It’s got the longest range for any aircraft in its class, it feels much quieter, it’s got higher humidity levels and better pressure levels that those using it for long routes won’t feel as much jet lag when compared to previous generation aircraft.
The 787 program was launched in April 2004 with a record order from All-Nippon Airways of 50 pieces. It’s been a rough journey however, with more than three years of delays and billions in dollars of unanticipated costs, but now the innovative jetliner is starting to win awards and money for both Boeing and Airlines that have waited so long. The passengers love it before even boarding it, according to the airlines operating the 787, most passengers will book flights on the 787 just for the perfect travel experience. For the Flight simulator enthusiasts, this one will be a long wait for an add-on worth buying given software developments times of late.
This Plastic Beauty will virtually connect any two cities on this planet without refueling. The 787-8 Dreamliner will carry 210 - 250 passengers on routes of 7,650 to 8,200 nautical miles (14,200 to 15,200 kilometers), while the 787-9 Dreamliner will carry 250 - 290 passengers on routes of 8,000 to 8,500 nautical miles (14,800 to 15,750 kilometers).
The 787 consumes 20% less fuel compared to older generation planes, and with over 800 orders, this is surely a success for Boeing. The task now remains as to how many planes they can deliver yearly. The key to the exceptional performance of the 787 Dreamliner is a suite of new technologies developed and applied on the airplane. Composite materials make up 50 percent of the primary structure of the 787 including the fuselage and wing. New engines from General Electric and Rolls-Royce are used on the 787. Advances in engine technology are the biggest contributor to overall fuel efficiency improvements. The new engines represent nearly a two-generation jump in technology for the middle of the market.
Below is the material breakdown on the 787.
- Composites - 50%
- Aluminum - 20%
- Titanium - 15%
- Steel - 10%
- Other - 5%
On its first flight with ANA, the plane got mixed reviews from the lucky passengers who managed to get hold of a ticket. Only 100 seats on the 264-seat jet were made available to the general public, and ANA received more than 25,000 applications for those. The other 140 on board were a mix of journalists, airline officials and other industry workers. Also among those 140: six business-class fliers who bid for their seats on Flight 7871 via auction. One passenger — Gino Bertuccio of Miami — paid more than $33,000 via that auction to get his spot on the inaugural flight. He also flew on the inaugural flight of the Airbus A380 in 2007.
The 787's closest competitor the A350 from airbus is suffering from development delays which is a boost to the smooth induction of the the 787. Of course the Airbus lovers can only sit back and wait their turn to rejoice but in the meantime, its Boeing's time. Will the A350 outdo the 787,that remains to be seen.
The ANA survey of 800 passengers flying the Dreamliner from Tokyo to Frankfurt found four in five believed the new aircraft's higher humidity levels met or exceeded expectations and 92 per cent said the cabin ambience was as good as or better than they expected. Air quality and cabin pressure met or exceeded expectations for nine in 10 passengers and four in 10 said headroom was better than expected.
The big windows met or exceeded the expectations of 90 per cent of passengers and passengers commented favorably on the aircraft’s electronic blinds, which can dim the windows by pressing button.
Air quality and cabin pressure met or exceeded expectations for nine in 10 passengers and four in 10 said headroom was better than expected.
The big windows met or exceeded the expectations of 90 per cent of passengers and passengers commented favorably on the aircraft’s electronic blinds, which can dim the windows by pressing button.
Four in 10 of those surveyed had chosen the flight because it was on a Dreamliner and 98 per cent said they would fly it again. Only 12 per cent had not heard of the plane before they got on board.
So will the glowing reviews of the 787 hold up as the Dreamliner's passenger counts soar and as more airlines begin to fly the jet — possibly in less customer-friendly configurations than Boeing had envisioned? In the end, though, how the plane is received will mostly come down to the way its operators tailor and customize the experience.
Do you love knowing about planes, check out the rest of the blog.
No comments:
Post a Comment