Smooth Ride
The 787 Dreamliner Family
The most innovative and efficient airplane family flying today
- Comfort and convenience for passengers
- Profitability and flexibility for airlines
- Exceptional environmental performance for everyone
The Boeing 787 Dreamliner is super-efficient family of commercial airplanes that brings big-jet ranges and speed to the middle of the market.
In response to airlines' overwhelming preference, Boeing designed the 787 family with superior efficiency, which allows airlines to profitably open new routes to fly people directly where they'd like to go in exceptional comfort.
The 787 Offers Superior Technology
The 787 is an all-new design with no legacy constraints, and it achieves many firsts in commercial aviation. The 787 makes the best use of available new technologies. Materials, aerodynamics, systems, and engines have been chosen and designed with the overall, integrated design at the forefront. Design choices never optimize one area at the expense of overall performance, economics, maintenance costs, or airplane availability.
SYSTEMS
Large, dimmable windows
More-electric systems
Electric brakes
Electric wing ice protection
AERO
Laminar flow nacelles
Low-noise chevrons
Raked wingtips
Low-drag empennage
STRUCTURE
One-piece barrel sections
ENGINE
Leading engine solutions
State of the Art Flight Deck
The 787 Dreamliner features a state-of-the-art flight deck that balances commonality with the latest enhancements. New technologies are integrated while still maintaining a significant amount of commonality with other Boeing airplanes, particularly the 777. Familiar Boeing controls, displays and procedures all support shorter transition periods to the 787 from other Boeing family members, enabling efficient Mixed Fleet Flying.
The 787 flight deck is furnished with a full suite of navigation and communication radios and avionics. Dual Head-Up Display (HUD), very large flat panel multifunction displays, dual Electronic Flight Bags (EFB), and an electronic check list are provided as standard.
The wide-format displays provide a larger map and enhance access to information about the flight and navigation. Also, the new displays are programmable, which means future advancements can be easily incorporated without having to replace or upgrade the display hardware.
More Electrical Architecture
- Electric
- Pneumatic
787 More-Electric Architecture
The more-electric architecture of the 787 Dreamliner family eliminates the pneumatic and bleed-air system. The electric system improves efficiency by extracting only the power actually needed during each phase of flight. The 787's electrical system also is monitored automatically by the Airplane Health Management system, improving airplane availability and productivity.
Conventional Pneumatic Architecture
On conventional airplanes, pneumatic systems divert hot, high-pressure air from the engines to power other systems. Not only does this require a complex system of manifolds, valves and ducts, it requires constant monitoring and frequent maintenance. It also tends to be inefficient because of the weight of the system and because air is "bled" off the engines, which then have to work harder.
Smarter Systems
- More Electric Architecture
- 5,000 PSI Hydraulics
- Electrically Actuated Brakes
More Electric Architecture
- Eliminated pneumatic-bleed system
- Electric wing ice protection
- Electric air conditioning
5,000 PSI Hydraulics
- No air-driven pumps
- Improved reliabilty
- Reduced ramp and cabin noise
Electrically actuated brakes
- Equivalent or better braking performance
- No leaking brakes
- Wear is actively monitored, forecast brake replacements
Smooth Wing Technology
- Structure
- Airflow
Structure
The use of composite materials in the wing structure allows the 787 wing to have a higher aspect ratio (the square of the wing span divided by the wing area) than previous aircraft. This high aspect ratio wing design combined with efficiency enhancing raked wing tips allow the 787 to be one of the fastest commercial aircraft (Mach 0.85 cruise speed) while consuming less fuel than today's comparably sized aircraft.
Airflow
The 787's simple pivot trailing edge flaps allow for much smaller flap track fairings than on conventional aircraft. This gives the airplane highly efficient lift-to-drag characteristics that reduce fuel consumption and costs. In addition, the 787's simple pivot trailing edge has fewer parts for reduced maintenance and provides a lighter and simpler high-lift system without sacrificing performance.
