Boeing launches bigger Dreamliner 787-10

Boeing today officially launched the 787-10 Dreamliner, a bigger, third member of the super-efficient 787 family, at the 2013 Paris Air Show, securing orders for 102 airplanes from five customers across Europe, Asia and North America.

Of the total customer launch commitments for the newest Dreamliner 787-10, Singapore Airlines and Air Lease Corporation have placed orders for 30 aircraft each while United Airlines will buy 20, GE Capital Aviation Services 10 and International Airlines Group / British Airways will buy 12 of the 787-10 aircraft, subject to shareholder approval.

The new 787-10 will fly up to 7,000 nautical miles (12,964 km) - covering more than 90 per cent of the world's twin-aisle routes - with seating for 300-330 passengers, depending on an airline's configuration choices.

A second member of the family, the 787-9, is in the final assembly in Everett, Washington, and is set to make its first flight later this year.

"The 787-10 Dreamliner will be the most-efficient jetliner in history. The airplane's operating economics are unmatched and it has all the incredible passenger-pleasing features that set the 787 family apart as truly special," said Boeing Commercial Airplanes president and CEO Ray Conner. "The 787-10 is 25 per cent more efficient than airplanes of its size today and more than 10 per cent better than anything being offered by the competition for the future."

Design of the 787-10 has already started and Boeing said it would involve international partners in detailed design in the months ahead. Final assembly and flight test of the 787-10 are set to begin in 2017, with first delivery targeted for 2018.

"Our ongoing investment in the 787 family is well-founded," said Conner.  "With the 787-10, we've designed an exceptional airplane supported by an efficient and integrated production system that can meet increasing demands and create new opportunities for us. Our team and our customers are excited about growing the product line and expanding our presence with this family of airplanes."

The 787 series boasts of technologies that make flights more enjoyable, including large, dimmable windows; cleaner air; higher humidity; lower cabin altitude; bigger stowage bins; soothing LED lighting and a smoother ride.

The 787-10 will share a common type rating not only with the 787-8 and 787-9 but also with the popular Boeing 777, giving airlines additional flexibility in scheduling and training flight crews.