The Museum's Boeing 787-8 ZA003 has been donated by The Boeing Company, and is the third 787 ever built.
The Boeing Company designed the 787 to be the first production airliner to make extensive use of composite materials. With lighter-weight materials, and the use of two new jet engines model from Rolls-Royce, the Dreamliner is 20 percent more fuel-efficient than similarly sized airplanes.
The Boeing Company conducted studies to understand how altitude, humidity, air contaminants, lighting, sound and space affect passengers. The results led to significant passenger experience improvements including the largest windows of any commercial airplane, more head room, customizable lighting, a quieter interior, a smoother ride and cleaner air. The composite fuselage not only allows for larger windows, but can withstand higher internal air pressure and humidity levels which studies showed significantly improve passenger comfort.