Case 39: Boeing 787 Dreamliner Project

During Jan 2003, Boeing decided to go ahead with a development designation to develop a new super-efficient midsized airplane—the Boeing 787 with the focus on efficiency, economics, environmental performance, comfort and convenience along with e-enabled systems. The Boeing 787 was developed as a 200–250 seat airplane to provide nonstop, point to point service. The project though was expected to deliver the new airplane to customers by 2004 got delayed and the new planes entered into service by the year 2009. The 787 became the fastest selling wide body airplane in history. On Dec 15 2009, the 787 Dreamliner made its first flight from Paine Field in Everett, Washington. The 787-8 Dreamliner can accommodate 210–250 passengers on routes of 7650–8200 nautical miles while the 787-9 Dreamliner can carry passengers in the range of 250–290 on routes of 8000–8500 nautical miles. During the Paris Air Show held on June 18, 2013, Boeing launched the third member of the 787 family—787-10 Dreamliner. This series had orders for 102 airplanes from five customers. This longest aircraft of the 787 family achieved firm configuration in April 2014 and was scheduled for delivery in the year 2018. The new 787-10 has seating capacity in the range of 300–330 passengers and was designed to fly up to 7000 nautical miles. The new 787-10 aircraft covered more than 90% of the world’s twin aisle routes. The engines for the 787 aircrafts were provided by General Electric and Rolls Royce. The 787 is a groundbreaker in design, build and technology. It is the first airplane in which the composite materials form approximately 50% of the primary structure. The 787 Dreamliner can achieve 20–25% greater fuel efficiency and lesser carbon emissions.