Advanced Fly-by-wire
The 787 Dreamliner family features an advanced fly-by-wire flight control system. Instead of a mechanical system of cables and pulleys that move the control surfaces on the wing and tail, fly-by-wire systems translate pilot inputs into electrical signals. Computer processors translate these signals and move the control surfaces accordingly to move the airplane. Used on commercial airplanes for decades, fly-by-wire systems are highly reliable and feature multiple independent backup systems in case of a failure.
The 787's fly-by-wire control system is so advanced that it optimizes the shape (or "camber") of the wing automatically to save the most fuel. During cruise, the wing trailing edge automatically adjusts upward and downward to continually optimize the camber for maximum efficiency. Normally used to dip the wing up or down to turn in flight, ailerons on the 787 also adjust automatically to help optimize the wing during takeoff and cruise. This advanced fly-by-wire system also is the key to Smoother Ride Technology – unique to the 787 family -- which senses turbulence and adjusts control surfaces automatically to dampen its effects before it reaches the passengers.
- Flaperons
- Ailerons
- Variable Camber
Laminar Flow
When designing an airplane, engineers aim to create surfaces over which air flows smoothly. At the high speeds of commercial flight, this "laminar" flow is key because it reduces friction, which reduces drag, fuel consumption and emissions.
New technology in the 787 nacelle is designed to maintain laminar flow over a longer portion of the surface than ever before, saving more fuel and emissions.
- 787
- Conventional
Laminar Flow
The 787 nacelle was designed to maintain laminar flow over a longer portion of the nacelle than ever before. The associated reduction in drag reduces fuel consumption.
Conventional Flow
In flight, the airflow across a conventional nacelle will become turbulent near the front. This turbulence (or rough air) increases the power required by the engine, increasing fuel consumption.
Propulsion
The next-generation engine technology of the 787 is provided by Boeing's engine partners, General Electric and Rolls-Royce. Boeing expertise and the latest computational fluid dynamics (CFD) optimize engine and airframe integration, minimizing interference drag and capitalizing on the full benefits of these technological advances.
- GE Engine
- Rolls-Royce Engine
Preserving Valuable Cabin Space to Generate Revenue
Boeing offers a variety of comfortable crew rest options to meet airlines' needs.
Modular design allows for easy installation and removal
Pilot bunk module looking aft
Aft bunk module looking forward
One Piece Barrel
The 787's unique one-piece composite barrel construction results in the elimination of all longitudinal skin splices. This reduces not only weight and drag but also significantly reduces the amount of maintenance required.
21st Century Fuselage Construction
787 one-piece barrel sections
Eliminates all fuselage lap joints, doublers and skin overlap resulting in less weight and less maintenance inspections.
Panelized construction
Requires additional joints, fasteners and splice plates in joint region resulting in increased weight and maintenance inspections.
Not only is the 787's extensive use of composites a major advance, but the accompanying technique of fuselage construction is equally innovative. Pioneered by Boeing, one-piece barrel construction method is available only on the 787. This approach represents years of research and development by Boeing into the latest manufacturing processes. Compared with traditional panelized construction, one-piece barrel construction offers lower weight and reduced maintenance costs.
Advanced Composite Use
- Carbon Laminate
- Carbon Sandwich
- Other Composites
- Aluminum
- Titanium
- Other
The materials selected for the 787 Dreamliner provide the lowest operating costs over the life of the airplane. Selecting optimum materials means analyzing every area of the airframe to determine the best solution based on the operating environment and loads experienced over the life of the airplane.
The chief breakthrough material technology on the 787 is the increased use of composites. The 787 is 50 percent composite by weight. A majority of the primary structure is made of composite materials, most notably the fuselage.
Composite materials have many advantages. They allow a lighter, simpler structure, which increases airplane efficiency, reduces fuel consumption and reduces weight-based maintenance and fees. They do not fatigue or corrode, which reduces scheduled maintenance and increases productive time. Composites resist impacts better and are designed for easy visual inspection. Minor damage can be repaired at the gate in less than an hour. Larger damaged sections can be repaired exactly like today's aircraft, through bolted repairs, or using a bonded repair.
