Boeing launches 787-10, United to be 1st in North America

Ben Mutzabaugh | USA TODAY

Le BOURGET, France — Boeing today officially launched its Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner, which will be the carrier's largest version of its new-age jet.

United will be the North American launch customer for the jet, forming part of a "launch group" of customers announced by Boeing at a press conference this morning at the Paris Air Show. United plans to buy 20 of the 787-10s.

"Advanced technology aircraft like the 787-10 are key to United's future, enabling us to fly fuel-efficient, customer-pleasing aircraft that are the right size for many long-haul markets in our unparalleled network," United CEO Jeff Smisek said in a statement sent out to coincide with Boeing's Tuesday morning press event in France.

The others in the 787-10 launch group are Singapore Airlines (30 orders), British Airways (10) and two aircraft leasing companies. The Air Lease Corporation ordered 30 787-10s and 10 for GECAS.

The official launch of the 787-10 had been widely anticipated, especially after GECAS announced its commitment to the jet Monday. Singapore's 30-jet commitment also was previously announced, contingent, of course, on the actual launching of the program to build it.

The first 787-10 is expected to be delivered in 2018, though Boeing said it was not yet determined which company would be first.

"This is a launch group. That's how we're treating it," Boeing CEO Jim McNerney said when asked who would be first.

Boeing says its 787-10 will seat 300 to 330 passengers and have a range of 7,000 nautical miles (about 8,100 statute miles).

The 787-10 will be Boeing's third version of its Dreamliner. The second member of the family, the 787-9, is in final assembly in Everett, Wash., and projected to make set to make its first flight later this year.