Boeing's 787 Dreamliner got off to a rough start. Just over a year after its first commercial flight, the aircraft was grounded after batteries overheated on two flights. This Dreamliner, built for Air India, was the first produced at Boeing's new production facilities in North Charleston, South Carolina.
Dreamliner's turbulent debut —
Boeing's 787 Dreamliner got off to a rough start. Just over a year after its first commercial flight, the aircraft was grounded after batteries overheated on two flights. This Dreamliner, built for Air India, was the first produced at Boeing's new production facilities in North Charleston, South Carolina.
PAUL J. RICHARDS/AFP/GettyImages/File
Aviation safety regulators have approved Boeing's battery fixes, and Dreamliners have started to fly again. Earlier this year, this All Nippon Airways 787 made an emergency landing because of battery troubles. ANA plans to resume commercial Dreamliner flights in June.
Dreamliner's turbulent debut —
Aviation safety regulators have approved Boeing's battery fixes, and Dreamliners have started to fly again. Earlier this year, this All Nippon Airways 787 made an emergency landing because of battery troubles. ANA plans to resume commercial Dreamliner flights in June.
STR/AFP/Getty Images/File
The redesigned battery system, right, adds a containment and venting system to prevent possible overheating from affecting the plane. At left is a battery case damaged during a flight on a Japan Airlines Boeing 787. It was one of two incidents that prompted the Dreamliner's grounding.
Dreamliner's turbulent debut —
The redesigned battery system, right, adds a containment and venting system to prevent possible overheating from affecting the plane. At left is a battery case damaged during a flight on a Japan Airlines Boeing 787. It was one of two incidents that prompted the Dreamliner's grounding.
SAUL LOEB/TOSHIFUMI KITAMURA/AFP/Getty Images
A LOT Polish Airlines 787, with a redesigned lithium-ion battery system, performs a test flight in March at Paine Field in Everett, Washington. The Dreamliner's distinctive wings sweep back at 32 degrees.
Dreamliner's turbulent debut —
A LOT Polish Airlines 787, with a redesigned lithium-ion battery system, performs a test flight in March at Paine Field in Everett, Washington. The Dreamliner's distinctive wings sweep back at 32 degrees.
Stephen Brashear/Getty Images/File
United Airlines is the lone U.S. carrier flying the Dreamliner. These are Business First Class seats on one of United's six 787s.
Dreamliner's turbulent debut —
United Airlines is the lone U.S. carrier flying the Dreamliner. These are Business First Class seats on one of United's six 787s.
Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images/File
The use of composite materials on the Dreamliner makes larger window cutouts possible. Composites have replaced aluminum as the predominant material in the 787. The 777 is made up of 50% aluminum and 12% composites, compared with the Dreamliner's nearly 50% makeup of composites and just 20% aluminum.
Dreamliner's turbulent debut —
The use of composite materials on the Dreamliner makes larger window cutouts possible. Composites have replaced aluminum as the predominant material in the 787. The 777 is made up of 50% aluminum and 12% composites, compared with the Dreamliner's nearly 50% makeup of composites and just 20% aluminum.
Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images/File