Unrivaled Passenger Experience
From the start, Boeing designed the 787 family with the passenger in mind. Extensive research into what affects comfort led Boeing to many design innovations on the 787 family, including
Large, spacious cabin: The 787’s cabin architecture creates a strong sense of spaciousness with its broad, welcoming entryway, large windows and vaulted ceiling. The 787 cabin is wider than that of the airplanes it replaces, so passengers enjoy more personal space, both physically and visually.
Better lighting: Modern, adjustable LED lighting provides more lighting choices to create a relaxing environment.
Largest windows in the sky: With the largest windows of any jet, on the 787 every seat is a window seat: Every person can see to the horizon, for a view like never before. The windows also dim at the touch of a button, allowing passengers to look outside when they wish and still maintain a dimmed cabin when appropriate.
Cleaner, more comfortable air: The 787 combines new filtration, better pressure and more humidity to help passengers feel less dryness and fatigue.
Smoother Ride Technology: Sensors on the 787 sense and dampen turbulence for a more comfortable ride and less motion sickness.
Large overhead bins: There's space for your carry-on near your seat.
Better seating options: The 787 offers the latest in seat comfort and technology.
Dynamic LEDs
The spacious, comfortable look and feel of the cabin is enhanced by soft LED lighting.
- Boarding
- Cruise
- Meal Service
- Sleep
- Prelanding
- Relaxation
Bigger Windows, Adjustable Tint
The 787 has the largest windows of any commercial jet, offering passengers seated anywhere in the airplane a commanding view of the horizon.
Larger Bins
Each bin on the 787 fits four full-size roll-aboard bags.
Cleaner, Healthier Air
Today's airplanes have very clean air, thanks to the same technology used in hospital operating rooms. The 787 has even better air quality due to an innovative purification method known as gaseous filtration. Research has shown that contaminants cause many of the symptoms that often are associated with low humidity. Air purification removes those gaseous contaminants and reduces symptoms such as throat irritation. The gaseous filtration system on the 787 cleans the cabin air by removing contaminants, including offensive odors.
HEPA filters leave the air essentially particle free and are effective at removing bacteria, viruses, fungi, and a new gaseous filtration system, unique to the 787, removes common irritants that have a drying effect.
Lower Cabin Altitude, More Comfortable Flight
The 787's cabin is pressurized to a new maximum level of 6,000 feet; 2,000 feet lower than most other aircraft. Altitude chamber tests show that because the body absorbs 8% more oxygen into the blood at this altitude, passengers experience fewer headaches and less dizziness and fatigue. The 787's composite fuselage permits cabin pressurization at this lower altitude with almost no weight impact.
Smoother Ride Through Turbulence
Unique to the 787 Dreamliner family, Smoother Ride Technology gives passengers a more comfortable flight. Smart sensors detect turbulence and adjust control surfaces, dampening movement and reducing motion sickness eightfold.
Calmer Cabin
Noise quality in the cabin is an important part of the effort to reduce unpleasant symptoms that are sometimes associated with air travel for passengers and crew. A holistic approach to cabin noise quality, implementing multiple solutions through the aircraft, addresses the causes of annoying noise and vibrations, offering passengers a calmer cabin experience.
Quieter for the Communities
The 787 ensures that sounds of 85 decibels – which is slightly louder than a busy street intersection – or higher never leave airport boundaries. In fact, the noise footprint of the 787 is up to 60 percent smaller than the airplane it replaces.
Ramp noise reductions are the result of improvements in airplane systems like the Auxiliary Power Unit (APU).
A report issued by the United Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority determined that the Boeing 787 is significantly quieter than the airplanes it replaces, on average between seven and eight decibels quieter on departure and up to three decibels quieter on arrival.
The 787 program meets all existing regulatory noise limits.
Reduced Emissions
The 787 is designed to be more environmentally progressive throughout the product life cycle. The airplane is manufactured using fewer hazardous materials, consumes less fuel and produces fewer emissions. The 787 is also quieter for airport communities than any previous airplane. And at the end of the airplane's service life, the materials used for the 787 are recyclable.
