The Boeing 787-10 seen in Dreamliner livery. Composite image from Boeing.
At the Paris Air Show today, Boeing officially launched the longer version of the Boeing Dreamliner: the 787-10. According to Boeing, “Customer launch commitments for the 787-10 include Air Lease Corporation, with 30 airplanes; GE Capital Aviation Services, with 10; International Airlines Group / British Airways, with 12 subject to shareholder approval; Singapore Airlines, with 30 and United Airlines, with 20 airplanes.”
BONUS: Video animation of the Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner
The 787-10 becomes the largest of the Dreamliner family with an additional 20 foot stretch over the 787-9, seating for 300-330 passengers and the ability to fly up to 7,000 nautical miles. The new model is slated to complete final assembly and test flights in 2017 with first delivery in 2018.
Air Lease has ordered 10 of the 787-10. This photo shows both the 787-9 and 787-10. Image from Boeing.
“The 787-10 is 25 percent more efficient than airplanes of its size today and more than 10 percent better than anything being offered by the competition for the future,” said Boeing Commercial Airplanes President and CEO Ray Conner. “With the 787-10, we’ve designed an exceptional airplane supported by an efficient and integrated production system that can meet increasing demands and create new opportunities for us. Our team and our customers are excited about growing the product line and expanding our presence with this family of airplanes.”
GE Capital Aviation Services (GECAS) has committed to ordering 10 787-10s. Image from Boeing.
According to the Seattle Times, evidence is point to the fact that the 787-10 could be built exclusively in North Charleston, SC. Two delegates from Washington State speaking on background stated that, “they have worried for some time that Everett won’t get the 787-10 assembly work because of logistical constraints around production of the bigger jet.”
It might come down to being able to transport the middle fuselage section of the 787-10, which is longer than the 787-8 or 787-9. The larger section cannot fit in the Boeing Dreamlifter, which flies the smaller version sections around the world. At this time, Boeing is planning to build the mid-section in South Carolina, which further points to the 787-10 being built exclusively there.
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This story written by… David Parker Brown, Editor & Founder.
David started AirlineReporter.com in the summer of 2008, but has had a passion for aviation since he was a kid. Born and raised in the Seattle area (where he is currently based) has surely had an influence and he couldn’t imagine living anywhere else in the world. |
