Boeing 787’s interior sparkles

EVERETT — What can passengers expect when they fly on a Boeing Co. 787 jet?

On Wednesday, the company gave journalists a sneak peak inside the third flight test 787 aircraft, which is partially equipped with seats, just like air travelers will see when the highly anticipated jet enters commercial service later this year.

The interior of Boeing’s 787 has several features that set it apart from other widebody commercial airplanes: larger, dimmable windows; more overhead luggage space; colorful LED lighting and the feel of a more open layout.

That’s a feeling Boeing and its airline customers are counting on. The company says that the improved passenger experience will increase revenue for the more than 50 airlines that will fly its 787.

“Business passengers seek out the products they like,” said Kent Craver, Boeing’s regional director of passenger satisfaction and revenue.

Those passengers could start trying to land seats on 787s after Boeing delivers its first Dreamliner late this year to Japan’s All Nippon Airways. Boeing is running more than two years behind schedule on its Dreamliner program. It has a backlog of 851 orders.

And the company still has many obstacles to clear as the 787 works its way through flight testing. The test program began Dec. 15 with the maiden flight of the first Dreamliner.

Scott Fancher, general manager of the 787 program, had a positive outlook for the 787 program when he spoke with journalists Wednesday.

“The airplane is performing in the air really well,” he said.

Boeing flight test engineers like Derek Muncy will test out some of its passenger comforts when the third flight test plane takes to the skies later this month.

“This airplane is everything that the passengers get to see,” Muncy said. “I’m looking forward to it.”

The flight test engineers will make sure the 787’s air conditioning works when the airplane is full of passengers. They’ll heat up meals in the Dreamliner’s galleys during flight to see if the airplane can handle both the heat and the extra draw on power. And the flight test engineers will deploy the overhead oxygen masks to make sure those will work in an emergency.

The company usually doesn’t go to such lengths to test the interior of its aircraft, said Tom Galantowicz, director of 787 interiors. However, the company wants to prove to its customers that the 787 really will deliver a better flying experience for airplane passengers.

Despite Boeing’s efforts to improve comfort for travelers, it remains an airline’s choice on how closely the seats are laid out and how comfortable those seats are. The mostly composite 787-8 can seat between 210 and 250 passengers.

But Boeing’s Galantowicz says that no matter how densely seated 787 passengers are, they’ll still enjoy the extra room in overhead storage bins to store luggage. And even passengers in the middle seats should be able to see out the 787’s larger windows.

The overhead lighting, if set to the right hue, should make passengers see the 787’s interior as a less confined space than other aircraft its size, Boeing’s Craver said.

“We highly recommend to our customers that they use the blue, especially when boarding,” he said.

787 passenger features