Technology Redefines Joy of Flight

Revolutionize flight—That is the lofty goal that the Dreamliner design team set at the beginning of the 787 development process. The team studied commercial flight from every viewpoint to identify how an airplane could strengthen the aviation business and help the world rediscover the joy of flight.

For the first time in history, the financial community was invited to help airplane designers address the value of the airplane as an asset. This teamwork kept financier value at the forefront during design. The result is a highly innovative design that makes the 787 a solid long-term investment. Among the innovations are some revolutionary changes in the airplane interior.

Breathe Easy on Long-Distance flights

Improving passenger comfort enhances market demand
Ever feel dried out at the end of a long airplane flight? One reason is that the air conditioning system aboard conventional airplanes gradually replaces cabin air with the much drier air from the high-altitude atmosphere outside. The cabin atmosphere, which starts out with the same humidity as the city where you boarded, becomes increasingly dry as the flight progresses.

In aluminum airplanes, cabin humidity is kept low intentionally, in order to prevent condensation on the airplane's interior surfaces. Condensed moisture can build up in insulation materials and eventually contribute to corrosion of the airplane's metal structure.

The Dreamliner's composite structure does not corrode when exposed to moisture. What's more, the Dreamliner's insulation is designed to resist the buildup of moisture. This allowed Dreamliner engineers to design an air conditioning system that retains a comfortable level of humidity throughout the flight.

But Boeing studies revealed that humidity is only part of the key to feeling good after a long flight. Volunteers in one study spent 10 to 15 hours sitting in a simulated airplane environment, just to pinpoint the real source of the itchy eyes and dry sinuses that passengers often report.

The studies found that gases and vapors coming from objects and materials around us—as well as from clothing and our fellow passengers—are the main culprits in causing that dried-out feeling. So, the Boeing 787 adds air purification to the airplane's environmental control system, which already filters out microscopic particles and even viruses. Removing irritating vapors is a big advance in promoting passenger comfort.

The Dreamliner's composite structure contributes in yet another way to a comfortable cabin atmosphere—a richer mixture of oxygen in the air at cruise altitude.

Comfortable Cabin Pressure Made Possible by the 787 Composite Fuselage

Cabin pressure in today's intercontinental airplanes is equivalent to what you would find on an 8,000-foot mountain peak. That's about 1,000 feet higher than the city of Santa Fe, New Mexico, in the United States, and about 1,000 feet shy of the altitude of Quito, Ecuador. Alpinists may find this altitude exhilarating. Most people, however, find greater comfort with the oxygen mix at 6,000 feet—about the same as a vacation resort, such as Nevada's Lake Tahoe in the United States or Switzerland's St. Moritz.

While cruising at an altitude of 30,000 or 40,000 feet, the air in a conventional airplane cabin is pressurized to the equivalent of an 8,000-foot mountain peak. Over many years of repeated pressurizations, the structure of an aluminum airplane becomes fatigued.

Composites do not suffer fatigue from this repeated stress. Consequently, the Dreamliner can be pressurized to the equivalent of 6,000 feet of altitude—more reminiscent of an elegant resort than a lofty mountain spire.

Passenger preference for the Dreamliner's improved comfort will give operators a competitive advantage that can only bolster the already extraordinary demand for the 787. The airplane's value as an asset can only be enhanced by such enthusiastic airline and passenger acceptance.

Passenger-Friendly Features

The Dreamliner focuses on improving passenger experience
It may seem like a paradox, but sometimes reducing the number of choices can actually increase flexibility. As a case in point, airlines have traditionally been faced with a bewildering number of choices when they configure an airplane.

If you have ever wondered whether to push or pull the latch on an overhead stowage bin, you have encountered one of these choices that the airline must make.

The Dreamliner design team analyzed the passenger cabin from one end to the other to identify the places where airline choices add confusion to passengers rather than value to the airline. Places like these, where passengers actually touch the airplane with their hands, were designated "passenger touch points." The team then developed standards to ensure that airline choices of interior features do not become sources of confusion that distract passengers from enjoyment of the flight.

Consequently, when you reach your seat on the Dreamliner, you won't have to puzzle out whether the latch on the stowage bin pushes or pulls—or whether it works from the right or left, top or bottom. Just go with your intuition. Your every choice is the correct one.

Once in your seat, you'll notice the large windows, even if you are seated on the aisle. A touch point below the window allows you to control how much light shines through. At your command, the window darkens electronically, allowing you to choose the most comfortable of five settings. The world outside remains visible to those who enjoy the view, yet the light doesn't disturb passengers who wish to watch movies or sleep. And, to ensure that the lighting level is appropriate for the activity in the cabin, flight attendants can control window tint for the whole airplane from a central panel.

Later in the flight, you won't need a telescope to see if the little panel above the lavatory reads occupied or available. Illuminated accent trim, visible from every seat and complementary to the cabin décor, glows green or red, to let you know which lavatory is free.

Upon approach to the lavatory door, you will have no difficulty figuring out how to get in—or out. Just turn the knob as you would on any door and the door will pivot open and slide out of the way. Closing the door is similarly intuitive.

Design standards like these help passengers enjoy the flight experience. But just as importantly, standards make many interior components interchangeable.

Interchangeability is a big economic advantage for commercial jetliner owners and operators. The Dreamliner is designed to carry passengers for at least 30 years. During that period, interior styles will likely change several times. Seats, lavatories, galleys—and especially in-flight entertainment systems—will be upgraded or replaced several times as well. When an airplane is sold or leased, the new operator will want to redo the cabin in the colors and patterns of the airline's brand identity.

The Dreamliner design team worked with cabin component suppliers to develop standard mounts and interfaces that will make such modifications quick and economical. As a result, airplane owners can expect higher lease and resale values throughout the 787 Dreamliner's life cycle, and will find a larger pool of potential lessors and purchasers when the time comes to transfer the airplane to another owner or operator.