The national flag carrier Saudi Arabian Airlines displayed a Boeing 787 simulator at the E Village in Diriyah, attracting hundreds of visitors.
In an exclusive conversation with Arab News, Sean Klosterman, commercial sales director at Boeing for the Middle East and Africa, said: “We brought the 787 simulator here because it is one of the most fuel-efficient airplanes in the world. It is 20-25 percent more fuel-efficient than similar-sized aircraft, making it an environmentally friendly choice, and Saudia flies these brand-new fuel-efficient airplanes. So, this is our way to show the public that Saudia is a modern fuel-efficient and sustainable airline.”
The Boeing 787, Klosterman explained, is eco-friendly, as it uses less fuel. It is also constructed using composites including carbon fiber-reinforced plastic, an approach that offers weight savings of 20 percent compared to conventional aircraft designs, reducing fuel burn.
Explaining how the simulator works, Klosterman said: “Boeing uses a computer that translates what a pilot inputs into the controls, and it moves the airplane in the same way. So, it’s a simulation of real life. This is exactly how it would be applied with accuracy in the airplane.”
For efficiency, the 787 replaced conventional pneumatic systems with a far more powerful electric system. It is capable of flying on a 50 percent blend of sustainable aviation fuels with plans to increase this to 100 percent.
The 787 windows are the largest in the sky, up to 80 percent larger than other aircraft. It is also the only commercial aircraft to be made of one-piece composite barrels. Furthermore, it has a 50 percent smaller noise footprint than previous generation aircraft.
Since the first 787 entered service in 2011, the aircraft have saved more than 49 billion pounds of fuel and have led to over 40 billion metric tons of carbon emissions being avoided.
The Saudia 787 features 24 latest-generation full-flat business class seats. It is the only one to feature a dedicated onboard prayer room. It also has a lower cabin altitude than conventional aircraft (6,000 feet compared to 8,000 feet), ensuring Saudia passengers arrive feeling fresh and less fatigued.
