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According to Boeing, the 787 will gain greater efficiency through using composite carbon-fibre and plastic for the body structure. Carbon-fibre has long been used for making boats and racing cars, but this is the first time it has been used on a commercial airliner. The advantage of carbon-fibre is that it is a strong but light material that can be easily moulded and repaired.

Fuel efficiency does not stop with the structure, Boeing has changed the way the inside of the aircraft is powered. In a traditional aircraft, the engine takes compressed air and drives things pneumatically. In the new aircraft, the units are powered by electricity generated by the engine. This makes the engine and the units more efficient.

Along with a more efficient aircraft comes the potential for a longer flying range. The range of the 787 is estimated to be 9,430 miles - enough to fly from London to Hawaii without stopping. This alone means that less fuel is burned, because it is the taking off and landing phases of flight that consume the most fuel. Instead of two take-offs and landings, there will be just the one.

The 787 is smaller than super-jumbo Airbus A380, which means that it has more airport options than the A380. This in turn means that it can fly directly from more places than the A380 reducing the need for larger airports and transfering from one airport to another for long haul.

While welcoming the fuel efficiency of the 787, environmentalists are wary about the implications of longer range and cheaper aircraft. Specifically, that travel will become cheaper and as a result will create even more emissions because we will be flying more. It remains to be seen whether this will be the case, but in the meantime, any cut in fuel consumption is good and should be encouraged. Other mechanisms are required to cut absolute emissions.

The 787's first test flight is due in September, and the first delivery is expected in the middle of next year. Already over 600 orders have been received.

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