, indicating that Boeing can meet production commitments while managing expansion.
The development has received strong support from political leaders at all levels. “Under his visionary leadership, President Trump is rebuilding America’s industrial base and breathing life into our great manufacturing states, including the great state of South Carolina,” said US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.
South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster praised the investment as a “tremendous vote of confidence in the people and business environment of our state,” while U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham called it a “tremendous vote of confidence in South Carolina’s workforce.”
For more than a decade, BSC has been the site of the entire 787 Dreamliner production cycle. The teammates manufacture, assemble and deliver three Dreamliner models – the 787-8, 787-9 and 787-10 – to customers around the world.
The plant’s improved production capabilities will allow Boeing to more efficiently meet growing demand for all three variants of the Dreamliner family. The assembly plant plans to increase its monthly production rate to seven aircraft from five this year and double that to 10 by 2027.
The expansion in South Carolina reflects Boeing’s commitment to maintaining its competitive position in the widebody market, especially as airlines increasingly prefer fuel-efficient aircraft for long-haul routes. The 787’s advanced composite design and efficient engines have made it particularly attractive to carriers focused on sustainability and operating economics.
The investment also strengthens the United States’ position as a major aircraft manufacturing hub, with South Carolina joining Washington state as a major hub for Boeing’s commercial aircraft production. This geographic diversification gives Boeing greater manufacturing flexibility and reduces operational risk.
Boeing expects that by 2026 expansion will begin. May The 787 orders bring to 889 the balance of carbon fiber airplanes that Boeing is building near Charleston International Airport, ensuring a strong backlog that will continue for many years.
The expansion allows Boeing to take advantage of the expected recovery and growth in long-haul international travel as airlines around the world continue to modernize their fleets with more efficient aircraft. For South Carolina’s aerospace industry, these investments confirm the state’s emergence as a global aerospace manufacturing powerhouse, with implications that go far beyond the immediate economic impact.
As airlines continue to place orders for the next generation of wide-body aircraft, Boeing’s expanded operations in South Carolina will play a critical role in meeting global demand and strengthening America’s aerospace manufacturing capabilities for decades to come.
