PARIS, Jan. 10, 2012 /PRNewswire/ — Boeing (NYSE: BA) and Air France-KLM Group have finalized an order for 25 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, with options. The order was signed in late December 2011 and was recorded on Boeing’s Orders & Deliveries website, attributed to an unidentified customer. A preliminary agreement was first announced on September 16, 2011.

“By making the 787 a key part of its fleet renewal, Air France-KLM strengthens its position as a worldwide leader,” said Jim Albaugh, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “Reaction to the Dreamliner’s entry into service has been phenomenal and we look forward to seeing passengers of Air France-KLM fly on this revolutionary airplane.”

The Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner is a slightly larger version of the 787-8 and will carry 250-290 passengers on routes of 8,000 to 8,500 nautical miles (14,800 to 15,750 kilometers). The 787 provides airlines with incredible fuel efficiency, resulting in exceptional environmental performance. The airplane uses 20 percent less fuel than today’s similarly sized airplanes. It also travels at a speed of Mach 0.85, which is similar to the speed of today’s fastest wide-body airplanes.

The order increases the number of 787-9s on order to 305 airplanes. The 787 Dreamliner family, including the 787-8 and 787-9, has accumulated a total of 860 orders from 59 customers located all over the world.

Eight French companies partner with Boeing on the 787 Dreamliner. They include Dassault Systemes (software solutions), Labinal (wiring), Latecoere (passenger doors), Messier-Bugatti-Dowty (main and nose landing gear, electric brakes), Michelin (aftermarket tyres), Radiall (connectors), Thales (electric power conversion system, flight display, in-flight entertainment system), and Zodiac Aerospace (primary power management system, emergency slides, water and waste systems, cabin interiors, galley inserts and seats, and other equipments).

The Air France-KLM Group is a long-time and valued customer with a large Boeing fleet of 188 airplanes in operation, including 74 for Air France and 114 for KLM. Air France-KLM is one of the world’s largest 777 operators.

Source: Boeing
Photo: Marcel van Leeuwen, Z.A.P.P.