Boeing set to unveil new 787 Dreamliner

Boeing Co. unveils its lightweight 787 Dreamliner on Sunday, the first commercial jet predominantly made of carbon-composite materials and the planemaker's first all-new airliner in more than a decade.

The mid-sized aircraft -- seating 210 to 330 people in its three planned models -- promises 20 percent fuel savings for airlines and a new standard of comfort for passengers.

Operators and lessors have jumped at the jet, placing 642 orders worth about $100 billion at list prices since it went on sale in 2004.

First and foremost, the new plane will save airlines money and help them toward greater profits, according to Richard Aboulafia, a consultant at aerospace specialists the Teal Group. But it will also benefit travelers.

"It means more frequency, more point-to-point routes and fewer changes at big hub airports," said Aboulafia. "Anyone who changes planes regularly at Heathrow, Narita or Frankfurt can be grateful."

The first of the new planes is set to be rolled out of Boeing's Everett, Washington, plant on Sunday, in front of about 15,000 staff, customers and suppliers.

Boeing even has a theme song for the plane to be played at the gala event, hosted by former television news anchor Tom Brokaw.

The public rollout of the plane was purposefully scheduled for Sunday -- 7/8/07 in U.S. date abbreviation -- but the aircraft will not actually fly until August or September, when its airborne tests are due to start.

The plane, whose fuselage is spun from carbon composites and baked in an enormous oven, is expected to save operators 20 percent on fuel costs because of its lower weight and state-of-the-art engines.

The benefit for passengers is that composite materials do not rust or fatigue, so air in the cabin can be more humid and the windows larger. Boeing is also touting softer lighting that automatically adjusts with the time of day or night.

The 787 is Boeing's first all-new plane since its 777 minijumbo entered service in 1995. Boeing's Next Generation 737, an updated version of its popular single-aisle plane, entered service in 1998.

Via Reuters