Quantcast

Boeing resolves major issue with Dreamliner’s battery system

Here's how Southwest Airlines' new seating and boarding process will work
Delta Adds New Route to Asia
Southwest Airlines will begin selling assigned seats in 2025
United Airlines Pilot Buys Passengers Pizza In Albuquerque After Flight Was Delayed 7 Hours
Czech Airlines to Cease Operations, Ending 23-Year SkyTeam Partnership
An Asian airline hopes launching one of the world's longest narrowbody routes will actually be a comfort upgrade for passengers
Airlines begin canceling flights, offering rebooking ahead of Hurricane Helene
Southwest Airlines to cut service and staffing in Atlanta to slash costs
New heights, new features: Discover Alaska’s enhanced Flight Pass subscription service
Alaska Airlines completes acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines, expanding benefits and choice for travelers
American Airlines welcomes JetSMART to the award-winning AAdvantage program
Explore Japan for free? Japan Airlines offers free domestic flights to foreign travelers
Delta named Official Airline Partner of Birmingham City Football Club
American Airlines to Cut These Routes to Las Vegas, Orlando, and More — Here's Why
Alaska Airlines completes acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines, expanding benefits and choice for travelers
Southwest wouldn't really start charging for bags — right?
JD Power ranked this Midwest airport as the best among largest airports in North America
Alaska Airlines Chief Plans More Routes After a Deal With Hawaiian
Air Canada could begin suspending flights soon as strike deadline nears
JetBlue's new ticket policy entitles every passenger to a carry-on bag
Why United Airlines’ CEO makes as few decisions as possible
American invests in the future of aviation maintenance with new jobs, additional work
DOT probe seeks to determine if frequent flyer programs are fair to travelers
American Airlines flight diverted after passenger starts vaping
Russian Airline Wants $100 Million From Canada for Seizing Its Giant Cargo Plane
Here's where American Airlines is adding flights to Europe in summer 2025
Major airline grounds Airbus A350 fleet, citing faulty engine component
Airline CEO wants airports to cap passengers at 2 alcoholic drinks to limit on-board disruptions
Regulator cuts Malaysia Airlines' air operator certificate duration after probe
United Airlines flight attendants are prepared to strike. Here's why it's still unlikely.
Boeing resolves major issue with Dreamliner’s battery system
Policy
Webp nipponairwaysboeing787 9dreamliner
Nippon Airways Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner | Wikipedia

Boeing has successfully addressed a significant setback concerning the 787 Dreamliner, one of its prominent widebody airliners. The aircraft, first announced in the early 2000s, was designed for efficiency and cost-effectiveness, targeting a 20% reduction in fuel burn compared to other widebody aircraft like the Boeing 767. The company achieved this through the use of General Electric GEnx or Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engines and composite materials for the airframe.

The Dreamliner, introduced with All Nippon Airways (ANA) in late 2011, has been widely successful, with over 1,000 units produced and more than 2,100 ordered globally. However, recent news highlighted a major incident on June 12 when Air India Flight 171 crashed shortly after takeoff, resulting in significant casualties.

A key issue arose earlier with the Dreamliner's battery system. On January 7, 2013, a Japan Airlines Boeing 787 caught fire due to a thermal runaway in its lithium-ion battery cells. A similar incident occurred nine days later with an ANA Boeing 787 during flight NH-692. Both incidents raised serious safety concerns about the aircraft's battery design.

Get the Newsletter
Sign-up to receive weekly round up of news from Sky Industry News
By submitting, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. By providing your phone number you are opting in and consenting to receive recurring SMS/MMS messages, including automated texts, to that number from our short code. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help, STOP to end. SMS opt-in will not be sold, rented, or shared.

In response to these incidents, the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) grounded all Boeing 787 Dreamliners operated by US airlines on January 16, 2013. This marked the first time since 1979 that an entire fleet of US commercial jets was grounded.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) confirmed that both fires were caused by thermal runaway due to internal short circuits within different batteries on each aircraft. The NTSB criticized both Boeing's risk modeling and GS Yuasa's quality control issues.

To resolve these problems, Boeing redesigned the entire battery system of the Dreamliner. Key changes included a stainless-steel containment box around each battery unit and a dedicated venting system to direct smoke or gases overboard safely. Additional internal design changes were made to enhance separation between cells and improve electrical insulation. New software safeguards were also introduced for better monitoring and early detection of anomalies.

After rigorous review processes, the FAA approved Boeing's new battery system in April 2013, allowing the fleet to return to service.

Organizations Included in this History
More News

Singapore Airlines has announced the expansion of its "Book the Cook" meal pre-ordering service for eligible premium-class passengers, as said on its website.

Jul 23, 2025

Allegiant Air has announced a promotional offer on the social media platform X, providing a $100 discount on Las Vegas air and hotel packages.

Jul 22, 2025

EVA Air has announced a free Wi-Fi upgrade for all cabin classes on select aircraft, available from July 1 through September 30.

Jul 22, 2025

Emirates announced on X that it will add a third daily flight to Dublin starting October 26, providing morning, afternoon, and evening departures for greater flexibility.

Jul 22, 2025

Ethiopian Airlines has announced on the social media platform X that it is now offering twice-daily flights from Juba to Addis Ababa, Cairo, Kigali, and Entebbe.

Jul 22, 2025

Etihad Airways has announced the activation of its codeshare agreement with Ethiopian Airlines, enhancing access to 55 African destinations and connecting Africa with Asia, Australia, and the Middle East through Abu Dhabi and Addis Ababa.

Jul 22, 2025