Lower NOx
The 787 offers a 25 percent reduction in CO2 emissions and is well below regulated limits on hydrocarbons, smoke, nitric oxide and nitrogen dioxide.
The 787 Dreamliner Family: A Benchmark in Fuel Efficiency
The 787 Dreamliner family's advanced aerodynamics, composite structure, modern systems and more efficient engines combine for a 25 percent reduction in fuel and emissions over replacement airplanes.
Lower Fuel Use
The Most Comprehensive Twin Aisle Product Family
The 787 is a key member of the Boeing wide body family.
Only Boeing offers a modern, optimized and winning airplane in every market. Our products are designed to offer airlines superior value and efficient market coverage.
Value Made Standard
Previous Aircraft | 787 | |
---|---|---|
SATCOM | OPTIONAL | STANDARD |
VHF & HF radios | OPTIONAL | STANDARD |
dual electronic flight bags | OPTIONAL | STANDARD |
330 ETOPS certifications | OPTIONAL | STANDARD |
emergency and overwater equipment | OPTIONAL | STANDARD |
foreign certification | OPTIONAL | STANDARD |
in-flight entertainment distribution system | OPTIONAL | STANDARD |
large aft cargo door | OPTIONAL | STANDARD |
provisions for overhead crew rest installation | OPTIONAL | STANDARD |
allowance for two-class interior | OPTIONAL | STANDARD |
The most popular features of twin-aisle aircraft are standard on the 787 Dreamliner, including a generous baseline takeoff weight allowance and a fully equipped flight deck. A catalog of pre-engineered options allows airlines to select from a series of interior furnishings, such as preassembled seats and galley inserts. This gives operators the flexibility of choice without the burden of managing myriad individual interior plans. The standard airplane philosophy lets airlines customize the airplane as needed to differentiate services and the airline brand while still keeping the airplane as standardized as possible. Value made standard on the 787 means airlines enjoy lower acquisition costs, better financing terms and a more flexible airplane.
Commonality Savings
The 787 Dreamliner family features unprecedented commonality.
Synergies that support the bottom line
- Up to 90% common RSPL
- Partnership & pooling
- Cabin crew
- Ground support equipment
- Same type flight crew
- Maintenance
- Ground handling
Open Architecture
With its lifecycle approach to design, Boeing created a flexible interior for the 787 family that can easily adapt as airline needs change. With thoughtful details such as common attachment points, which reduce variability and cost, reconfiguring and upgrading the 787 family is easier and less expensive than for other airplanes.
- Empty
- 4 Abreast
- 6 Abreast
- 7 Abreast
- 8 Abreast
- 9 Abreast
Higher Speed
The 787 is as fast as the 777 and 747, Mach 0.85. This is faster than other airplanes serving in this size range and allows an airline to have the same speed airplanes with the same range and economics in three distinct sizes.
Opening New Markets
The unparalleled fuel efficiency and range flexibility of the 787 family help airlines optimize their fleets and networks while opening new nonstop routes — about 400 to date — meeting passengers' expectations for comfort and convenience.
Broad Market Coverage
1,900+ orders from more than 80 customers
Market response to the 787 has been incredible with customers on six continents—Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, North America and South America.
