Northwest spends $2.2 billion on 787s with options for more

Northwest Airline became the first airline in North America to bring 787’s into their fleet with a $2.2 billion purchase of 68 Boeing 787 Dreamliners.

Said Doug Steenland, Northwest president and ceo:

“The Boeing 787 provides Northwest Airlines with a new-generation, long-range aircraft that will allow us to tailor our growing international route system to best address our customers’ travel needs.”

Northwest also has rights to buy 50 more of the airlines, which will begin production next year.

The company says the 787’s size, range, speed and operating economics make it a match for Northwest’s routes and fleet plans.

The airline is said to be 50% more fuel efficient per trip than Northwest’s current 747-200s and DC-10-30s.

The Dreamliner will provide passenger innovations that include wider seats and aisles, larger windows and other conveniences.

The 787 is a family of airlines in the 200-to 300-seat class that can carry passengers on routes between 3,500 and 8,500 nautical miles. The 787s fly as fast as Mach 0.85, as fast as today’s speediest commercial carriers, while using much less fuel.

Northwest is the world’s fourth-largest airline with US hubs in Detroit, Minneapolis/St. Paul and Memphis.

Report by David Wilkening