Boeing’s new plane orders based largely on fuel savings
Why has Boeing been so successful in getting hundreds of orders for its new 787’s?
The sales pitch that says the new planes replace much of the aluminum on planes with lighter composite materials helps because it means the planes use less fuel and cost less to maintain.
“But Boeing says it has designed everything inside the plane, from air filters and electric generators to high-tech cabin lighting and in-flight-entertainment systems, with an equally steadfast eye toward cost-cutting and comfort,” says the AP.
The 787 will have much less wiring than the comparably sized 767 — about 61 miles (98 kilometers) compared to 91 (145) — which will make it cheaper and easier for airlines to repair while opening up space for bigger overhead bins and more elbow room for passengers.
“In-flight entertainment systems will be lighter and more simply wired and will feature seat-back monitors and handsets with tiny keyboards on the back so that someday — engineers are not yet sure when — they can be used for things like instant messaging,” adds the AP.
The plane will burn fuel more efficiently and sap less energy from its engines, because its systems will be powered almost entirely by high-voltage electric generators, rather than the typical system that runs on air sucked through the engines.
Some of the 787’s new features have nothing to do with cost, just comfort. There is software, for example, that’s designed to help the plane respond more quickly to up-and-down wind gusts in the frequency that most often triggers motion sickness.
Report by David Wilkening
David
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