787 Dreamliner is the 'best-selling plane of its type'

YESTERDAY'S crash was the first involving a Boeing 787 Dreamliner.

- By Neil Lancefield

The aircraft type, which entered service in 2011, is described by the US manufacturer as “the best-selling passenger widebody of all time” - with more than 2,000 orders from 89 customers.

The planes have carried more than one billion passengers on nearly five million flights.

Air India has 34 in its fleet, according to aviation analysis firm Cirium. It is also flown by several other airlines serving the UK, including British Airways, Virgin Atlantic and Tui Airways.

Concerns

The Dreamliner increases fuel efficiency by up to 25% compared with the older planes it replaces, due to modern engines, lightweight materials and improved aerodynamics.

Recent safety concerns over Boeing aircraft have generally related to the 737 Max.