With an increase of capacity to 280 passengers from the current 242 for the 787-8, the Boeing 787-9 version should garner plenty of attention from potential customers and interested onlookers.
The first 787-9 was delivered to Air New Zealand last week and even with over 400 orders on the books, Boeing also has another upcoming Dreamliner version due in 2018 called the 787-10. It will have a capacity of 323 passengers but with a flying range of 7,020 nautical miles (13,000 km). The 787-8 has a range of 7,850 nm (14,500 km) and 787-9 clocks in at 8,300 nm (15,372 km).
All this is good news for potential BBJ VIP owners, as the selection of available models and proven in-operational use of this aircraft by airlines worldwide will make this aircraft a solid proven choice for private and business jet customers worldwide.
The plane is able to fly longer distances which opens up new route configurations that were not attainable in the past. Boeing states that compared to similar aircraft, the 787 has 15% lower operating cost, 30% lower cost in airframe maintenance as well as reductions in emissions and noise.
Boeing is working through production and reliability problems that have plagued the plane and is now producing at a rate of 10 per month, ramping up to 14 per month by 2018.
The Boeing 787-9 is making daily demonstration flights at Farnborough Air Show at the hands of Boeing’s 787 chief test pilot.