10 things you need to know about Boeing's new jet the 787 Dreamliner

CRIPPLING jet lag. Battles over space in the overhead lockers. Terrifying turbulence. When you step on-board the 787 Dreamliner, you can wave goodbye to the most common air travel gripes.

CRIPPLING jet lag. Battles over space in the overhead lockers. Terrifying turbulence. Dry skin.

When you step on-board Jetstar's newest plane, you'll be able to wave goodbye to the most common air travel gripes - or at least suffer less from them.

What will you get in return? A smoother, quieter ride.

In fact, you'll begin to understand just how the aircraft got its name; the 'Dreamliner'.

The latest and most technologically advanced jet from Boeing, the first Australian-owned 787 Dreamliner jet has finally arrived in Melbourne for Jetstar.

We went on board to see if the $194 million plane really does live up to the hype. Here are 10 things you need to know about the Dreamliner.

1. Plane roomy

Sure, the plane isn't bigger than an A380 jumbo jet, but the interior design really does gives the illusion of more space.

It's quite striking just how much difference the higher ceiling and overhead lockers, which slope upwards and out of the way, make. What's more, the windows, which are 30 per cent bigger than those on most other planes, let more natural light flood in to the cabin.

Overall, you just don't feel quite as crammed in like sardines as you do on most commercial planes.

Inside it feels quite roomy. Picture: Kate Schneider

2. Taking the edge off jet lag

Due to the plane being built from carbon composite material, a humidity of 14 per cent is possible, which is about double that of other commercial planes. While it's still quite dry, it helps combat jet lag and won't strip passengers of as much moisture as other jets. That's right, dry, flaky skin will be less of an issue.

The increased cabin pressure (which reduces the altitude from about 8000 feet to 6000 feet) means passengers will experience fewer headaches and less dizziness and fatigue, as testing has shown the body absorbs eight per cent more oxygen into the blood at this altitude.

It's also good news for those who like to drink alcohol on flights.

Then there are the lights - which are used either to bathe the cabin in psychedelic rainbow colours to give the feel of a nightclub - or soft orange, blue or pink hues for a more calming effect.

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3. So smooth

It's one of the most dreaded aspects of flying: turbulence. While Boeing can't eliminate the problem, it reckons it has made things more comfortable when it does strike, by using its turbulence-dampening system. Also, a lighter plane allows for more padding to protect passengers from vibrations and noise.

Inside the cockpit. Picture: Kate Schneider

4. Peace and quiet

The Deamliner also has a noise footprint that's a jaw-dropping 60 per cent lower than similarly-sized aircraft, which benefits not just those in the sky, but those on the ground. The Dreamliner's air conditioning system is also quieter.

I also travelled on the Dreamliner last year on its test flight in Australia, and it was noticeably quieter inside the jet, so much so that at one point I questioned whether the engines were actually on!

It's quieter on board. Picture: Kate Schneider

5. Bye-bye to baggage battles?

According to Boeing, the overhead lockers are the biggest on any commercial plane. This is welcome news, considering the influx of passengers with massive carry-on items these days. They're also easier to reach.

6. Tinted windows

Not only are the windows significantly larger, but they also have a nifty auto-tint function, allowing them to be darkened at the push of a button when it's time for a nap.

A tinted window. Picture: Kate Schneider

7. Good news for airfares

The jet is more fuel efficient so will keep the cost of flying as low as possible for airline. It uses 20 per cent less fuel, one of the biggest expenses any airline faces. It's also expected to reduce maintenance costs by approximately 30 per cent.

8. Out with the old, in with the new

To make room for the Dreamliner fleet, the Qantas Group will begin retiring its gas-guzzling Boeing 767s by mid-2015.

9. The seats

Sorry to disappoint here, but as Jetstar is a low-cost airline, expect standard (though new!) seats. There'll be slightly more legroom, with a seat pitch of 30-31 inches in economy, compared to an average of 29 inches across the Jetstar fleet.

The Dreamliners will fit 335 passengers, with 21 business class seats and 314 economy seats. There are in-flight entertainment units on all seats - but you'll need to pay.

The business class seats. Picture: Kate Schneider

10. Plane troubles

The Dreamliner has come under scrutiny in the past year or so after being hit with a series of problems. Notably, the entire fleet was grounded globally in January after lithium-ion batteries overheated on two different Dreamliner planes.

Jetstar will start operating the Dreamliner on passenger flights from November 13.

For those keen to get on-board, the initial routes are Melbourne (Tullamarine) to the Gold Coast (return), Melbourne to Cairns (return) and Melbourne to Bali.

One of the plane's engines. Picture: Kate Schneider