This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/business/6680635.stm
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Boeing assembles first 787 plane | Boeing assembles first 787 plane |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Boeing has started final assembly of its first 787 Dreamliner jet. | Boeing has started final assembly of its first 787 Dreamliner jet. |
| The plane is coming to life at Boeing's main US production facility near Seattle, Washington from parts first made as far away as Italy and Japan. | The plane is coming to life at Boeing's main US production facility near Seattle, Washington from parts first made as far away as Italy and Japan. |
| Boeing now plans to carry out the first test flights in August before initial deliveries to airlines in May 2008. | Boeing now plans to carry out the first test flights in August before initial deliveries to airlines in May 2008. |
| The medium-sized 787 is Boeing's first all-new commercial plane in more than 10 years, and has so far attracted 568 orders from 44 airlines. | The medium-sized 787 is Boeing's first all-new commercial plane in more than 10 years, and has so far attracted 568 orders from 44 airlines. |
| Its success - so far at least - is in marked contrast to the problems at European rival Airbus over its A380 superjumbo. | Its success - so far at least - is in marked contrast to the problems at European rival Airbus over its A380 superjumbo. |
| The giant twin-deck A380 is now running two years late due to a major rewiring problem. | The giant twin-deck A380 is now running two years late due to a major rewiring problem. |
| In pictures: building the Dreamliner | |
| Airbus has only gained 161 orders to date for the A380, which is due to start commercial service by the end of this year. | Airbus has only gained 161 orders to date for the A380, which is due to start commercial service by the end of this year. |
| Giant structure | Giant structure |
| Boeing said the main body of each 787 will arrive at its main assembly plant in six pieces from around the world. | Boeing said the main body of each 787 will arrive at its main assembly plant in six pieces from around the world. |
| They are then being joined together within a giant support structure called the MOATT - which stands for the "mother of all tool towers". | They are then being joined together within a giant support structure called the MOATT - which stands for the "mother of all tool towers". |
| "The 787 not only will revolutionize air travel, it represents a new way of building airplanes," said Boeing's vice president of airplane design and production Scott Strode. | "The 787 not only will revolutionize air travel, it represents a new way of building airplanes," said Boeing's vice president of airplane design and production Scott Strode. |
| With a main body and wings predominantly made of carbon composite materials, Boeing says it has made the 787 as light as possible - thus saving 20% on fuel costs. | With a main body and wings predominantly made of carbon composite materials, Boeing says it has made the 787 as light as possible - thus saving 20% on fuel costs. |
| It will carry between 210 and 330 passengers, depending upon the seat configuration, and will have a range of up to 8,200 miles (15,000 km). | It will carry between 210 and 330 passengers, depending upon the seat configuration, and will have a range of up to 8,200 miles (15,000 km). |
| Boeing said it will take about seven weeks to assemble the first plane, but that by the 100th, it expects to lower this time to six days per aircraft. | Boeing said it will take about seven weeks to assemble the first plane, but that by the 100th, it expects to lower this time to six days per aircraft. |
| The company plans to produce 112 Dreamliners in the two years after the first delivery of the plane in May 2008. | The company plans to produce 112 Dreamliners in the two years after the first delivery of the plane in May 2008. |