United Airlines plans to deploy the Boeing 787 Dreamliner on its route between Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) and Barcelona-El Prat International Airport (BCN) for the first time during the upcoming summer season, according to the aviation analytics company Cirium data. Adding more capacity and premium seat offerings Between May and October 2025, the Chicago-based airline will operate its fleet of Boeing 787 Dreamliners — specifically, the higher-capacity 787-9s and the lower-capacity 787-8s — on the route between Washington (IAD) and Barcelona (BCN), according to Cirium data. The decision likely reflects the airline’s efforts to increase overall capacity on the route.
The airline’s Boeing 787-9s can accommodate a total of 257 passengers in a four-class cabin layout: 48 in business class, 21 in premium economy, 39 in economy plus, and 149 in economy class. Meanwhile, United’s Boeing 787-8s can seat up to 243 passengers, also in a four-class configuration: 28 in business class, 21 in premium economy, 36 in economy plus, and 158 in economy class. During the low season, the airline operates this route using its fleet of Boeing 767s, typically the Boeing 767-300ER.
Compared to the 787 Dreamliners, United’s 767-300ERs can accommodate 203 passengers in a four-class cabin layout: 30 in business class, 24 in premium economy, 32 in economy plus, and 117 in economy class. It is worth noting that United Airlines operates a total of 12 Boeing 787-8 Dreamliners .
