Comments on: The Boeing 787 Dreamliner Flies

By: Max Trescott

Max Trescott — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 04:22:54 +0000

It’s a beautiful plane and the wing flex just adds another element to it’s beauty.
I hope Boeing sells thousands of them, creating more jobs in the U.S. (and admittedly elsewhere as well).

By: CF

CF — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 17:31:21 +0000

Oliver wrote:

@Cranky – re Air France and national pride: I am sure you know that AF has a mixed fleet, including 747 and 777 aircraft.

There's no question that they benefit to some extent from having a mixed fleet, but my guess is that you wouldn't see Air France interested in A380s without the French connection to Airbus. The A350? Sure.

By: Oliver

Oliver — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 15:23:26 +0000

@Cranky – re Air France and national pride: I am sure you know that AF has a mixed fleet, including 747 and 777 aircraft. The same is true for, say, Lufthansa and BA. Seems ultimately they are all driven by the need for having the right aircraft available for their missions… And maybe also by the desire to be able to negotiate better deals by not committing all-out to one vendor, though some might argue an exclusivity agreement might get the likes of CO better prices, and I certainly don’t have any particular insights into that, beyond the regular FT posts from arm chair CEOs.

By: Eric Simmons

Eric Simmons — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 03:54:13 +0000

@ Allan: What is the amount % of composite on this airplane?

By: Andrew

Andrew — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 13:52:08 +0000

Aaron Schubert wrote:

Absolutely amazing when you consider the time frame it has taken us to develop planes like these. I wonder what we will all be flying with in 15 years time! Aaron

Well, I suspect Delta will still be flying all those DC-9's... (ducking) :D

By: Aaron Schubert

Aaron Schubert — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 12:52:50 +0000

Absolutely amazing when you consider the time frame it has taken us to develop planes like these. I wonder what we will all be flying with in 15 years time!

Aaron

By: Rob Marais

Rob Marais — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 23:38:25 +0000

CF wrote:

Neil S wrote:
Forgive my ignorance, but why is the wing flex so extreme? It does look cool, but what does it do?
Here is a discussion on the topic in the Airliners.net Tech Ops form:
http://www.airliners.net/aviation-forums/tech_ops/read.main/253605/1/

And I do remember (as a child, mind you) seeing the engines bobbing every which way on a 707 in turbulence, so what seems like crazy flex on a Boeing isn’t so unnatural to me. The airliners.net thread gets very techie in spots, but addresses the wing flex issue well. Now let’s hope Boeing makes sure the wings stay attached to the main fuselage =\

By: CF

CF — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 21:45:01 +0000

David SFeastbay wrote:

Didn’t Boeing promise the plane would take flight before the end of 2009? Cutting it close it seems, did they rush things along to keep that goal?

They did promise by the end of the year, but that was after a lot of delays. I don't think this was rushed. David SFeastbay wrote:

I’ll say one thing, it nicer looking then the ugly A380. Guess I’ll get slapped down for saying that……lol

I'm with you on this. Nate's hit it on the head. It looks like a dolphin with those low windows. Oliver wrote:

Which, of course, is the key selection criteria for airline executives and passengers looking for that bargain flight to Paris ;)

Actually, I believe the Air France selection criteria was national pride. *ducking* Allan wrote:

I hear the windows are bigger on the 787 due to composite materials. Does anyone know how much bigger? Are we talking about a half an inch to an inch or something significant?

They're a LOT bigger. Take a look at this photo. I assume that's still current. http://boeing.com/commercial/gallery/787/K64262-04.html

By: Bobber

Bobber — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 19:40:28 +0000

It’s a beautiful plane and I can’t wait to fly in one………

presuming UA are still solvent in 6 yrs time when they’re supposed to be delivered.

Hope these RR Trent’s don’t have dodgy pipes that freeze the fuel over the arctic.

By: David SFeastbay

David SFeastbay — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 18:34:30 +0000

Nate wrote:

> I’ll say one thing, it nicer looking then the ugly A380
I’ve thought all along it’s just the “five head”. It looks way more bad ass with the cockpit windows higher: http://www.flickr.com/photos/44713188@N05/4190909274/

You’re right it does look better with the cockpit windows higher…..lol
That was good.