Anatomy of
the Dreamliner
Breaking down a Boeing 787 to see
how it outpaces, out-specs and
outmanoeuvres the competition
Engines
T wo engine models are compatible with the
Dreamliner: twin General Electric GEnx or
Rolls-Royce Trent turbofans. Both models
produce 280kN (64,000lbf) and grant the 787 a
cruising speed of 1,041km/h (647mph). They are
also compatible with the jet’s noise-reducing
nacelles, duct covers and exhaust rims.Electronics
The 787 features a host of LCD
multifunction displays throughout the
flight deck. In addition, passengers have
access to an entertainment system based
on the Android OS, with Panasonic-built
touchscreen displays delivering music,
movies and television in-flight.Flight systems
The 787 replaces all bleed air and hydraulic power
sources with electrically powered compressors
and pumps. It is also installed with a new wing ice
protection system that uses electrothermal
heater mats on its wing slats to mitigate ice
buildup. An automatic gust alleviation system
reduces the effects of turbulence too.Cockpit
The Dreamliner’s state-of-the-art cockpit is fitted with
Honey well and Rock well Collins av ionics, which
include a dual heads-up guidance system. The electrical
power conversion system and standby flight display is
supplied by Thales and an avionics full-duplex
switched ethernet (AFDX) connection transmits data
between the flight deck and aircraft systems. Cargo bay
The standard 787 – referred to as the 787-8 – has a cargo
bay capacit y of 125m³ (4,400ft³) and a max takeoff weight
of 227,930kg (503,000lb). The larger variant – referred to as
the 787- 9 – has a cargo bay capacit y of 153m³ (5,400ft³) and
a max takeoff weight of 247,208kg (545,000lb).Wings
The 787 Dreamliner’s wings are manufactured
by Mitsubishi Heav y Industries in Japan and
feature raked wingtips. The raked tips’ primar y
purpose is to improve climb performance and,
as a direct consequence, fuel economy.© BoeingEvolution of
the jetliner
We select some of
the high points in the
development of the
commercial jetliner
1945 Vickers VC.1 Viking
A British short-range airliner derived
from the Wellington bomber, the Viking
was the first pure jet transport aircraft.1952 DH-106 Comet
The Comet was the world’s first
commercial jet airliner to reach
production. It was developed by the
de Havilland company in England.1955
SE-210 Caravelle
The most successful
first-generation
jetliner, the Caravelle
was sold en masse
throughout Europe
and America. It was
built by French
company Sud Av iation.1976
Aérospatiale-BAC
Concorde
A standout development in
the second generation of
jetliners, the Concorde
delivered supersonic,
transatlantic flight –
something unrivalled
even to this day.1958 Boeing 707-120
The first production model of the now-
widespread 707 series, the 707-120 set a
new benchmark for passenger aircraft.1961 Convair 990
A good example of a narrow-body
jetliner, the 990 offered faster
speeds and greater passenger-
holding capacity.The first completed Dreamliner was
delivered to A ll Nippon A ir ways in 2011© Boeing© BoeingAIR