Boeings new 787 Dreamliner

The all-new Boeing 787 Dreamliner is today’s most sophisticated source of

transportation. It is new, state of the art, and more fuel-efficient than any of today’s jets
of its size. Based on advertisements that show teal and royal blue-colored streaks swept
across the fuselage in waves, gives it a sleek, smooth look. This aircraft has already set
records for sales before the production line has even been able to produce one completed
specimen. When they launched, the project orders began rolling in, and to this day they
still have yet to let up! Making this aircraft the fastest-selling commercial airplane in
history. The industry is snatching up these aircraft like its going out of style. The
Dreamliner's size, extended range and fuel efficiency, make it ideally suited for any
airlines’ business model. Dreamliner has attracted the attention of customers operating a
variety of these type business models. “Operating successfully in the leisure market
requires flexible and innovative products. With longer range capabilities, we will be
opening up new destinations in the Americas, Asia, and Africa.” Said Peter Brown,
Chief Executive Officer of Monarch Airlines. “We are very impressed by Boeing’s use
of innovative technologies on the787, such as composite materials, which will reduce our
maintenance costs.” With this new design Boeing has captured the long-haul leisure
market.

There is a lengthy list of improvements in design that Boeing has made to become more
appealing to the leisure market. One of these improvements is the option of two
interchangeable engines. Although very high in price at seventeen million dollars each,
these engines are estimated to be well worth it. The engine alone makes up one third of
the 20 percent better fuel-efficiency of this aircraft, allowing for longer flights in shorter
time spans. The General Electric GEnx, one of the engines Boeing is using, has a carbon
fiber front fan case. The fan blades of the GEnx are made of carbon fiber and epoxy resin
composites, an innovation that will reduce engine weight by 350 lb. per engine while
substantially boosting durability. Rolls Royce also gets a chance to display their talents.
The Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engine has changed from a two-shaft design to a three-shaft
design. This new design of three shafts allows Boeing to take power off the extra
shaft to drive the plane’s electrical power with a feature called IP
(intermediate-pressure) off take. This design allows the HP, or high-
pressure compressor to do what it was designed for, compress air,
reducing the fuel burn by six percent. The second improvement is the
Dreamilner’s lightweight construction and fuel efficiency. Its materials
are 50% composite, 20% aluminum, 15% titanium, 10% steel, and 5%
other. Composite materials are significantly lighter and stronger than
traditional aircraft materials, making the 787 a very light aircraft for its
capabilities. Pretty much anything a passenger sees when observing the aircraft
parked on the ramp will be composite materials; the skin, the tail, the wing box and wing
skins, and all the large surface areas of the aircraft. The advantages of using so much
composite material instead of aluminum are far-reaching. For starters, there’s the weight
savings. The 787 is about 10,000 pounds lighter than it would be had aluminum been
used instead of composites. That’s the equivalent of 53 passengers. Compared to the
similar-sized 767-300, the lightness of composites is expected to enable 3% in fuel
savings. That feature alone should sell you on the idea that this plane saves you, the
customer, money. One of the most important improvements is Boeing’s innovative
interior design. For those who haven’t had the chance to take a look inside the 787, let
me say its something to be seen. This futuristic looking interior offers features the
modern traveler only dreams of. The cabin width is 15” greater than the Airbus A330,
allowing for larger seats, 45% more cargo capacity, and more aisle room. The airline
also features more personal space, higher humidity levels, wireless inter-net connections,
and special accommodations for people with mobility, sensory, and cognitive disabilities.
The windows are much larger, allowing for an amazing view. They will have adjustable
glare control, allowing them to dim the light coming in without restricting their view of
the horizon. The vaulted, lighted ceiling gives you a more spacious feel. To say the least,
the interior of the new Dreamliner is superior to all other competitors.

The first 787 Dreamliner is scheduled to enter passenger service in 2010 with All-Nippon
Airways (ANA). To-date, 895 aircraft have been ordered from 56 customers worldwide,
making the Dreamliner the most successful commercial airplane launch in history. The
customer base is a broad mix of operators, including international airlines, charter
operators, start-ups, and major carriers. International Lease Finance Corporation (ILFC),
a company that leases aircrafts to companies around the globe, is its largest customer
ordering a total of 74 Boeing 787’s. A few of the carrier’s that have jumped on board are
Qantas, Etihad Airways, Primaris, Air Canada, Continental, Air New Zealand, Singapore
Airlines, Air China, Air India, Monarch Airlines, Kenya Airways, Virgin Atlantic,
Ethiopian Airlines and Korean Air. In October 2008, American Airlines announced the
intention to acquire 42 787-9 aircraft, for delivery between 2012 and 2018.

The 787 will replace two Boeing aircraft, the single-aisle 757, which seats 200-280
passengers and is no longer in production; and the twin-aisle 767, which seats 181-345
passengers. The Japanese airlines are now replacing their entire fleet of Boeing 767-200s
with the new innovative Dreamliner. The new 787 will seat 240 in two-class domestic
configuration and 296 in a high-density coach arrangement. The Dreamliner will
compete with the Airbus’s A330-200, and the recently unannounced A350. The longest
range of the 787 class can be expected to fly 8000 to 8500 nautical miles. This is enough
distance to cover the Los Angeles to Bangkok or New York City to Taipei routes. The
cruise speed predicted for the 787-9 is Mach 0.85, or 561 miles per hour.

The name Dreamliner reflects a new airplane that will fulfill the dreams of airlines and
passengers with its efficient operations, enhanced cabin environment and the ability to
allow profitable connection to more cities without stopovers. This airliner in my opinion
is going to be the first of a whole new standard set in aviation. Some may ask, “Is the
Dreamliner really all its cracked up to be?” Well, I would have to say yes. With all of
the positive attributes included in the new 787, it’s hard for me to believe anyone would
be able to disagree. The fact that this aircraft is environmentally less harmful than the
other leading jets of its class is one of its top most beneficial assets. Since emissions are
largely driven by fuel use, the 787 is designed to enable, as stated above, a 20% reduction
in fuel burn. Through optimizing the design, the 787 will be substantially quieter for the
benefit of our communities, crewmembers and the passengers on board. Boeing has used
more efficient resources, with less waste in production and fewer hazardous materials.
The 787 is expected to offer operating costs that are 10% lower than that of today’s
similar commercial airplanes. Certain airlines have predicted that the lower operating
costs and improved financial performance will boost their capabilities and profit margins
more than expanding their fleet with several Boeing 767s. In my opinion competitors
like the A350 don’t even stand a chance in this race to provide absolute comfort for the
flying public.
 References

Boeing 787, In encyclopedia Wikipedia, Retrieved May 15, 2009, from

http://wikipedia.org.

Yvonne Leach (2008) Boeing, Monarch Airlines Announce Order for 787 Dreamliner,
Redorbit, Retrieved May 15, 2009, from http://www.redorbit.com/news/business/621946.

Randy Tinseth (2009, May 17) Conference Call, Message posted to www.boeing
blogs.com/Randy.