Boeing Retires Final 787-8 Testbed After Nearly 16 Years

Aircraft supported certification, engine validation, and technology testing for the Dreamliner program.

Ryan Ewing

Thursday, February 12, 2026 at 03:30 PM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Travis Tingle

ZA004 takes off for its final flight from Boeing Field in Seattle [Credit: Boeing]

Key Takeaways:

Boeing's last 787-8 flight test aircraft, ZA004, has retired after nearly 16 years of crucial service to the Dreamliner program.
The aircraft accumulated over 2,250 flight hours across 670+ sorties, contributing significantly to 787 certification, engine evaluation, and flight system validation.
ZA004 notably served as Boeing's second ecoDemonstrator, testing technologies for fuel efficiency and emissions reduction, and assisted in critical software upgrades.
Following its final flight, ZA004 will be stored at Pinal Airpark in Arizona to support future training, research, and parts reclamation.

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Boeing’s last Boeing 787-8 flight test airplane, designated ZA004 (originally registered N7874), completed its final mission Wednesday, marking the end of nearly 16 years in service supporting the Dreamliner program.

ZA004 departed Boeing Field (KBFI) in Seattle on its final test flight before being flown to Pinal Airpark (KMZJ) in Marana, Arizona, where it will enter long-term storage and support training, research, parts reclamation, and other development activities.