Yesterday, Boeing unveiled it’s 787 Dreamline, a plane which is “technologically advanced and environmentally progressive”.

About 15,000 people assembled at Boeing’s final assembly unit in Washington to get their first glimpse of the new aircraft. The plane is supposedly greener than other similar planes thanks to it’s design which means it uses 20% less fuel per passenger, producing fewer carbon emissions and has quieter take-offs and landings.

The plane is also made of composite materials – one example that Boeing cites is it’s one-piece fuselage section which it claims eliminates 1,500 aluminium steets and 40,000 – 50,000 fasteners.

The first 787 flight is expected to take place in late August/early September with six of the planes already ear-marked for a test programme. Boeing are anticipating that the Dreamliner will make it’s first commercial trip in May 2008 under the All Nippon Airlines banner. The Dreamliner appears to appeal to airlines with 677 advance orders already on Boeing’s books from 47 separate airlines at a combined cost of more than $110 billion – the most successful commerical airline launch to date.

The 787-8 Dreamliner is capable of carrying up to 250 passengers on routes of 7,650 – 8,200 nautical miles (14,200 – 15, 200 km).
The 787-9 Dreamliner can carry up to 290 passengers on routes of 8,000 – 8,500 nautical miles (14,800 – 15, 750 km).
The 787-3 Dreamliner will be able to carry up to 330 passengers and will be optimized for routes between 2,500 – 3,050 nautical iles (4,600 – 5,650 km).

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