The Dreamliner's use of lightweight composite materials to greatly improve fuel economy has made it a big seller in Asia and the Middle East, where long-haul flights account for much of an airline's business.

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The 787 is the first airliner made mostly from lightweight composite materials, which increases an aircrafts fuel efficiency.

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It uses the same composite-material technology to reduce weight and hence fuel consumption.

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Rather than seek economies through scale, the 787 will deliver economy through technological innovation, making the most of newly designed, fuel-efficient twin engines and lightweight composite materials.

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Part of the Dreamliner's appeal to airlines is its increased fuel efficiency due to its construction of lightweight composite materials instead of metal.

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Airbus' A380 superjumbo and Boeing's upcoming 787 Dreamliner both use new engine designs, lightweight composite materials and advances in aerodynamics to improve performance, increase fuel efficiency and lower emissions.

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As the first major airliner to use lightweight composite materials for most of its construction, the 787 Dreamliner also promised 20% better fuel economy and 30% lower maintenance costs.

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Boeing's 787 Dreamliner combines a 50 percent carbon-composite structure with advanced engines, aerodynamics and other improvements to save one-fifth of its fuel at no extra cost.

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