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 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.