Boeing 787 Dreamliner Market Timing Coup

Despite delays the launching of Boeing's much-anticipated 787 Dreamliner looks to have perfect market timing. With test flights now underway and commercial services starting in Q4 2010 the regional aircraft looks to have hit the ground running.

While the Airbus mega carrier A380 captured the imagination of travelers everywhere, in the current market which sees declining long haul travel and more short haul route growth, the sheer number of passengers is simply too many for most markets.

Key advantages of the Dreamliner are the use of lightweight composite materials, which shed off 20% of fuel usage and 45% more cargo. That equates to lower operating costs and increased revenue, which is something that makes financial analysts glow.

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airbus compensated their delayed a380 customers with free 340s 330s and even 380s, why wouldn't Boeing do the same? The dreamliner is about 6 tons overweight, but its main appeal is direct flights between hundreds of cities without the traffic to support giant long range planes. nobody ever mentions the fuel wasted flying thousands of extra miles to get people to and from hubs. Add in the millions of hours passengers waste deplaning laying over and reboarding at overcrowded hubs and you see the overwhelming value of a long legged efficient little bird like the 787.

Magila, 26 Dec 2009 | 2:46 pm

Perhaps the US government wouldn't subsidise Boeing, so I guess that they didn't subsidise Chrysler or GM, or the banks.

Can someone tell me why ANA have bought (or have been given 767's) for delivery after the first 787's. Are they desperate to keep the production line going in the vain hope of getting the tanker contract, or is it a sop to avoid cancellations when the next 787 delay is announced?

Bring back the Monroe Doctrine!

Hugth, 23 Dec 2009 | 5:07 pm

Let the Euro consortium, particularly the French aspect digress to the days of turning linen into white flags of surrender. Would the US govenment have subsidised Boeing, as the European Govt's have Airbus, this thread would not exist, oust the unions, improve the product, lower the margins, get So. Carolina up and running and stuff Airbus in an ash can. While that is coming along, lets muss up a bit of Bombardier too. What an unreliable XRS and 5K are, c'mon Gulfstream 650!

Dutch, 20 Dec 2009 | 10:11 pm

erm... the 787-8 is expected mostly in transcontintal routes, not 'regional'. And re: Hugh's comment, while the first few aircraft will be heavier than predicted, aircraft numbers 20 and beyond will begin to incorporate design changes to lower weights. ...and weight is only one parameter affecting performance goals... As the program progresses, the benefits of lightweight composites will certainly 'change the game' for commercial aircraft. Good luck to Airbus if they think they can deliver the A350 in 2013!

Frank, 20 Dec 2009 | 12:20 am

Fortunately for Boeing there commercial airliners make a profit, where as the Airbus A340-500-600 series and A380 never have and continue to be a financial disaster for Airbus.

John Wilson, 19 Dec 2009 | 8:29 pm

Hugh, Are you a stress engineer, weight and balance, structural? Thought not, your mealy mouth likely parallels your inability to develop satisfactory bond lines, thus added structures.

Alexander Dutch, 19 Dec 2009 | 7:36 pm

What have your comments got to do with my missive. Are you saying that the 787 is not overweight? I also did not say that Airbus is great. Maybe denial!

Hugh, 19 Dec 2009 | 4:21 pm

Hey Hugh. How about those 2 airbus a380 incidents recently along with the air france a330-200 lost over the atlantic last May. Airbus (is not great)

Jim, 19 Dec 2009 | 10:04 am

So much weight has been added to strengthen the airframe that the performance is no better than an A330. Once Boeing own up to this then a few more cancellations will be likely.

Hugh Jampton, 19 Dec 2009 | 7:56 am