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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.
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