boeing 787 ANA dreamliner takes its first intercontinental flight

the boeing 787 ‘dreamliner’ has just made its first intercontinental commercial voyage, between frankfurt and tokyo

with a flight this morning from frankfurt, germany, to tokyo, japan, the boeing 787 ‘dreamliner’ for japanese carrier ANA (‘all nippon airways’) has completed its first intercontinental voyage, following initial flights in the late fall and winter of 2011. in addition to vastly increased energy efficiency, a quieter engine, and a redesigned cockpit, the aircraft features a more spacious, better pressurized cabin with LED mood lighting.

view of the aircraft’s cockpit

using recyclable materials and lightweight composites, as well as electric instead of conventional pneumatic architecture for engine and cabin controls, the system reduces energy consumption by 20%. the plane also more than doubles the efficiency of its water usage.

the craft is powered by a pair of turbofan engines outfitted with a cover to greatly decrease engine noise as experienced within the cabin. the cockpit, outfitted with four LCD screens and four seats, is made more secure by requiring PIN access code to enter.

visual video tour of the ANA ‘dreamliner’ cabin

because the composites composing the body of the ‘dreamliner’ are resistant to corrosion, boeing increases interior humidity levels from four to 15%, with a new air-conditioning system that improves air quality. the cabin is also pressurized at an altitude of 6,000 feet (compared to 8,000 for similar aircraft), decreasing the possibility of air sickness; and the plane automatically detects turbulence, adjusting wing angles to counteract its effects.

the plane is completely free of fluorescent lighting, instead using single and tricolor LEDs that can be used to mimic the daylight spectrum, offer mood lighting, or add visual interest to the cabin. the windows are 30% larger and have no shades, composed instead of dimmable ‘smart glass’ that becomes more or less opaque in response to presses of a button below the window.

larger overhead compartments fit up to four suitcases. airlines can choose whether to have eight or nine seats in each row, but in the ANA planes, the middle row is separated into pairs of two with a small space in between.

cabin LED lighting can mimic the spectrum of daylight or provide mood accents, including in the rainbow effect shown here (used by ANA for demonstration but not in flight)image © engadget