Thomas cook/Dreamliner

[insurance_jon]

Ive booked for Mexico next April, and had an email from Thomas cook saying my itinerary has changed.

When checked the only difference was 55min shorter flight times. Does this mean tc are using the Dreamliner on their Mexico routes by next April?

[anonymous-user]

Thomas Cook aren't getting the 787. The first uk operator will be Thomson.

[Black9]

As far as I know Thomas Cook never ordered 787's, Thomson are due there's early 2013.

[insurance_jon]

Apologies, just checked. Booked with tc flying Thomson

[Eric Mc]

I didn't think the 787 was any faster than (say) the 757 or 767.

[ETOPS]

Eric,

I'm sure El Stovey will correct me, but I believe the B757 cruises at around M0.80, whereas the B787 cruises at around M0.85. Not an enormous difference on the face of it, but enough to have an impact over that length of flight,

Going off rough, simplified figures on the back of my fag packet;

Assuming nil wind, at referenced atmospheric conditions for 36,000ft.

M0.80 is about 460kts true airspeed/ground speed.

M0.85 is about 490kts true airspeed/ground speed. An increase of 30kts.

The great circle distance from Heathrow to Mexico City is about 5500nm.

Time taken at M0.80 is about 12:00.

Time taken at M0.85 is about 11:15.

At that time of the year, wind speeds heading West, while not at their strongest, are greater than late spring/summer, and are all headwinds. This will increase the impact of the increased speed. For simplicity, assume a constant 100kt headwind, and the times taken are:

15:15 at M0.80

14:05 at M0.85

So, it sounds plausible. There are countless other variables to factor in, as operators decide on their own speed schedule (heavily utilised aircraft may cruise faster, to squeeze in an extra flight each week/lightly utilised or lo-cost carriers may slow down, to conserve fuel).

Hope I haven't bored you to the point of not wanting to go, OP!

[Eric Mc]

Thanks for that. Didn't bore me.

Nice to see a new airliner that is faster than its predecesors. We haven't seen that for a while.

[ETOPS]

Indeed. With the 787, the 747-8 and impending 777X, it would appear that Boeing have made some impressive steps forward regarding wing technology.

Shame that appears the only big new trick the 747-8 brings to the table.

[Maxymillion]

I'm told the air quality onboard is noticeably 'better' .....more 'breathable'....

[ETOPS]

Maxymillion said:

I'm told the air quality onboard is noticeably 'better' .....more 'breathable'....

So I gather, too. The cabin air, for the first time, is not bled from the engine. Instead, there are dedicated compressors to create pressurised air, so your air hasn't been through the processes which turn it from engine 'thrust air' to breathable air, which in turn means it retains much more moisture, and doesn't sap the engines of power.

[Eric Mc]

It's also at a higher pressure too.

[FourWheelDrift]

insurance_jon said:

When checked the only difference was 55min shorter flight times. Does this mean tc are using the Dreamliner on their Mexico routes by next April?

Perhaps they have found a short cut.

[insurance_jon]

cheers for the info chaps. Flying from manchester, a little further north, so it seems about right. As an aside its only 15 mins shorter on the way back, so I'm presuming headwinds