July 08, 2007 -- Boeing officially debuted its technologically advanced and environmentally progressive 787 Dreamliner in a celebration attended by employees, airline customers, supplier partners, and government and community officials.
Approximately 15,000 people attended the event at the Everett, WA, final assembly factory. More than 30,000 participated via two-way satellite into the event in Everett from Japan, Italy, and locations in the United States. As many as 90 other locations around the globe involving 787 customers, partners, and many Boeing employees also chose to download the event live or watch it pre-recorded and host their own viewing event.
It is the first new commercial aircraft to be launched by Boeing in 10 years.
"This has been a wonderful and exciting day to celebrate this breakthrough airplane with our customers, employees, supplier partners, and our communities," said Scott Carson, Boeing Commercial Airplanes president and CEO. "We are gratified that the 787 has been so strongly validated in the marketplace by our customers. Their response is proof that the Dreamliner will bring real value to our airline customers, passengers and the global air transportation system."
One supplier from the forging industry that is happy with the 787 introduction is Ladish Co., Cudahy, WI, whose Ladish Forging forges key components that go into the 787.
The Dreamliner, the world's first commercial airplane to extensively use composite materials, is expected to use 20 percent less fuel per passenger than similarly sized airplanes, produce fewer carbon emissions, and will have quieter takeoffs and landings.
Following the premiere, the first 787 Dreamliner will be completed in the Everett factory - including the installation of final systems elements, interiors and flight test equipment. First flight of the airplane is expected in late August or September. A total of six airplanes will be included in the flight test program, which will conclude in May 2008 with the certification of the airplane followed shortly by the first delivery of a 787 to Japan's ANA.
To date, 47 customers worldwide have ordered 677 airplanes worth more than $110 billion at current list prices, making the Dreamliner the most successful commercial airplane launch in history.
Ladish is benefiting from the introduction of 787, a mid-sized passenger plane, which airlines are ordering to replace older, less fuel-efficient aircraft.