23 Steps Forward, Two Steps Back

Just past midnight Thursday morning, Boeing confirmed an order by Air Canada, announced Tuesday by the airline, for 23 Boeing 787 Dreamliners. The order brings to 37 the number of 787s ordered by Air Canada, the most 787s ordered by any carrier in the Western Hemisphere.

The 23 787s are worth approximately $3.5 billion at list prices. The order brings the total number of announced firm 787 orders to 567 from 44 customers.

As Aero-News reported Wednesday, as part of the deal Boeing and Air Canada agreed to cancel two 777 freighter orders.

"Air Canada will be among those airlines prepared to provide passengers with the most modern flying experience possible using the 787 -- higher cabin humidity, large windows, a lower cabin altitude and more cabin space," said Ray Conner, vice president, Sales, Boeing Commercial Airplanes.

In 2005, Air Canada became the 25th airline to select the 787 Dreamliner when it ordered 14 aircraft, along with 18 larger 777s.

Boeing claims its 787 Dreamliner will use 20 percent less fuel than today's airplanes of comparable size, provide customers with up to 45 percent more cargo revenue capacity, and present passengers with innovations including a new interior environment with higher humidity, wider seats and aisles, larger windows, and other conveniences.

FMI: www.boeing.com, www.aircanada.com