Apr 08, 2025
At AIX 2025, Boeing Global Services recognized its collaboration with Northwest Aerospace Technologies (NAT) on interior modifications for the 787 Dreamliner. Left to right: Julie Small, Sales Director, NAT. Bret Bolkcom, Commercial Modifications Senior Director, Boeing.
Boeing has granted Northwest Aerospace Technologies (NAT) a limited license on several projects that will expand collaboration on interior modifications for the 787 Dreamliner.
Each limited license will enable NAT to handle cabin design and engineering for most 787 interior commodities and to develop FAA Supplemental Type Certificates (STCs) for a defined number of airplanes. Under the license, Boeing will also supply parts for the modifications and provide technical support.
A ceremony held in Hamburg at the Aircraft Interiors Expo recognized progress on NAT’s first project under limited license.
“This collaboration is part of Boeing’s ongoing effort to expand 787 interior modification capacity and choice in the market,” said Bret Bolkcom, Commercial Modifications Senior Director at Boeing. “By completing engineering on the first airline project under limited license, NAT has demonstrated its ability to integrate complex 787 interior modifications.”
Left to right: Julie Small, Sales Director, NAT. John A. Schmidt, VP and General Manager, NAT. Bret Bolkcom, Commercial Modifications Senior Director, Boeing.
“We are thrilled to collaborate with Boeing on this unique opportunity to support our airline customers,” said John A. Schmidt, VP and General Manager, NAT. “We look forward to continuing to work with Boeing on this important initiative.”
“Air New Zealand was the launch customer for the 787-9 over ten years ago, so it seems fitting that we are the first to be retrofitting these aircraft nose-to-tail with NAT and Boeing,” said Air New Zealand Chief Executive, Greg Foran. “It’s been a collaborative process that has allowed us to introduce our new cabin interiors ahead of our new line-fit aircraft with the same interior, meaning we can deliver our enhanced customer experience onboard sooner.”
Apart from this first project with Air New Zealand, NAT is already engaged as the integrator on additional 787 interior modifications projects for other customers under limited license.
Boeing continues to perform 787 interior modifications at scale with both FAA and EASA certifications. Additionally, in 2024, Boeing designated Lufthansa Technik as the first 787 Boeing-Licensed Service Center (BLSC).
Learn more: Boeing Interior Modifications
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