634 orders for the 787, info on the 787-10

[Midnight Mike]

ILFC Lifts 787 Program; -10 Variant Delayed

Jun 20, 2007
By Adrian Schofield
A huge order from International Lease Finance Corp. yesterday gave Boeing yet another boost for its 787 program as the manufacturer admitted the strong early demand for the 787-8 and -9 variants has caused it to push back slightly the introduction date for -10.

ILFC announced an order for 50 787s and revealed itself as the previously unidentified customer for two additional 787s. These new orders raise ILFC's 787 backlog to 74 aircraft, making it the single largest customer for this family. All but one of the orders are for 787-8s, and the other is for a -9.

The ILFC aircraft will be delivered beginning in 2010 and will continue arriving through 2017. ILFC CEO Steven Udvar-Hazy said the order was "the culmination of many months of intensive negotiations" with Boeing. ILFC is "experiencing strong leasing demand from all over the world" for the 787, Udvar-Hazy said. In addition to the 787 order, ILFC ordered 10 more 737s.

With the latest ILFC deal, Boeing has 634 orders from 45 customers for the 787, just two months after Boeing passed the 500-order milestone. Program head Mike Bair said the popularity of the initial models -- the -8, -9 and -3 -- prompted Boeing to move out the expected entry-into-service date of the -10 variant to "sometime around 2013."

Bair said in March that he was confident Boeing would go ahead and build the -10, a further stretched version that some airlines, such as Emirates, had been pushing for. At the same time, Bair predicted that the -10 could be as introduced as early as the last quarter of 2012 (DAILY, March 28).

In his presentation at the Paris Air Show yesterday, Bair said Boeing is still discussing the 787 configuration with airlines. "We continue to see good interest in this airplane and are working to define what the best offering will be...We have time," Bair said. Boeing will likely have a customer ready to sign for the -10 before it officially launches the aircraft and sets an introduction date.

So far, Boeing is still looking at a 50-seat increase for the -10, compared with the -9, Bair told reporters in Paris. This would mean the -10 fuselage stretch would be roughly the same as the increase from the -8 to the -9. Boeing will try to work with the same wing but may have to make some changes.

[AirtrafficController]

so the 787-10 is now coming

[PhilDernerJr]

This is about ad fascinating as aviaiton gets for me.

First, I love hearing about aircraftleasing for some reason. Theprocess, the appeal to airlines and the development from what the industry used to be decades ago, intrigues me so much.

Second, I get to watch a new aircraft be developed, start to finish. I'm eager to lern about the performance of the 787 (speed, range, capacity, max weight, etc.) and then watch how other variants will perform as well, and how/if other modifications for the aircraft will compensate (more powerful engines or seat reconfig, etc.).

Does anyone know the length differences between the three variants at this point?

[T-Bird76]

Phil check out the tech page on the 787, it will give you the info you're looking for. I'm very excited about this plane! I'm totally conviced this is one plane that will change the face of air travel like the DC-3, 707, and 747 did.

http://www.boeing.com/commercial/787family/specs.html

[mirrodie]

. I'm very excited about this plane! I'm totally conviced this is one plane that will change the face of air travel like the DC-3, 707, and 747 did.

Im pretty pumped about it too Tom.

In a few sentences, can you expain what advances the 787 is supposed to have that all the others don't? Why are there so many orders already? What is so great about this new plane coming out. Sure the A380 was big, but list what is better about it that you think it will change the future of aviation.

[T-Bird76]

-Composite design saves weight.

-Longer Range

-New wing design gives it longer range and saves fuel

-New Engine design, read above what it does.

-New cabin comfort with air that has humidity in it. This is HUGE! Planes today have very dry air because metal and moisture don't mix well, i.e. rust. With composites you don't need to worry about it. The comfort to the passengers will be dramatic.

-Given the new economics of the plane more O&D routes will open up vs. having to connect through a hub system.

In basic terms this plane will make and save the airlines a boat load of money.

[mirrodie]

And don't forget the little things, like the size of the windows.

Seriously. It appears the pax windows on it are going to be huge!

Now if only they can find a way to keep the outer serice clear and the inner plexiglass lining from crazing up.

[Clipper]

-New cabin comfort with air that has humidity in it. This is HUGE! Planes today have very dry air because metal and moisture don't mix well, i.e. rust. With composites you don't need to worry about it. The comfort to the passengers will be dramatic.

This marketing point is a crock of crap.. They are not adding more humidity in the air, they are recycling more of the cabin air since there are less leaks(in theory). The "added" humidity is formed from people's sweat, most of that is either leaked overboard or dumped to regulate the cabin pressure today. They have to re-use(recirculate) more percentage of the cabin air because electric air compressor uses too much electricity. I rather have more fresh air and pay $5 more for the fuel, more moisture? not!