Boeing unveils eco-friendly plane

Just days after revealing its new plane Boeing has already received a record number of orders for the 787, a plane touted as the most environmentally friendly ever built.

The unveiling of the plane on 7/8/7 in the American format, in Everett was greeted by an audience of thousands and they have already received over 600 orders worth more than a billion dollars. It is seen as one of the most important planes to be produced in Boeing’s 90 years history and comes at a time when the company was struggling.

A new plane

The plane, Boeing’s first new jet since 1995, comes with several technological advancements over other models, both its own and those of competitors. The most noticeable and welcome step forward comes from the materials used in the construction of the plane. Instead of using aluminium, a metal that has been used in plane construction for decades, a composite material has been used. The carbon fibre reinforced plastic used in the body is so much lighter than aluminium that there is around a 20% reduction in fuel used. Less fuel means fewer emissions, something that environmentalists will be very happy about. It’s not only lighter but stronger as well.

Increased efficiency isn’t the only benefit of the new materials being used. The carbon fibre body is less susceptible to corrosion meaning that the air inside the cabin can not only be kept at a higher pressure but also at a higher level of humidity allowing for a much more comfortable flight. The better conditions should go a long way to alleviating jet lag. A specially designed engine should reduce the amount of noise produced by 60%, a benefit both to passengers and those living below flight paths.

Unlike their competitors Airbus, Boeing gambled on producing smaller planes that would fly passengers between any two cities in the world. The plane has a range of up to 15,200 km and seats between 210 and 250 passengers. Airbus, however, are building the A380 which seats a massive 550 and is designed to fly solely between the major aviation hubs of the world.

A greener future

Even Airbus have congratulated Boeing on the progress they have made saying in a letter that "Today is a great day in aviation history. Whenever such a milestone is reached in our industry it is always a reflection of hard work by dedicated people inspired by the wonder of flight."

The 787 has been welcomed by most environmental groups and it will not only have the lowest emissions per passenger of any plane but also the lowest cost. A move that is welcomed both by environmentalists, consumers and businesses alike. Phil Clap, president of the National Environmental Trust in America said the 787 is a “major step forward.”

The sole worry for environmentalists over the plane is that the cheaper tickets that will result may lead to people flying more often which of course would offset any benefits of the cleaner plane.