Boeing 787 makes first commerical flight

Our good friend Scott Mayerowitz over at the AP was lucky enough to get a seat on the first commercial 787 Dreamliner flight, and he’s just published an update on the experience. The special flight, which ran between Tokyo and Hong Kong yesterday, played host to a variety of media and airline enthusiasts and is a celebration to kick off widespread service of aircraft on All Nippon Airways. The airline is expected to receive 55 aircraft over the next several years and unroll the equipment out to a variety of medium and long haul routes.

Those hoping to fly on the Dreamliner in the United States will have to wait until the first domestic carrier, United Airlines, receives its equipment in early 2012. That aircraft, which is initially scheduled to fly between Houston and Auckland, just rolled of of the assembly line this month and is currently undergoing testing.

New with this airframe will be improved air conditions, wider windows, larger overhead bin space and a quieter, more efficient experience. Whether or not the airlines can successfully negate these benefits with fees and constraints is yet to be proven.

[flickr image via PYONKO]

United’s 787 rolls off of the assembly line

We’re warmly looking forward to the launch of the first domestic 787 product in the United States, United Airlines’ service between Houston and Auckland.

With Japan based – All Nippon Airways as the launch partner for Boeing‘s new jumbo jet, however, we have to patiently wait our turn.

The good news, however, is that construction is still on time for a 2012 delivery. Pictured above (click for a massive, full resolution image) is United’s new aircraft that will be making the route, still covered with accouterments from the factory floor. Next steps include engine installation, paint and a full spectrum of tests.

Product launch is expected for the latter half of 2012. We’ll keep you updated on the progress.

First domestic 787 begins construction

Production and delivery of the 787 jumbo jet is starting to shift into high gear, and as ANA shows off its new Japanese aircraft the focus is now turning to the domestic carriers. Delivery of the new Boeing aircraft to its first domestic carrier is slated for the merged Continental/United airlines — it was Continental’s order (in 2004!) before the two giants joined forces.

Planned for delivery in the beginning of next year, the 787 is scheduled to begin service between Auckland, NZ and Houston, Texas.

In its current state, the aircraft is just having its wings attached at the Boeing plant in Washington. If you look closely, you can see that the fuselage is in multiple pieces and the tail isn’t even in sight. Either way, that fact that the airplane is on the production line is exciting news — we look forward to seeing the inside.

Top Gun spoof features a 787 and A380




Let’s do this. Goose and Maverick are back on the (computer) screen in this new spoof from 3D-Aviation. The team took classic footage from Top Gun and re-worked the plane shots to feature a 787 and A380 completing dastardly feats of daring, including spins, turns, and “goosing” the tower.

What do you think?

Interior photos of the ANA Boeing 787 released

The airline nerdery have been waiting with baited breath for clues about how the interiors of the new Boeing 787 will be designed. Sure, we’ve seen mockups at the Paris Air Show and renderings here and there, but a full, comprehensive tour and photo shoot hadn’t really been completed.

With All Nippon Airways receiving their first equipment this year, however, it was only a matter of time before photos began to circulate. Fortunately, we just got a dispatch from our old friend The Airline Reporter in which several great new photos show facets of the airplane.

Most notably, you can see the new fancy windows that are both larger than the current state of the art and that dim at the push of a button. There’s also a window in the lavatory and what appears to be the next generation in mood lighting.

You can check out the full spectrum of photos at David’s website, Airlinereporter.com. For a few more photos, read on.