787: The Dreamliner

The 747 may be the Queen of the Skies. But the 787 will replace it. The 747 is 50 years old. It is no longer the way people travel. The Dreamliner is the future. The way Boeing see air travel. 

However, the 747 is not the only aircraft the Dreamliner will replace. The 757. And the 767. Both are to be replaced by the 787. The Dreamliner is designed to go far distances. Distances only previously provided by wide body airliners. 

How was the 787 brought into being?

The 787 originally came around in the 1990’s. Sales of the 767 and 747-400 were slowing. Two new aircraft were proposed to prop up sales. The 747X and the Sonic Cruiser. The 747X would be a lengthened 747-400. The Sonic Cruiser would travel at Mach 0.98. Both whilst burning due at the same rate. 

Airlines did not show interest in the 747X. However, many airlines showed interest in the Sonic Cruiser. Although some airlines expressed concerns about operating costs. After the September 11th attacks. Airlines had a new goal. Efficiency, not speed. The airlines who were worst affected were the American ones. The same airlines who were interested in the Sonic Cruiser. 

The Sonic Cruiser was abandoned on 20 December 2002. On 29 January 2003, Boeing announced their alternative. The 7E7. ‘E’ standing for efficiency. The 7E7 used the Sonic Cruiser’s technology. But in a more conventional layout. Boeing listened to focus groups. The hub-and-spoke theory is irrelevant. The point-to-point theory is king. 

In July 2003, a public naming competition was held. What would be the name for the 7E7? 500,000 names were submitted. One was chosen. Dreamliner. Other names shortlisted were eLiner, Global Cruiser, and Stratoclimber. 

On 26 April 2006, ANA (All Nippon Airways) announced the purchase of 50 7E7’s. Now named the 787. The delivery date was scheduled for late 2008. ANA’s was order was initially specified as 30 787-3, 290–330 seat, one-class domestic aircraft. Combined with 20 787-8, long-haul, 210–250 seat, two-class configuration. The 787-3 and 787-8 were the first variants. The 787-9 was introduced in 2010. 

The Dreamliner was the first airliner with a single-piece composite sections. Instead of the multiple sheets of aluminium. Boeing used new engines to power the Dreamliner. The Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 and the General Electric GEnx. Boeing stated that the Dreamliner would be 20% more efficient than the 767. Not a measly feat. 

787: the present and the future 

The Dreamliner is an impressive aircraft. Qantas airlines is using the 787-9 for an amazing feat. Perth to London Heathrow. Without stops. Something never before done. Not by an A380. Not by a 747. It is a distance of 9,000 miles. Lasting 17 hours and 20 minutes. And it’s the first flight of its kind.

The Dreamliner is the future of aviation. And airlines know this. Forbes reports that 500 have been serviced across the world. After only 5 years of production. However there is a problem with the Dreamliner. It’s loosing money. In the next 3-5 years, there’ll be a problem.