Why the 787-10 and A350-1000 Have Different Wheels

Why It Matters

Wheel‑count decisions directly influence aircraft operating costs, maintenance logistics, and the range of airports an airline can serve, making them a critical factor in fleet planning and profitability.

Key Takeaways

• Airbus added wheels to meet higher MTOW pavement limits
• Boeing kept four‑wheel gear thanks to lighter composite structure
• Landing‑gear design balances aircraft weight with runway load restrictions
• Common gear across 787 family reduces maintenance and training costs
• Wheel count signals operational range and airport compatibility differences

Summary

The video examines why the Boeing 787‑10 Dreamliner uses a four‑wheel main‑gear truck per side while the Airbus A350‑1000 employs a six‑wheel bogie, highlighting that wheel count is driven by engineering, not aesthetics.

The core factor is maximum take‑off weight. The A350‑1000 tops out above 700,000 lb, over 100,000 lb heavier than the 787‑10’s roughly 560,000 lb. To keep pavement‑contact pressure within airport limits, Airbus added two wheels per side, spreading the load. Boeing’s extensive composite construction kept the 787‑10’s weight within the original four‑wheel design envelope.

“The additional wheels are a response to pavement‑loading constraints,” the narrator notes, citing the A350‑1000’s six‑wheel bogie and comparing it to the six‑wheel trucks on the Boeing 777 and the 20‑wheel A380. Boeing’s decision also preserves commonality across the 787‑8, ‑9 and ‑10, simplifying maintenance and pilot training.

For airlines, the differing gear configurations affect route planning, airport access and operating costs. Airbus’s larger wheel footprint expands the A350‑1000’s airport compatibility, while Boeing’s uniform gear reduces fleet complexity, illustrating how a seemingly minor design detail can shape commercial strategy.

Original Description

Why In The World Does The Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner Have Fewer Wheels Than The Airbus A350-1000?

At first glance, the landing gear of modern widebody aircraft can look almost identical. Large twin-engine jets sit low on the ground, supported by multiple wheels arranged in similar patterns, and unless you look closely, it is easy to assume they all follow the same design philosophy. But if you take a closer look, subtle differences begin to appear, and those differences reveal some very important engineering decisions.

So in this video, we take a look at why the Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner has fewer wheels than the Airbus A350-1000, and how factors like aircraft weight, structural design, and runway limitations determine something as fundamental as how many wheels a plane needs.

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