By Tony Field
Boeing has finally delivered the first of its Dreamliner range – though it is three years late.
A Japanese airline took possession at a special ceremony in Washington to mark the coming of a plane that uses 20 percent less fuel and has a trick to reduce passenger jet lag.
The past few years have been more of a nightmare than a dream as Boeing prepared for the launch of its 787. But today the company finally had something to celebrate.
But design and production problems have delayed the Dreamliner three years and cost Boeing billions.
The plane’s skin is carbon fibre – strong but lightweight – meaning it uses about 20 percent less fuel than other planes of the same size.
Boeing says the windows are bigger and the cabin pressure has been increased, so it resembles a plane flying at 6,000 feet, rather than 8,000. This means the passengers are going to be more comfortable. The higher humidity inside the cabin will also leave passengers getting off very long flights feeling more relaxed.
Late next year United Continental plans to start flying Dreamliners to Auckland.
Air New Zealand will be the first airline to get a long range version, some time in late 2013.
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