In the late 1990s, Boeing was working on a faster jumbo jet (the "Sonic Cruiser") to replace the ageing 747, which had been in service for almost 30 years. However, following September 11 Boeing decided airlines were more interested in efficiency than speed, and so cancelled that project and started working on a new version of its mid-size 767 airplane. In 2003 they announced the 787 and held an online public naming competition which resulted in "Dreamliner." It was unveiled in 2007 and expected to deliver in May 2008; however, significant delays meant its maiden flight did not occur until December 2009, and the first commercial flight in October 2011, and I rode on one for the first time in April 2014.
Boeing introduced several new technologies, including an all-composite body, but probably its biggest innovation was to introduce an "automobile" style manufacturing model, whereby subcontractors were responsible for delivering completed components, and Boeing engineers were responsible for final assembly. (This is also what contributed to the significant delivery delays.) 35% of the airplane is actually built in Japan, and its wings are delivered in modified 747 cargo planes.
Using composite material instead of aluminum allows the internal cabin pressure to the equivalent of 6,000 feet altitude (compared to 8,000 feet on other aircraft) and maintain 15% humidity, which would rust a normal airplane. (The air-conditioning system is also supposed to remove ozone, odors, viruses, bacteria, and allergens.) The composite material also allows much larger windows, which are higher-up on the plane, theoretically allowing for a better view. However, instead of window shades they used "electrochromism" glass, which means it can be darkened by applying electricity. I first read about this years ago in office buildings, but had never seen it before. On the bright side (so pun intended) it meant flight attendants could control the brightness, so you weren't awakened (or your movie was washed out) because someone decided to open the window shade. However, on my flight the windows were dark the entire time, you couldn't tell if it was day or night, and you couldn't see much outside. That was a real disappointment.
The other disappointment was that, although Boeing had clearly thought about what airlines wanted, they hadn't really thought about what passengers want. Don't get me wrong, I don't expect a fold-down seat in economy, but you still had tiny aisles with people constantly scurrying up and down, banging every seat. You still had children screaming, and no place for to take them. Loading and unloading are stuck painfully slow. I'm not sure they could do anything about the loud snorers, but I can say that, despite the claims, the air con did nothing to help the smell of bad breath that pervaded the cabin by the end of the flight. (Would it be too much to distribute mints half-way through the flight?)
We also had our fair share of turbulence, which was a direct result of Boeing's decision to attach the wings directly to the fuselage, This is the equivalent of taking the suspension system out of your car, so that you feel every bump on the road. In 1993 a company was developing "freewing" technology which would have meant the long wings could be buffeted by gusts while the fuselage remained stable, but unfortunately none of the large manufacturers were interested, and now the company is focused on unmanned vehicles where the payload (presumably a camera or a gun) could remain steady in any weather. Nice to know a gun will have a more comfortable ride than you will.
Boeing introduced several new technologies, including an all-composite body, but probably its biggest innovation was to introduce an "automobile" style manufacturing model, whereby subcontractors were responsible for delivering completed components, and Boeing engineers were responsible for final assembly. (This is also what contributed to the significant delivery delays.) 35% of the airplane is actually built in Japan, and its wings are delivered in modified 747 cargo planes.
Using composite material instead of aluminum allows the internal cabin pressure to the equivalent of 6,000 feet altitude (compared to 8,000 feet on other aircraft) and maintain 15% humidity, which would rust a normal airplane. (The air-conditioning system is also supposed to remove ozone, odors, viruses, bacteria, and allergens.) The composite material also allows much larger windows, which are higher-up on the plane, theoretically allowing for a better view. However, instead of window shades they used "electrochromism" glass, which means it can be darkened by applying electricity. I first read about this years ago in office buildings, but had never seen it before. On the bright side (so pun intended) it meant flight attendants could control the brightness, so you weren't awakened (or your movie was washed out) because someone decided to open the window shade. However, on my flight the windows were dark the entire time, you couldn't tell if it was day or night, and you couldn't see much outside. That was a real disappointment.
The other disappointment was that, although Boeing had clearly thought about what airlines wanted, they hadn't really thought about what passengers want. Don't get me wrong, I don't expect a fold-down seat in economy, but you still had tiny aisles with people constantly scurrying up and down, banging every seat. You still had children screaming, and no place for to take them. Loading and unloading are stuck painfully slow. I'm not sure they could do anything about the loud snorers, but I can say that, despite the claims, the air con did nothing to help the smell of bad breath that pervaded the cabin by the end of the flight. (Would it be too much to distribute mints half-way through the flight?)
We also had our fair share of turbulence, which was a direct result of Boeing's decision to attach the wings directly to the fuselage, This is the equivalent of taking the suspension system out of your car, so that you feel every bump on the road. In 1993 a company was developing "freewing" technology which would have meant the long wings could be buffeted by gusts while the fuselage remained stable, but unfortunately none of the large manufacturers were interested, and now the company is focused on unmanned vehicles where the payload (presumably a camera or a gun) could remain steady in any weather. Nice to know a gun will have a more comfortable ride than you will.
(That is an industry shame equivalent to the Foveon sensor for digital cameras.)
So in the end, I wasn't particularly impressed. In all likelihood, I probably wouldn't have cared except for all the industry hype around the Dreamliner, and in fact I didn't even realise I was on a 787 until I disembarked and saw it painted on the airplane!
As for the Sonic Cruiser, Boeing arch-nemesis Airbus unveiled the A380 in October 2007. Originally proposed in 1988, it had taken nearly 20 years to bring to fruition. Similar in size, the 747 only has an upper deck along part of the fuselage, while the A380 has a double-decker configuration along the entire fuselage, meaning it I can carry 40% more passengers, and Airbus claims it is 15% more efficient than the 747. As of 2014, Airbus has 324 orders and delivered 128 A380s, whereas Boeing has 1,031 orders and delivered 132 787s, despite entering the market 4 years later! I have to say, I think Boeing made the right call on this one.
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