Despite the decrease in travel demand, Continental will be accepting six new Boeing 787 planes in the second half of 2011. The 787 is a super-efficient airplane with a capacity of 223 to 296 passengers.   Fifty percent of the primary structure - including the fuselage and wing are made of composite materials. The aircraft of the last 60 years has been made of riveted aluminum which is very susceptible to corrosion with high humidity levels that make it sweat.  Therefore airlines keep humidity inside the aircraft low which dehydrates humans in order to preserve their aircraft fuselages.  Since the 787 is not aluminum but composites the humidity and cabin pressure can be adjusted to that of 6000 feet elevation with no ill effects on the aircraft structure making it a new comfortable experience especially in long-haul flights.

Continental will be the first U.S. carrier to fly these luxury planes.  Delta Air Lines is still in talks with Boeing regarding their 787 purchase deal after their take over of Northwest Airlines.  Continental was the first U.S. carrier to contract an order for the 787 planes.  The contract had called for the first planes to be available in 2009, but there have been production and design delays that have pushed the delivery date back several years.  Continental has not yet revealed where they plan to use the 787 planes, 25 of which are on order.  Two 787's are due to arrive as early as mid 2011, with the others following in late 2011.  The airline also disclosed that their domestic bookings are down, but both Latin American and Pacific bookings are higher than this time last year.

Learn more about the 787 in the next Fellowship Travel Newsletter.