The Airplane of Your Dreams is Finally Here: Inside the New Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner
Say hello to the 787-9 Dreamliner (Photo: Midland Airport/Flickr)
Ah, there’s nothing like that “new plane smell.”
The Dreamliner is coming to a carrier near you: the first U.S. carrier, United Airlines, took delivery of the dazzling new 787-9 plane from Boeing on Wednesday. On September 20, United will start flying the plane from Houston.
That means you’ll soon be able to fly the friendly skies in this super-sweet (and super-large; it’s even bigger than its predecessor, the 787-8) aircraft.
While the new Dreamliner lacks some airplane features that we dream about (a separate soundproof cabin for crying babies; automatic vodka dispensers at every seat), it does have several new extras that travelers will love. Here are the things you’ll love about the new Boeing 787-9:
IT’S BIGGER
(Photo: AP)
…both in size and in range. The plane’s fuselage is 20 feet longer than its predecessor. Plus it has a range of 8,000-8,500 nautical miles (the 787-8 has a range of 7,650-8,200). Admit it; it’s kinda cool to be on the biggest plane on the runway.
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AND IT’S BIGGER ON THE INSIDE
(Photo: Boeing)
It seats 280 passengers, nearly 40 more than its predecessor. Time will tell if that improves your chances of getting that last standby seat.
THE WINDOWS ARE AWESOME
(Photo: Getty Images)
They’re bigger. And, like the 787-8, they dim at the push of a button. So no more fielding requests from seat neighbors to pull down (or pull up) those window shutters.
THERE’S MORE ROOM FOR YOUR STUFF
(Photo: Boeing)
The Dreamliner says it has the industry’s largest baggage bins. Will airlines increase their carry-on size limits?
YOU’LL BE ABLE TO SLEEP BETTER
(Photo: Air New Zealand)
Air New Zealand — which was the first international airline to take delivery of the new Dreamliner 787-9 in June —beefed up its sleep space with its new plane. The business cabin has 18 lie-flat seats.
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YOU’LL BE ABLE TO SLEEP BETTER, VOL. 2
(Photo: Thinkstock)
The Dreamliner consumes 20% less fuel and produces 20% lower CO 2 emissions than other planes its size, meaning you can rest easily knowing you’re being (slightly) more environmentally friendly.
LED MOOD LIGHTING
(Photo: Getty Images)
Great for nice airplane ambience — not to mention making it easier to see your iPad as you use your flight to catch up on “Game Of Thrones.”
BETTER AIR
(Photo: Boeing)
Scoops on the side of the plane constantly bring in fresh air, which goes through an advanced filtration system that makes the air cleaner and more humid, meaning your eyes and skin won’t dry out as much.
UNDER PRESSURE
(Photo: Boeing)
The plane is pressurized at a lower altitude, reducing those unpleasant side-effects of flying (air sickness, headaches, etc.). They’ll keep the air sickness bags on board, though, in case the in-flight movie stars Nicolas Cage.
SMOOTHER, QUIETER RIDE
(Photo: Boeing)
Everything about the plane — from its air conditioning to the materials used for the seats and cabin — is designed to make your flight even quieter. But it won’t be 100% quieter. Hey Boeing: maybe you can put that soundproof baby cabin in the 787-10.
(Photo: Boeing)
