3. Boeing 787 Dreamliner
Cruise Speed: Mach 0.85
Engines: 2
In the aftermath of September 11 attacks, faced with rising oil prices and a general decline in passengers, Boeing abandoned its work on a Sonic Cruiser, designed for Mach 0.9+ speed. Instead, in 2003, the company announced the new midsized, two engine jet, called 7E7. Eight years and $32 billion later, the first 787, the number three on our list of fastest commercial passenger planes in the world today, took to the skies. The new airliner was more focused on fuel efficiency than speed, hence 50% of the materials used in its construction were composites. It can achieve Mach 0.85, while burning 20% less fuel than its predecessor, Boeing 767.
