Boeing has made a subtle but important change to livery of its next generation plane the 787 Dreamliner which enhances aircraft performance. By developing a method for maintaining a smooth flow of air -- called laminar flow -- over more area on the 787 nacelle inlet, Boeing is able to reduce aircraft drag and fuel consumption. To achieve laminar flow over the inlet it is necessary to maintain a very smooth, continuous surface without paint edges, which can occur when paint transitions from one color to another, or as paint details are added. The design parameter for the nacelles is based on thickness of the paint formulation for a single color; Boeing has chosen gray to complement the metallic appearance of the nacelle's inlet. This change reduces fuel consumption by 30,000 gallons per year per plane which results in considerable savings for the airline keeping in mind the high fuel costs.

Scheduled for delivery beginning in 2008, uses 20 percent less fuel per passenger than similarly sized airplanes. To date, 28 airlines have logged 403 orders and commitments worth more than $55 billion at current list prices since the 787 launch in April 2004, making the Dreamliner the most successful commercial airplane launch in history.