Premium #148 – 787 Fuel burn performance and the limitations of public data

There is much good to be discovered in the US DoT’s Form 41 data. But it is important to understand the limits of this source. As an example we are going to take a look at the data this source has on the 787.

Recently FlightGlobal published (Nov 18-24) an excellent article on a series of interviews they undertook with airlines operating the 787. The overall feedback from airlines is positive. No doubt this gives Boeing a lot of comfort. Airlines report the 787 is a fuel efficient aircraft – with 20% savings over what the 767-300ER achieved apparently quite common. This is the number Boeing promised their customers.