Flightblogger Jon Ostrower has posted an important update on the special Japan version of the Dreamliner, the 787-3.
Graphic © Boeing
This leaves Boeing, as of 7 June, with only a single customer for two of its passenger jet products, Lufthansa for the 747-8, the ultimate version of the Queen of the Skies, the 747, and All Nippon, the sole customer for the 787-3.
But the 787-3 which is currently in deferred development status, could be a stunning sleeping beauty if on re-awakening it becomes a replacement for the Airbus A300 and older shorter range versions of the 767.
There is no other ‘right sized’ jet concept in public view which addresses the short to medium range 250 passenger wide body market in an optimised form.
It can be argued that the current version of the 787-3 is over-optimised for Japan, where the prime requirements included a wing span reduced to fit within gates currently used by 767-200s and -300s.
But what if Boeing re-arranges the 787-3 to directly appeal to the need for a short haul wide-body at a broader level, something with a capacity similar to the early 757s, but capable of quicker turns between short haul flights which is a strength of the 767 with two aisles rather than one?
‘If’ is of course a big word. But so is the projected need for shorter haul twin jets in Japan, China, India and even the US and Europe. In 10 years time the 787-3 could be a very big item.
