A British Airways Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner has been stranded at an airport in the US for more than two months after reportedly suffering significant damage. The 12-year-old aircraft, registered as G-ZBJF, arrived at Pittsburgh International Airport in Pennsylvania from London Heathrow on August 28. A ground service vehicle is understood to have collided with the plane, damaging its underside and leaving it unable to take off again.
Collision and Damage
The Dreamliner was due to operate a return flight to London later that evening, but more than 70 days later the aircraft remains grounded at Pittsburgh. A mobile baggage belt loader is believed to have struck the underside of the plane near one of its cargo doors, reportedly piercing the fuselage and leaving a hole in its exterior.
The full extent of the damage has not been confirmed, but reports from aviation enthusiasts suggest the plane may have also suffered problems with its landing gear. Around half of the Boeing 787’s primary structure is made from composite materials, including large sections of its fuselage and wings, meaning specialist inspections and repairs may be needed.
Repair Options and Costs
A report has suggested it could be moved to Cincinnati Northern Kentucky International Airport, where maintenance provider FEAM Aero operates a facility, according to Simple Flying. Another possibility is that it could be sent to Boeing’s 787 facilities in Seattle.
The prolonged grounding is likely to be costly for the airline, with repair bills, lost revenue and airport parking charges all adding to the expense. The Allegheny County Airport Authority, which operates Pittsburgh International Airport, has put the cost of parking the aircraft at around $175,000.
Previous Grounding
The incident is also not the first time G-ZBJF has spent an extended period out of service this year. The aircraft arrived at Cardiff Airport on December 19, 2025, for maintenance checks and remained there until August 6.
