Boeing 787 Dreamliner: Next Generation Commercial Airliner

Boeing today had its first physical test flight of its new 787 Dreamliner, a project beset by delays and cost overruns. This flight has been delayed by two years amidst an economic recession and airline cutbacks according to the Los Angeles Times.

The Dreamliner is not made of normal materials for airplanes such as aluminum. It is made of super hardened plastic that makes the airliner lighter and more fuel efficient. Airbus, the European airplane manufacturer that is Boeing's chief rival, will be launching a similar plane in four years.

Next Generation Commercial Travel

Also according to the L.A. Times, the plane's design was conceived in 2003 and ran into trouble when the plastic frame had to be reinforced with heavier titanium which added weight to the design. Still, Boeing's 787 Dreamliner will be able to fly farther than a 747 even though it carries fewer passengers. A huge 747 can carry around 400 passengers and up to 500 depending on its configuration and fly up to 9,000 nautical miles. The new 787 Dreamliner will carry around 250 passengers around 8,000 nautical miles.

The Dreamliner is designed to fly people to non-hub airports more efficiently, as opposed to many people over long flights like the 747. Huge airplanes such as 747s and the Airbus A380 require special airport requirements that can only be found at larger terminals. With more passengers needing economical ways to fly, Boeing's 787 is designed to bring airlines' costs down to manageable levels while still maintaining a high level of efficiency.

Production

Boeing has stated that a Dreamliner will save 20% on fuel costs and travel at similar speeds to a 747 when it reaches cruising altitude. That means traveling at 85% the speed of sound on some of the world's most efficient engines. Since there have been production delays and re-designs, surely those numbers may change. But still, Boeing is at the forefront of airplane technology. It remains to be seen whether this move will embolden the airline industry with money savings at it moves into the 21st Century with smaller and faster jets.

The airlines are still competing with cost effectiveness regarding buses and trains as they are cheaper and broadening their horizons as populations and cities get larger. Watching video of the flight, what strikes me the most are the wings. It appears the wings are a bit lighter and they sweep up, almost like a huge bird gliding through the air. If this airplane lives up the hype, I can't wait for the future.