Trains, Planes & Automobiles

Coming soon to an airport near you: The Dreamliner takes flight

Boeing's newest technologically advanced passenger jet, the 787 Dreamliner
Boeing Graphics
The interior designers for the Boeing 787 Dreamliner created a larger, more openentryway with sweeping arches that immediately direct the eye upward.
Photo by Alan W. Abramowitz
Boeing officials say the 787 Dreamliner will improve the flying experience forpassengers and flight crews by offering higher humidity, better air quality,lower cabin altitude and a smoother, quieter flight.
Key features of the Dreamliner flight deck include larger displays, dual head-updisplays and dual electronic flight bags.
Boeing Graphics
The Dreamliner, ready for its next flight
Photo by Ed Turner

After over two years of delays, Boeing's state-of-the-art next generation commercial jet, the 787 Dreamliner, completed its first flight on Tuesday, taking off into a gray, cloudy sky in Everett, Washington.

The Dreamliner marks several new advancements for airplane design. It is the first major airliner to use lighter composite materials for the majority of the plane body, equaling a lighter jet that will fly faster, farther and with greater fuel economy than current models according to Boeing.

The 787 is also being touted as the environmentally-friendly travel option, with lower emissions and noise in addition to decreased fuel consumption, as well as a structure made of recyclable, less hazardous materials.

A comprehensive flight-test program will take at least a year, and the first planes are set to be delivered in late 2010 to All Nippon Air. Houston may see more than our share of the planes by 2011-2012, as Continental has ordered 25 of the planes and will be the first American airline to receive its fleet.

Click through the slide show for more design and technology specs, and check out the first Dreamliner takeoff video below.

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This Week's Hot Headlines

Wealthy Houston suburbs with big holiday budgets lead our top 5 stories

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Editor's note:It's time to recap the top stories on CultureMap from this past week. Our top news includes two spendy Houston suburbs that boast big holiday budgets, plus national acclaim for Houston's Afro-Mexican eatery. Looking for the best things to do this weekend? Find our picks here.

1. Affluent Houston suburbs top list of biggest holiday spenders in U.S. Two wealthy Houston suburbs are among the biggest spenders on holiday gifts in the U.S., with budgets well over $3,000.

2. River Oaks restaurant opens in Memorial with expanded menu and bold design. The wait is over for Memorial residents who were looking forward to visiting Relish Restaurant & Bar. Its new location opened December 2.

3. Esquire names Houston's Afro-Mexican eatery to best new restaurants list. Once again Houston is on Esquire's radar, with Chris Williams' Late August being named to the magazine's list of best new restaurants in America.

Late August exterior Late August is one of Esquire's best new restaurants. Photo by Leonid Furmansky

4. Expert panel drafts Houston's best bars and cocktails. On this episode of "What's Eric Eating," CultureMap editor Eric Sandler and six friends take on the Ultimate Houston Bar Draft.

5. Chopped champion's Indian-spiced fried chicken joint opens in Midtown. Pok Pok Po is now open, serving gluten-free fried chicken from chef Jassi Bindra.

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