BUSINESS | June 13, 2013, 5:09 p.m. ET

Boeing to Launch Stretch 787 in Paris

By JON OSTROWER And DANIEL MICHAELS
THE WALL STREET JOURNAL

Boeing Co. is close to formally launching a third version of its 787 Dreamliner and securing its first firm orders for the stretch-bodied jetliner, according to people familiar with the company's plans.

The aerospace company is expected to name at least three customers for the plane, known as the 787-10, at next week's Paris air show, including launch customers from Asia, Europe, and the U.S.

The version of the Dreamliner currently in operation, the 787-8, which has about 240 seats, resumed flights in late April after a three-month grounding triggered by burning lithium-ion batteries, and Boeing is looking to regain its momentum by sparking sales of the new 320-seat 787-10. Boeing also sells an intermediate-sized Dreamliner version, the 787-9, with 270 seats, that it is expected to start delivering next year.

United Continental Holdings Inc. is likely to be the first U.S. customer for the 787-10, the people familiar with the situation said. A spokeswoman for United, which currently operates the 787-8 and has the 787-9 on order declined to comment.

British Airways parent International Consolidated Airlines Group SA and Singapore Airlines Ltd. are expected to lead the announced orders, the people said. Both airlines have indicated plans to buy Dreamliners, though only Singapore Airlines publicly indicated a preference for the new 787-10.

Air Lease Corp., which was closely involved in the 787-10's development, also is expected to be an early customer for the jet, potentially ordering up to 30 of the new jets to lease to airlines, one of the people said.

Boeing hasn't disclosed pricing on the 787-10. Prices for the 787-8 is around $200 million before discounts.

"We continue to engage our customers on the potential new member of the 787 family," said a Boeing spokesman.

The 787-10 is designed to compete against the Airbus A350, which is expected to make its maiden flight on Friday. Airbus is a unit of European Aeronautic Defence & Space Co. EAD. The stretched 787 won't fly as far as the A350, but Boeing says the jet will offer better economics on shorter routes.

Boeing's board granted its sales teams in November the authority to start formal sales discussions with potential customers for 787-10. Boeing had planned to secure its first orders for the new Dreamliner earlier in the year, but was slowed by the grounding of the global Dreamliner fleet, said executives.

Boeing to Launch Larger Dreamliner at Paris Air Show - WSJ.com

 

No doubt - the 787-1000 will be ours (all of ours) and can't wait to see the target speeds for approach - ala 737-900er

 

Well, the 757 can go as slow as 115 kts on final, indicated. Throw in a nice 20 kt head wind for SFO and you can turn off before the 1's, and have to add power to get there.

Finally a decent replacement for the DC-10's.

 

I fly the 9's alot, flew a 700 tonight and that 130 kt approach made me jumpy. One nice benefit of the 9's appch, ATC gives you alot of room!
Looking forward to flying the 87, nice lookin ride.

 

Forgive the intrusion but isn't "Sparky" the airbus a320 series?

 

I assume the nickname Sparky is a clever play on the recent battery fire issues for the B787.

 

Let's hope you don't actually turn off before the 1's.

 

Then you need to add a LOT of power

 

I guess you never know maybe turn off early and then wait for 20 departures off the 1"s and build some extra flight pay.

 

Non, le airbus et "fifi the wonder jet," si vous plait. Merci.