Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner Returns to Northeast Montana for Further Testing at Former Glasgow Air Force Base

A Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner has been making repeated flights over northeast Montana this week as part of the company's latest aircraft testing program at the former Glasgow Air Force Base.

The aircraft, flying under the callsign BOE14, is taking part in Boeing's 2026 ecoDemonstrator Explorer program, which evaluates new technologies designed to reduce aircraft noise and improve fuel efficiency.

The testing is being conducted at the former Glasgow Air Force Base, where Boeing owns a portion of the former military installation through its subsidiary, Montana Aviation Research Company. The facility has served as one of Boeing's primary flight-test locations for decades because of its nearly 11,800-foot runway, low air traffic, and wide-open airspace.

During the test program, engineers collect data while pilots fly the aircraft using different flap settings, landing gear configurations, and engine power levels. Specialized equipment on the ground measures aircraft noise and performance, helping Boeing evaluate technologies that could be incorporated into future commercial aircraft.

The 787-9 being used in the program is scheduled for delivery to Lufthansa after testing is complete.

While the 787-9 Dreamliner is not a new aircraft model—it entered commercial service in 2014—it remains one of Boeing's most advanced long-range passenger jets and continues to serve as a platform for testing next-generation aviation technologies.

Residents can expect to see the Dreamliner operating in the skies over the Glasgow area as testing continues over the coming weeks.