Pilot becomes first person ever to land Boeing 787 Dreamliner in Antarctica in historic and truly surreal footage
Published on Jan 02, 2026 at 5:25 PM (UTC+4)
by Keelin McNamara
Last updated on Jan 02, 2026 at 5:25 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Emma Matthews
This pilot has become the first person ever to land a Boeing 787 Dreamliner in Antarctica.
And it’s a feat that you’ll have to see in order to believe.
The incredible achievement was pulled off by a pilot working for Norse Atlantic Airways.
And the feat has been captured in some breathtaking footage.
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Boeing 787 Dreamliner touches down on the ice
A Boeing 787 Dreamliner operated by Norse Atlantic Airways did something remarkable.
The aircraft achieved the unbelievable feat back in November of 2023.
Capable of carrying around 300 passengers, the Norse Atlantic Airways flight landed at Troll Airfield in Antarctica.
And Flight N0787 was greeted…by a swathe of ice and snow.
That’s because the runway is made of ice and snow, measuring 9,840 feet long by 100 feet wide.
Before you start packing your winter gear, there is one important detail to note.
This landmark achievement wasn’t a holiday flight.
Instead, this pioneering flight dropped off 45 researchers and 12 tons of gear.
Most of the passengers work for the Norwegian Polar Institute.
They were heading to the Troll research station located in Queen Maud Land, Antarctica.
Why was this chosen for the Antarctica mission?
So why was a Boeing 787 Dreamliner chosen for the job?
Well, it wasn’t a random or accidental choice.
Instead, the 787 Dreamliner was chosen for a few reasons.
First, it was selected for its roomy cargo holds – the plane can hold more than 5,000 cubic feet of space.
This made it ideal for carrying those 12 tons of equipment.
The second key reason for its choice was its fuel efficiency.
It flew from Cape Town to Antarctica and back again – on one, single tank of fuel.
Such fuel efficiency dealt with the ‘logistical complexities of transporting, storing, and handling fuel in Antarctica,’ according to Paul Erlandsson, a Boeing field service representative.
As you might imagine, Antarctica lacks what might be called a traditional runway.
This means that planes have to land on ‘blue ice’ runways.
The video above shows the pilot absolutely nailing the landing on one of the trickiest runways in the world.
It will be intriguing to see if further landings are now made on the ice of Antarctica.
Keelin McNamara is a content writer at Supercar Blondie from Ireland, covering cars, technology, and lifestyle. Despite being a Law graduate, he discovered his passion for journalism during the COVID-19 pandemic, and has worked in the industry ever since. Outside of work, he is an avid MotoGP fan, and is a self-confessed addict of the sport.
