Size choice

Howdy,

Ultimately it is up to the airlines. If you are familiar with the DC8 and 707, the Dash 80 originally was configured for five seats wide. The DC8 was configured for six. Pan Am ordered (I think) 25 DC8’s and approximately 20 (or so) 707’s; this was a shock to Boeing. United also went for the DC8 because of the width. It was American Airlines that forced Boeing to see the light and increase the width. The 707 was approximately one inch wider in the end than the DC8. The Width of the Coronodo damaged this aircraft too (not to mention problems with performance). Ultimately it’s the airlines who make this decision by buying the aircraft.

Bkonner

Well, what decisions can the airlines do after buying the aircraft?

With narrowbodies, there is little choice. On a plane meant for 6 across like Boeing narrowbody, DC-8 or Airbus narrowbody, the airliner can have premium seating like 5 abreast, 4 abreast or 3 abreast, but they dare not add a seat column for 7 abreast, because there is not enough space even in Airbus and also it would mean a seat 3 seats from aisle which they also dare not.

But as for widebodies: Boeing 767 is meant for 7 across, but it can be and sometimes is fitted with 8 across. Airbus widebodies are meant for 8 across, but 9 occasionally happens. Boeing 747 entered sevice with 9 across, but 10 is as good as standard by now, and is also common on the narrower Boeing 777. I have even heard of 10 abreast on MD-10… So, any added width on Dreamliner compared to Airbus standard 528 cm merely makes it more likely it would be 9 across.

How much width is there inside a Dreamliner?