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Boeing unveils Dreamliner plane Boeing unveils Dreamliner plane
(10 minutes later)
US plane manufacturer Boeing has unveiled its 787 Dreamliner - the firm's first all-new jet since 1995. US place manufacturer Boeing has unveiled its 787 Dreamliner - the firm's first all-new jet since 1995.
The success of the aircraft - billed as the most environmentally-friendly ever built - is regarded as vital to Boeing's future in industry.The success of the aircraft - billed as the most environmentally-friendly ever built - is regarded as vital to Boeing's future in industry.
Boeing says it already has more than 600 orders for the Dreamliner. Boeing says it already has more than 600 orders. The first test flight is expected in August or September.
Sunday was chosen for Dreamliner's premiere as it is 8 July, or, in the American date style, 07/08/07.Sunday was chosen for Dreamliner's premiere as it is 8 July, or, in the American date style, 07/08/07.
Hours before its debut in Seattle, Boeing said it received 35 new orders for the plane.Hours before its debut in Seattle, Boeing said it received 35 new orders for the plane.
The orders, from Air Berlin and a leasing firm, mean Boeing now has 677 orders from 47 customers for the midsize, long-haul jet.The orders, from Air Berlin and a leasing firm, mean Boeing now has 677 orders from 47 customers for the midsize, long-haul jet.
The first test flight is expected in August or September.
It is due to go into service next year, with Japan's All Nippon Airways set to be the first recipient as a reward for placing orders for 50 of the aircraft.It is due to go into service next year, with Japan's All Nippon Airways set to be the first recipient as a reward for placing orders for 50 of the aircraft.
Lighter, more durableLighter, more durable
Boeing says that the 787, the first plane to be built primarily from modern composite materials, was designed to be fuel-efficient.Boeing says that the 787, the first plane to be built primarily from modern composite materials, was designed to be fuel-efficient.
MATERIALS IN THE 787 DREAMLINER Carbon-fibre composites: 50% Aluminium: 20%Titanium: 15%Steel: 10%Other: 5% Source: Boeing Compare the 787 and A380 Carbon fibre, which is lighter and more durable than aluminium, makes up about 50% of the structure, including the fuselage and wings.MATERIALS IN THE 787 DREAMLINER Carbon-fibre composites: 50% Aluminium: 20%Titanium: 15%Steel: 10%Other: 5% Source: Boeing Compare the 787 and A380 Carbon fibre, which is lighter and more durable than aluminium, makes up about 50% of the structure, including the fuselage and wings.
Air Berlin is buying 25 of the planes while Alafco Aviation Lease and Finance Company of Kuwait is to take 10, Boeing said.Air Berlin is buying 25 of the planes while Alafco Aviation Lease and Finance Company of Kuwait is to take 10, Boeing said.
And a report in Britain's Observer newspaper says Virgin Atlantic is set to announce an order for a further eight of the jets.And a report in Britain's Observer newspaper says Virgin Atlantic is set to announce an order for a further eight of the jets.
It has also been announced that Rolls-Royce has secured a $1.3bn (£646m) engine deal for the 787 Dreamliner from the largest US aircraft leasing company, International Lease Finance Corporation (ILFC).It has also been announced that Rolls-Royce has secured a $1.3bn (£646m) engine deal for the 787 Dreamliner from the largest US aircraft leasing company, International Lease Finance Corporation (ILFC).
Transatlantic-rivalryTransatlantic-rivalry
The Dreamliner is Boeing's first all-new plane since the 777, which began flying in 1995.The Dreamliner is Boeing's first all-new plane since the 777, which began flying in 1995.
It is crucial to Boeing's success, just as Airbus is pinning its hopes for the future on its forthcoming A380.It is crucial to Boeing's success, just as Airbus is pinning its hopes for the future on its forthcoming A380.
However, the two are very different planes with different aims.However, the two are very different planes with different aims.
The European firm sees its superjumbo plane as a response to airline calls for a bigger plane to meet increasing passenger numbers flying between major hubs.The European firm sees its superjumbo plane as a response to airline calls for a bigger plane to meet increasing passenger numbers flying between major hubs.
DIFFERENT MODELS OF 787 The first will carry between 210 and 250 passengers up to about 9,400 miles (15,125km).The second will carry between 250 and 290 passengers up to about 9,800 miles (15,770km)The third will fly between 290 and 330 passengers on shorter routes, up to about 6,500 miles (10,460km) Source: Boeing In Pictures: How the Dreamliner is assembledDIFFERENT MODELS OF 787 The first will carry between 210 and 250 passengers up to about 9,400 miles (15,125km).The second will carry between 250 and 290 passengers up to about 9,800 miles (15,770km)The third will fly between 290 and 330 passengers on shorter routes, up to about 6,500 miles (10,460km) Source: Boeing In Pictures: How the Dreamliner is assembled
Boeing is taking a different tack, predicting that the future growth sector will be for additional medium-sized planes that can service smaller airports.Boeing is taking a different tack, predicting that the future growth sector will be for additional medium-sized planes that can service smaller airports.
Airbus is currently developing the A350, which is more of a direct rival to the 787, but it is not expected to roll out the plane until about 2011.Airbus is currently developing the A350, which is more of a direct rival to the 787, but it is not expected to roll out the plane until about 2011.
Boeing received a boost at the Paris air show with an order for 50 of the aircraft from ILFC.Boeing received a boost at the Paris air show with an order for 50 of the aircraft from ILFC.
Orders from plane-leasing companies - among the biggest global buyers of aircraft - are often seen as an indication of how a model will succeed in the long term.Orders from plane-leasing companies - among the biggest global buyers of aircraft - are often seen as an indication of how a model will succeed in the long term.
Assembly of the first Dreamliner began in May, although Boeing says that when full operation is under way, it will take just three days to put together each aircraft.Assembly of the first Dreamliner began in May, although Boeing says that when full operation is under way, it will take just three days to put together each aircraft.
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