Boeing tells Everett: We're building new 787-10 Dreamliner only in South Carolina

EVERETT, Wash. -- Boeing announced Wednesday that final assembly of the 787-10, the newest and longest member of the Dreamliner, will take place exclusively in North Charleston, S.C.

Boeing will continue to assemble both 787-8s and 787-9s in Everett, Wash., and North Charleston, the company said.

Design of the 787-10 is under way in Everett, with final assembly of the first 787-10 scheduled to begin in South Carolina in 2017, Boeing said.

"We looked at all our options and found the most efficient and effective solution is to build the 787-10 at Boeing South Carolina," said Larry Loftis, vice president and general manager of the 787 program, Boeing Commercial Airplanes.

"This will allow us to balance 787 production across the North Charleston and Everett sites as we increase production rates."

The 787-10 will be 18 feet longer than the 787-9.

Boeing said that with 10 feet of that increase in the mid-body section, the 787-10 mid-body is too long to be transported efficiently from North Charleston, where systems integration work is performed, to the Everett facility for final assembly, Boeing said.

"In addition, introducing the 787-10 in North Charleston takes advantage of that facility's capacity while allowing the Everett facility to continue improving productivity as it focuses on the 787-8 and 787-9," Boeing said.

The 787 production system includes three production lines: two in Everett (including a temporary surge line) and one in South Carolina. To date, the 787 family has won more than 1,000 orders and more than 165 airplanes have been delivered to 21 customers worldwide.

The 787-10 will  provide more passenger and cargo capacity  in the medium twin-aisle market.

Since its launch in June 2013, the 787-10 has won 132 orders from six global customers, Boeing said.