Who Wants to Fly on a 787?

The Wall Street Journal reports:

As Boeing Co. tests fixes to the batteries of its 787 Dreamliners, it now faces the challenge of persuading passengers that the jetliner will be safe to fly when it resumes commercial service.

The efforts include sending surveys to frequent fliers, aviation enthusiasts and others to gauge attitudes toward the Dreamliner.

But safety experts say part of the Chicago plane maker’s evolving public relations strategy also involves playing down the severity of the burning lithium-ion battery incidents, which prompted the grounding of the 787 over nine weeks ago.

However, the burning lithium-ion battery issue has kept the plane grounded for weeks, which could turn into months. The trouble has played itself out in the news media, often on front pages.

One of the favorite marketing gimmicks used by airlines is the comment made by many captains as they pilot their planes aloft: “Thank you for flying with us. We know you have a choice in airlines, and we are glad you chose ours.” That can be changed now: “We know you have a choice in airplanes. Thanks for taking the risk of flying the 787.” That is, of course, if pilots are willing to get at the controls of the troubled plane.

Airlines have come to realize the risks to not only their current financial results, but also possible future effects on their sales. Air India and All Nippon Airways want cash refunds on their 787 purchases, instead of the traditional credits for upcoming deliveries. That may be because these carriers have decided there is some risk to taking upcoming deliveries as they fret about the 787’s reputation with their customers.

There are no ready precedents to the 787 problem. Most passengers will board almost any plane, with the presumption it has been cleared for safety and poses no threat to life and limb. Many passengers may be willing to wait an hour, or a day, to avoid a 787 and take some alternative flight on a different airplane.