The Boeing 787 (or 7E7 prior to 28/1/05) is a super-efficient airplane with new passenger-pleasing features. It will bring the economics of large jet transports to the middle of the market, using 20 percent less fuel than any other airplane of its size.
The 787 was originally called the 7E7 during the first part of its development stage. Boeing states they were trying to stress how much more efficient and economical the the new plane will be over any previous production aircraft built to date, it is also common practice for Boeing to use a letter designation for any development aircraft.
The 787s twin aisle configuration can hold 200 passengers in in three-class configuration and over 300 in single-class configuration, and is destined to replace both the 757 and 767 aircraft.
Other features on the 787 Dreamliner will include the largest windows ever introduced on an aeroplane, the biggest overhead cabin bins available and a new stylish interior design aimed at giving the passenger a more pleasurable flying experience. The planes will also be fully networked to not only allow passengers to surf the net and send emails, but to also give the crew more information about the plane than before.
Boeing have set out to develop the 787 as an efficient operating plane, Boeing have found the customers of the aeroplanes, are demanding lower running costs due to the competition in the airline industry.
Airlines are increasing lowing their prices to the customer and need to maintain their profit margins, that is why Boeing need to make their planes cheap to run. The Airbus A320 was designed as a economical plane and targeted at Boeing’s smaller 737 plane. Today many airlines are adding the A320s to their fleet instead of 737s.
The 787 is expected to start production in 2006 and be first delivered to a customer in 2008. Its sleek appearance makes it look fast and efficient. In fact when Boeing first looked at the idea of replacing 757 and 767 they released sketches of what were to become a modern Concorde type of plane called the sonic cruiser. The airlines didn’t show much interest in the Sonic Cruiser, telling Boeing they needed efficiency rather than a super-fast plane. This is when Boeing dropped the Sonic Cruiser concept and started work on the 7E7.
Efficiency is the major reason why aeroplane manufactures update their products, its what the airlines demand. One of the most popular plane designs of the 70s, the 727, would not be touched today by major airlines. Although it was popular and could land on short runways, It required a three person cockpit crew, was expensive to run and would need major modification today to land at some US airports due to the noise it makes.
