United launches first 787 Dreamliner

[joseephuss]

http://www.upi.com/Business_News/2012/11/05/United-launches-first-787-Dreamliner/UPI-16021352141993/

United launches first 787 Dreamliner

HOUSTON, Nov. 5 (UPI) -- Jeff Smisek, the head of United Airlines, said the company put itself in an industry-leading position as it launched its first Boeing 787 Dreamliner flight.

"If you want to be the world's leading airline, you need to have the world's leading airplane and we have that today in the new Boeing 787 Dreamliner," the company's president and chief executive officer said.

Smisek was on hand to watch the company's inaugural flight for the 219-seat passenger plane that is small on seats by jumbo-jet standards, but is expected to create new opportunities for airlines, due to its fuel efficiency.

With a fuselage, tail and wings of a composite material including light carbon fibers, the 787 Dreamliner is expected to burn 20 percent less fuel and make it possible for airlines to fly long-distance flights on routes that previously required jumbo jets to make them profitable, The Houston Chronicle reported Monday.

Read more: http://www.upi.com/Business_News/20...-Dreamliner/UPI-16021352141993/#ixzz2BOMk5N4Z

 

[03EBZ06]

I remember several years ago when Airbus was in very early design phase of A380 and Boeing was really considering going big as well but in the end they decided to go with slimmer and fuel efficient airplane. The employees were given a chance to name this new airplane internally and I don't remember what name I submitted it whoever came up with "Dreamliner" got some reward for it.

I'm in Military Aircraft division and we were supporting commercial division for while so I'm glad commercial division is doing much better to sustain themselves.

 

[WoodysGirl]

I know a few people happy about this...

 

[Meat-O-Rama]

Don't know when I'll ever get a chance to fly on one, but looking forward to seeing them coming in and out of LAX.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

I know a few people happy about this...

I know one very specifically. To that person, I say congratulations and a very strong "Well Done!"

 

[big dog cowboy]

It's about damn time we delivered one of these to a USA customer.

There are very few people that have the opportunity to be inside one of those planes yet. I'm here to tell you it is awesome. I just wish that program weren't 3 years behind schedule.

 

[03EBZ06]

Boeing has taken the first formal step toward launching a third version of the Dreamliner, the stretch 787-10.

“We are beginning to discuss more details about the airplane with customers,” spokeswoman Karen Crabtree said Wednesday. She said the talks are conditional “upon our obtaining final board approval to launch the program at a yet-to-be determined date.”

That implies Boeing’s board gave the go-ahead at its October meeting for the last step before formally launching a new plane, known as “authority to offer.”

It means the sales force at Boeing’s Commercial Airplanes can go out and talk terms and pricing with airlines.

Once they have an attractive deal that’s big enough to launch a new airplane program, airplane executives must go back to the board one more time to win a firm commitment to build the jet. That could come late this year or early next.

Last month, Daniel Tsang, an industry analyst with Aspire Aviation, reported British Airways and Singapore Airlines are in advanced discussions about a launch order.

Boeing had earlier targeted 2016 for delivering the 787-10 to customers, though that may have slipped a year or two.

The jet, which will carry up to 40 more passengers than the 787-9 but not fly as far, is thought to have a large potential market with airlines seeking a fuel-efficient plane for international routes shorter than ultra-long-haul routes like, say, Seattle to Singapore.

“We anticipate strong market demand for this third and largest member of the 787 Dreamliner family,” Crabtree said.

The 787-8, seating up to 250 passengers, is already flying; 35 have been delivered so far. With a range of 9,400 miles, it could reach Singapore from Seattle.

The second model, the 787-9, seating up to 290 passengers, flies up to 9,800 miles. The first one is due to be delivered in early 2014.

The 787-10 would be stretched 18 feet longer than the 787-9 and seat up to 320 to 330 passengers.