Longer Range Capability
- Buenos Aires
- Dubai
- London
- New York
- Seattle
- Hong Kong
- Tokyo
- Los Angeles
787-8
227,950-kg (502,500-lb) MTOW
248 two-class passengers
787-9
254,700-kg (561,500-lb) MTOW
296 two-class passengers
787-10
254,000-kg (560,000-lb) MTOW
336 two-class passengers
Standard rules
Airways and traffic allowances included
50% annual winds
Range Capability from Buenos Aires
787-8
227,950-kg (502,500-lb) MTOW
248 two-class passengers
787-9
254,700-kg (561,500-lb) MTOW
296 two-class passengers
787-10
254,000-kg (560,000-lb) MTOW
336 two-class passengers
Standard rules
Airways and traffic allowances included
50% annual winds
Range Capability from Dubai
787-8
227,950-kg (502,500-lb) MTOW
248 two-class passengers
787-9
254,700-kg (561,500-lb) MTOW
296 two-class passengers
787-10
254,000-kg (560,000-lb) MTOW
336 two-class passengers
Standard rules
Airways and traffic allowances included
50% annual winds
Range Capability from London
787-8
227,950-kg (502,500-lb) MTOW
248 two-class passengers
787-9
254,700-kg (561,500-lb) MTOW
296 two-class passengers
787-10
254,000-kg (560,000-lb) MTOW
336 two-class passengers
Standard rules
Airways and traffic allowances included
50% annual winds
Range Capability from New York
787-8
227,950-kg (502,500-lb) MTOW
248 two-class passengers
787-9
254,700-kg (561,500-lb) MTOW
296 two-class passengers
787-10
254,000-kg (560,000-lb) MTOW
336 two-class passengers
Standard rules
Airways and traffic allowances included
50% annual winds
Range Capability from Seattle
787-8
227,950-kg (502,500-lb) MTOW
248 two-class passengers
787-9
254,700-kg (561,500-lb) MTOW
296 two-class passengers
787-10
254,000-kg (560,000-lb) MTOW
336 two-class passengers
Standard rules
Airways and traffic allowances included
50% annual winds
Range Capability from Hong Kong
787-8
227,950-kg (502,500-lb) MTOW
248 two-class passengers
787-9
254,000-kg (560,000-lb) MTOW
296 two-class passengers
787-10
254,000-kg (560,000-lb) MTOW
336 two-class passengers
Standard rules
Airways and traffic allowances included
50% annual winds
Range Capability from Tokyo
787-8
227,950-kg (502,500-lb) MTOW
248 two-class passengers
787-9
254,000-kg (560,000-lb) MTOW
296 two-class passengers
787-10
254,000-kg (560,000-lb) MTOW
336 two-class passengers
Standard rules
Airways and traffic allowances included
50% annual winds
Range Capability from Los Angeles
More Revenue Cargo
787-8
12 LD-3s 54.4 m3 (1,920 ft3)
Bulk 11.4 m3 (402 ft3)
Total Cargo Volume 125 m3 (4,400 ft3)
787-9
6 Pallets 69.1 m3 (2,442 ft3)
16 LD-3s 72.5 m3 (2,560 ft3)
Bulk 11.4 m3 (402 ft3)
Total Cargo Volume 153 m3 (5,400 ft3)
787-10
7 Pallets 80.7 m3 (2,849 ft3)
18 LD-3s 81.6 m3 (2,880 ft3)
Bulk 11.4 m3 (402 ft3)
Total Cargo Volume 175 m3 (6,200 ft3)
Dreamliner Advantages Overview
Higher Revenue
Lower Costs
Exceptional fuel efficiency: The 787 family uses 25 percent less fuel on a per passenger basis than the airplanes they replace.
Low maintenance costs: The strong, durable composites that make up the 787 fuselage contribute to a 30 percent reduction in airframe maintenance costs than for previous-generation airplanes.
Mixed-fleet flying: Significant flight-deck commonality between the 787 and 777 benefits airlines that use mixed-fleet flying, scheduling pilots to fly more than one kind of airplane. Pilots who fly the 777 need only five days of training to fly the 787.
Standard airplane: This philosophy minimizes variation while still providing options desired by airlines and leasing companies.
Higher speed: At Mach 0.85, the 787 is as fast as the 777 and 747 and faster than other airplanes of its size. Boeing's flexible twin-aisle offerings allows an airline to have airplane families with the same speed, range and economics in three distinct sizes.
More revenue cargo: The 787 family is an excellent cargo carrier, which is key revenue for most airlines, especially as they open new city pairs.
More flying days: With its advanced, single-barrel composite fuselage and robust design, the 787 needs less scheduled maintenance than previous-generation airplanes, which translates to more flying days and more revenue.
Nonstop routes: The 787 allows airlines to open new long-distance routes profitably, satisfying passengers' expectations for direct flights. To date, operators have opened or announced more than 100 new nonstop routes with the 787 family.
Flexible seating configuration: Operators can configure the 787 interior quickly and in a variety of ways to match their market needs.
