Lighter, stronger, smarter

Charlie Burr

This morning's Oregonian features a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at Boeing's new 787 Dreamliner, and how it's changing air travel and operational costs for airlines. Read about how Boeing's investment in a more fuel-efficient airliner is paying off here and here.

The lighter composite material of the Dreamliner reduces fuel consumption -- with a target reduction of 20 percent -- and pushes down the seat-mile, the cost of moving a passenger one mile.

Plastics -- derided as flimsy and fake since at least 1967, when Dustin Hoffman's film character in "The Graduate" spurned them as a career -- may finally get respect with a jet expected to revolutionize aviation.

Composite materials are lighter and stronger than aluminum, enabling quicker assembly, lower fuel consumption, cheaper operation -- and cabin improvements ranging from bigger windows to more comfortable air pressure.

Boeing plans to unveil the first 787 in July -- on the auspicious date of 7/8/07. Delivery is planned to begin next year. But the jet is already so hot that 38 airlines have ordered 490 planes at $150 million or so a pop -- the best wide-body launch in industry history.

The 787 catapults Boeing ahead of archrival Airbus, which is mired in delays building its 555-passenger A380 superjumbo. The light weight of the Dreamliner, whose three models will seat from 210 to 330 passengers, will cut airline costs.

"This is not an airplane; it's breakthrough technology," says Michael Boyd, a Colorado aviation consultant. "While Airbus was trying to re-create the 1970s with a jumbo jet, Boeing looked over the horizon and is now driving the 21st century."

The 787 Dreamliner is not just contributing to Oregon's manufacturing base, it's creating the potential for increased trade and economic links to Asia. From the story:

A Dreamliner could enable nonstop service from Portland to a city in China, for example, says Allen Alley, Oregon Gov. Ted Kulongoski's deputy chief of staff handling economic development and transportation. If necessary to fill China-bound planes, he says, Portland could link with a city such as Denver.

"It means," Alley says, "it's economical now to connect Portland directly with just about any city on earth."

Discuss.

[Full disclosure: I work as a senior account executive with Edelman, the world's largest independent public relations firm. Although I don't work on the Boeing account, Edelman represents Boeing. My last post about the 787 Dreamliner is here: Better planes, cleaner skies.]

By Charlie Burr March 18, 2007