Boeing 787

Everyone has been anticipating the arrival of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner.  And it’s here!  This new and unique plane has much to offer to passengers, airlines, and the environment:

• 250-290 passenger seat arrangements
• 8,000-8,500 nm range
• 20% less fuel consumption than other similar size planes
• Travels at Mach .85
• Higher humidity levels in cabin for more passenger comfort
• Creates numerous new city pairs

The design of the plane is something new as well.  It is made up of 50% composite material which is lighter than aluminum.  It is also made of less, but bigger pieces.  The fuselage is one big piece which has fewer rivets and seams, reducing airflow interruption (better fuel) and less maintenance required.  The Boeing 787 has brand new engines for better fuel consumption.

Boeing has 56 customers from 6 different countries.  With 821 orders, that’s $145 billion.  And after a successful first flight on December 15, 2009, airlines and passengers can’t wait for the orders to be filled. 

With Boeing’s new success, is it disturbing the competition?  Well, we all know that the competition is the Airbus A380.  The A380 has a lot of things going for it: can carry up to over 800 people, has a cocktail bar, some have showers, and sleeping quarters.  This is all well and good, but it sounds expensive.  Forbes and I think that people (normal people (non-rich people)) will better appreciate the B787 with fewer people, shorter boarding times, and more city pairs over the A380 outrageous accommodations.      

Whether it Boeing or Airbus, I think that this will create a lot of jobs: pilots, a lot of flight attendants, managers, trainers, airport designers, and construction workers.  Both planes are going to help people to get where they need to go and stimulate the economy.