Singapore Airlines finalizes 787-9 Dreamliner Order

Singapore Airlines has finalized an order for 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 2013, providing growth as well as 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 airline has not yet made an engine selection.

The 787-9 Dreamliner will carry 250 - 290 passengers on routes of 8,600 to 8,800 nautical miles (15,900 to 16,300 km). The airplane will travel at speeds similar to today's fastest widebodies, Mach 0.85.

General Electric and Rolls-Royce are developing the engines for the new airplane, which will feature a standardized engine interface, allowing either manufacturer's engines to be installed at any time on the airplane. The new engines are expected to contribute as much as 8% of the increased efficiency of the new airplane.

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