Dozy
I was not making an Airbus vs Boeing thing as you might think. I was just saying the technology for the use of composites for modern day commercial aircraft is here.
If you are concerned about pressure testing of the Boeing 787 fuselage, rest assured it was accomplished. I am not sure today's technology requires the use of water tank submergence as was the case of the Comet years ago. However, here was the results of Boeing's testing on the 787:
On March 28, 2010 loads were applied to the test unit to replicate 150% of the most extreme forces the airplane is ever expected to experience while in service, Boeing claimed. The wings were flexed upward by approximately 25 feet (7.6 meters) during the test and the fuselage was pressurized to 150% of its maximum normal operating condition.
In evaluating the success criteria for the test, Boeing said that its specialists have been poring over the thousands of data points collected during the test to ensure that all parts of the airplane performed as expected.
Regards,
TD