On Fri, 25 Apr 2008 05:23:59 -0700 (PDT), es330td
wrote in
:

The Dreamliner's wingspan is 197 feet, or about 25% longer than a
similar-sized plane, which increases lift and reduces drag.

Higher aspect ratio wings produce less induced drag; think sailplane.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aspect_ratio_(wing)
http://aerodyn.org/Wings/larw.html
http://pdf.aiaa.org/preview/CDReadyM.../PV2004_38.pdf
http://www.grc.nasa.gov/WWW/K-12/airplane/geom.html