The Boeing 787 Dreamliner is on target for first flight in 2007 and service entry in mid-2008, Boeing said at Asian Aerospace yesterday.
“We are on target and on schedule and our partners are gearing up for volume production,” said Marty Bentrott, vice-president 787 sales, marketing and in-service support.
Updating progress on the three-variant long-range twin programme, Bentrott said he expected that other variants would be added as the market develops.
“If you look at how the 777 programme developed, one can see a point in time in the future when there will probably be other family members,” he said.
Referring to the 787-10, which is under study, he said it will be a stretch of the 787-9 and provide more seating capacity. A final decision will depend on further market analysis, he said.
Bentrott said that Boeing not only has orders and commitments for 379 aircraft (from 27 carriers), the manufacturer has proposals with other airlines which, if realised, would raise the total to 1,000 aircraft.
“We are making fabulous progress in the marketplace,” he said. “We are really excited by the geographical breadth of the customers and also in terms of the differing business models, from major airlines to low-cost carriers.”
He added that the aircraft featured a whole range of new features, from the fuel-efficient engines to the more spacious cabins and wireless in-flight entertainment system.
Originally planned as an eight-abreast cabin, more than half the customers have moved to nine-abreast configurations and Bentrott said he expected that trend to continue.
“What we have learned from the customer is that nine-abreast is equivalent to 747 economy class levels today,” he said.
The aisle width remains the same with space coming from creating narrower arm rests.
With composites making up 50% of the aircraft by weight, Bentrott said that maintenance costs would be 30% lower than for the Boeing 767. He dismissed fears that the use of composites in the fuselage left the aircraft prone to apron damage that could take it out service. Running repairs would easily be undertaken, he insisted.
“We are on target and on schedule and our partners are gearing up for volume production,” said Marty Bentrott, vice-president 787 sales, marketing and in-service support.
Updating progress on the three-variant long-range twin programme, Bentrott said he expected that other variants would be added as the market develops.
“If you look at how the 777 programme developed, one can see a point in time in the future when there will probably be other family members,” he said.
Referring to the 787-10, which is under study, he said it will be a stretch of the 787-9 and provide more seating capacity. A final decision will depend on further market analysis, he said.
Bentrott said that Boeing not only has orders and commitments for 379 aircraft (from 27 carriers), the manufacturer has proposals with other airlines which, if realised, would raise the total to 1,000 aircraft.
“We are making fabulous progress in the marketplace,” he said. “We are really excited by the geographical breadth of the customers and also in terms of the differing business models, from major airlines to low-cost carriers.”
He added that the aircraft featured a whole range of new features, from the fuel-efficient engines to the more spacious cabins and wireless in-flight entertainment system.
Originally planned as an eight-abreast cabin, more than half the customers have moved to nine-abreast configurations and Bentrott said he expected that trend to continue.
“What we have learned from the customer is that nine-abreast is equivalent to 747 economy class levels today,” he said.
The aisle width remains the same with space coming from creating narrower arm rests.
With composites making up 50% of the aircraft by weight, Bentrott said that maintenance costs would be 30% lower than for the Boeing 767. He dismissed fears that the use of composites in the fuselage left the aircraft prone to apron damage that could take it out service. Running repairs would easily be undertaken, he insisted.
Source: Flight Daily News
