Boeing unveils its green machine of the future
Boeing yesterday unveiled its new “green” passenger jet, the 787 Dreamliner, boasting a series of fuel-efficient design features that have driven huge airline demand.
The new 787, purchased by dozens of airlines including Qantas, rolled out yesterday for its first public appearance at Boeing’s giant plant at Everett, north of Seattle, on Sunday, with the Dreamliner, Boeing’s first new model in 13 years, taking advantage of big advances made in aviation technology in the past decade, and was designed using high-tech plastic composites instead of aluminium.
Up to 50% of the primary structure of the plane, including the fuselage and wing are made of composites such as carbon-fibre, which reduce the weight of the aircraft.
“The 787 will use 20% less fuel for comparable flights than today’s similarly sized airplane,” Boeing said in a statement.
The promise of lower fuel costs at a time of rising oil prices in a sector where profit margins are already razor-thin has whetted the appetites of several key airline industry players.
Boeing, which aims to build 2000 Dreamliners over the next two decades, has so far received 677 orders from 47 companies for the plane, which has an asking price of between $US146 million ($A170 million) to $US200 million.
Qantas said it was buying an additional 20 787s on top of an order for 65 planes placed in December 2005.
The plane will make its maiden test flight later this year before going into commercial service with All Nippon Airways in May 2008, with The Japanese company placing its first order four years ago.
With its order books full, Boeing said it would only be able to deliver any new orders signed on Sunday in 2015, the Dreamliner coming in three models for both medium and long-haul flights. It has a seating capacity of between 210 and 330 places.
Able to fly up to 15,750 kilometres without refuelling, it could easily manage a flight between New York and Manila, or Moscow and Sao Paulo, routes so far only open to bigger planes such as Boeing’s 777 or 747.
Boeing hopes the Dreamliner will be used to open up profitable flights between cities that so far have no direct links.
The Dreamliner’s other innovations include greater levels of comfort for passengers, with bigger windows, higher humidity levels within the cabin, which is expected to reduce passenger dehydration, and a new anti-turbulence system.
The 787 will go into service after Airbus A380 takes to the skies, with analysts saying the Dreamliner and the A380 reflect the different strategies of Boeing and Airbus as they seek to achieve cheaper air travel.
For a full review, images and video clips visit:
http://www.boeing.com/commercial/787family/gallery/index.html
http://www.boeing.com/commercial/video.html#787
Report by The Mole and media sources
John Alwyn-Jones
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