Singapore orders Dreamliners

Boeing announced yesterday that Singapore Airlines has ordered 20 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, with purchase rights for 20 additional airplanes.

The airline originally announced the selection of and intent to purchase the 787-9 in June.

Singapore Airlines' new 787-9s will be delivered from 2011 through to 2013, providing growth and fleet renewal. The carrier intends to use the new airplanes on routes to North Asia, the Indian subcontinent and the Middle East.

Singapore Airlines' order for these 20 Dreamliners brings the total orders for the 787 family to 422 airplanes from 33 customers, with commitments for 23 additional airplanes announced by other customers.

The 787-9 Dreamliner will carry 250 - 290 passengers on routes of 8,600 to 8,800 nautical miles (15,900 to 16,300km). Boeing says the airplane will use 20 percent less fuel for comparable missions than any similarly sized airplane and will also travel at speeds similar to today's fastest widebodies, Mach 0.85.