Boeing unveiled its lightweight, carbon-composite 787 Dreamliner yesterday in front of 15,000 cheering employees, customers and suppliers.
The interior of the new Boeing jet
The plane, which was unveiled at the company's Everett, Washington plant, is Boeing's first all-new aircraft in 12 years and has already attracted more than $100 billion in orders.
Apart from its swept-back, upward tilting wings, the plane did not look radically new on the outside.
But beneath the just-dried paint the structure is made up of 50 per cent carbon composite materials and another 15 per cent titanium, making it much lighter and fuel efficient than existing jetliners of the same size.
The plane is not scheduled to begin flight testing for at least another six weeks, and still needs its internal power and control systems fitted and functioning.
The use of fatigue-resistant and rust-free composite materials means air in the cabin can be more humid, leaving passengers less dried out and jetlagged after a long flight.
The twin-engine plane, which seats nine-abreast in coach, can carry 210 to 330 people in its three models of various sizes. Prices range from $146 million to $200 million.
The plane is trouncing rival Airbus, whose competing A350 XWB (extra wide body) has been afflicted by design changes.