Originally Posted by
FlightlessParrot
Do all other passenger aircraft use oxygen generators instead of bottles?
Can't comment of the specifics of the 787 but there certainly are other large passenger aircraft around that use gaseous oxygen/"ring main" systems.
From a users POV in the Long Haul arena they have at least a couple of possible advantages over generator systems:
1. If post decompression you end up in a brief cruise just above 10,000 feet (e.g; at say 12 000' for terrain reasons) you can selectively turn off/on supply to individual seats, thereby saving what's left in the tanks for those who are deemed to still need breathing assistance (not everybody will).
2. On a more routine basis if you have a passenger with a medical problem who needs oxygen for a considerable period of time ( and on a long haul flight it can sometimes be hours) you can supply him/her with a mask plugged into the oxygen ring main system rather than use up all your portable walk around bottles..