Sustainability at Boeing
Learn more about Boeing's sustainability efforts.
Boeing launched the ecoDemonstrator program in 2012 to accelerate innovation, strengthen safety and efficiency and minimize the industry’s environmental footprint. With successive airplane platforms, the ecoDemonstrator program takes promising technologies out of laboratories and tests them in an operational environment to solve real-world problems for airlines and passengers.
Twelve airplanes have served as flying test beds for the program since it began in 2012. In 2023, Boeing expanded the program with “Explorer” airplanes that focus on short-term testing of an individual technology. Since the program began, the ecoDemonstrator program has evaluated more than 250 technologies – 28% have progressed onto our products and services, 52% are still being matured and 20% provided helpful learnings but were discontinued.
A Boeing 777-200ER was the program’s latest flagship airplane, having served as the main test platform from 2022-2024.
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2024 Boeing ecoDemonstrator Program technology projects
Airport Noise & Emissions
Boeing ecoDemonstrator pilots used operational procedures on approach to Boeing Field near Seattle to quantify their environmental benefits – procedures like continuous descent approaches, less flaps settings and steeper glide slope. They observed that some of these measures have the potential to save up to 800 pounds (363 kilograms) of fuel per landing on a 777-200ER (Extended Range) and reduce noise by up to several decibels.
Operational Efficiency Testing
Boeing tested the enhanced capabilities of electronic flight bag application, Jeppesen’s updated FliteDeck Pro, such as an algorithm providing in-flight advisories to improve fuel consumption, and the ability to use real-time and historical data to predict taxi times. Qatar Airways Capt. Khalid Issa A M Al-Hamadi (left) joined a Boeing ecoDemonstrator test flight to preview the update.
Digitally Printed Carpet
“Deep-dyed” digitally printed carpet was installed in the Boeing ecoDemonstrator cabin for performance testing. It reduces weight by 120 pounds (54 kilograms) on a 787-9. It also uses less water, energy and produces less waste in the manufacturing process.
Boeing ecoDemonstrator Gallery