Preferred passenger experience: Passengers want to fly nonstop to where they want to go on midsized airplanes, such as the 787, rather than connect through hubs on giant-sized airplanes. In addition, the 787 offers many new passenger-pleasing features that provide unprecedented comfort, convenience and a great flying experience.
Dreamliner Advantages
- 787-8 Strategic Advantage
- 787-9 Profitable Growth
- 787-10 Efficiency Machine
787-8 Strategic Advantage
Right Size for the Replacement Market
Only suitable replacement for the more than 1,200 A300, A310, 767, and A330-200 aircraft. Continues the trend of smaller aircraft supplanting jumbo-jets on international routes.
Better Economics at Any Stage Length
Lower fuel consumption, superior operating economics and higher revenue capability means greater profitability on both short- and long-haul missions.
Opens New Routes Profitably
Brings the long-range capability and low seat-mile costs of larger airplanes to the small twin-aisle market, enabling airlines to open new point-to-point routes earlier and more profitably.
787-9 Profitable Growth
The 787-9 offers extra capacity, lower seat-mile costs and similar long-range capability enabling airlines to maximize profitability as routes grow and mature.
787-10 Efficiency Machine
The 787-10 offers more passenger and cargo capacity, a high degree of commonality and a range that covers more than 90 percent of the world’s twin-aisle routes while setting a new benchmark for fuel efficiency and operating economics.
Dreamlifter Route Structure
The Dreamlifter is a unique tool developed by Boeing with Evergreen.
This family of four specially modified 747s transports some of the large 787 fuselage sections and other structures from our partners’ locations around the world to our final assembly site in North Charleston, SC.
- South Carolina
South Carolina
Section 41
from Wichita, KS to North Charleston, SC
Horizontal Stabilizer
from Foggia, Italy to North Charleston, SC
Section 44
from Grottaglie, Italy to North Charleston, SC
Wing Box
from Nagoya, Japan to North Charleston, SC
Section 11/45
from Nagoya, Japan to North Charleston, SC
Section 43
from Nagoya, Japan to North Charleston, SC
787-8 Characteristics
248 Passengers
2-Class Configuration
13,530 km / 7,305 nmi
Range
60 m / 197 ft 3 in
WINGSPAN
17 m / 55 ft 6 in
HEIGHT
57 m / 186 ft 1 in
LENGTH
787-9 Characteristics
296 Passengers
2-Class Configuration
14,010 km / 7,565 nmi
Range
60 m / 197 ft 3 in
WINGSPAN
17 m / 55 ft 10 in
HEIGHT
63 m / 206 ft 1 in
LENGTH
787-10 Characteristics
336 Passengers
2-Class Configuration
11,730 km / 6,330 nmi
Range
60 m / 197 ft 3 in
WINGSPAN
17 m / 55 ft 10 in
HEIGHT
68 m / 224 ft 1 in
LENGTH
All model performance summary
787-8 | 787-9 | 787-10 | |
---|---|---|---|
SEATING | 248 | 296 |
336 |
RANGE | 7,305 nmi (13,530 km) | 7,565 nmi (14,010 km) | 6,330 nmi (11,730 km) |
CONFIGURATION | Twin Aisle | Twin Aisle | Twin Aisle |
CROSS SECTION | 226 in (574 cm) | 226 in (574 cm) | 226 in (574 cm) |
WINGSPAN | 197 ft (60 m) | 197 ft (60 m) | 197 ft (60 m) |
LENGTH | 186 ft (57 m) | 206 ft (63 m) | 224 ft (68 m) |
HEIGHT | 56 ft (17 m) | 56 ft (17 m) | 56 ft (17 m) |
CRUISE SPEED | Mach 0.85 | Mach 0.85 | Mach 0.85 |
TOTAL CARGO VOLUME | 4,400 ft3 (125 m3) | 5,400 ft3 (153 m3) | 6,200 ft3 (175 m3) |
MAX TAKEOFF WEIGHT | 502,500 lb (227,950 kg) | 561,000 lb (254,700 kg) | 560,000 lb (254,000 kg) |