Boeing launches eco-friendly Dreamliner

© The Boeing Company

Aircraft manufacturer Boeing has unveiled its new Dreamliner model, at a dazzling ceremony at its Washington state headquarters.

Fifteen thousand guests were present for the launch of the 250-seat Boeing 787 yesterday afternoon (Sunday, July 8), with its inaugural flight penciled in for this fall.

Hal Smith, one of the Boeing engineers involved in the construction of the aircraft, told the state's HeraldNet Web site that the unveiling was a proud moment for the team.

"To me, it's sort of like the payoff," he said. "This is like a little pay back for all the hard work."

According to Boeing, the new airliner will use 20 percent less fuel per passenger than similarly sized planes, thanks to the efficiency of its carbon composite airframe, and will also produce fewer carbon emissions.

677 orders have already been filed for the plane, with Virgin Atlantic ordering 15 of the $80 million model.

Passenger services using the Boeing 787 Dreamliner should begin in May, 2008.

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