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Japan Airlines Takes Delivery of Their First Two Boeing 787 Dreamliners

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JAL's Boeing 787 Dreamliner is revealed to the crowd.

JAL's Boeing 787 Dreamliner is revealed to the crowd.

Yesterday,  Boeing, Japan Airlines (JAL) and GE celebrated the delivery of the first and second 787 Dreamliner with GEnx engines to JAL.

“Today is an important moment in our 60-year relationship with Japan Airlines as we celebrate the deliveries of not one, but two Dreamliners,” said Jim Albaugh, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “The 787 will provide the fuel-efficient airplane needed to serve Japan Airlines growing international operations.”

Jim Albaugh, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Mr Yoshiharu Ueki, JAL's President and Bill Fitzgerald, GE's vice president and general manager of Commercial Engines Operation hold up the 787 sign paperwork.

Jim Albaugh, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Mr Yoshiharu Ueki, JAL's President and Bill Fitzgerald, GE's vice president and general manager of Commercial Engines Operation hold up the 787 sign paperwork.

The morning started with a press breifing by JAL’s President, Mr. Yoshiharu Ueki and Mr. Tetsuya Onuki, Managing Executive Officer Corporate Planning. They discussed the importance of their new 787 aircraft and what they hope to accomplish with them in the future.

Ueki, who recently became President of JAL, was previously a pilot for 35 years, flying aircraft like the DC-10 and Boeing 747. He announced that JAL has decided up their order of the 787 by an additional 10, making their total order for 45 aircraft.

They are planning to take delivery of 25 787-8s and 20 of the larger 787-9. When asked when JAL hopes to received additional Dreamliners beyond the two yesterday, Ueki stated he is unable to discuss when that might be, but he did confirm that he was excited to take two aircraft.

JAL's entry way on the Boeing 787 Dreamliner is quite welcoming.

JAL's entry way on the Boeing 787 Dreamliner is quite welcoming.

JAL’s president explained the three main reasons why he likes the Boeing 787 Dreamliner: the fact it is a beautiful aircraft, the economics of flying it and the ability to fly long distances. JAL currently plans to only operate their 787s on longer range flights and there are currently no plans to use their 787s on domestic routes.

“JAL will be the first airline to start new routes that have never been flown before by taking full advantage of the efficiencies of this aircraft, starting with Boston service next month and San Diego later this year,” said Ueki. “The 787 with GEnx engines has the performance economics that JAL is looking for to ensure route profitability, and also the enhanced in-flight comfort that our customers will be delighted with.”

JAL's Executive Class on the 787 Dreamliner.

JAL's Executive Class on the 787 Dreamliner.

JAL is planning to launch a route between Tokyo and Boston on April 22nd, followed by a flight to San Diego, Moscow, Delhi and Singapore in the next few months.  JAL will be the first airline to operate the 787 Dreamliner to the United States.

After the conference, media and guests were taken down the gallery at the Future of Flight, which was nicely decorated in a JAL theme. The facility’s prominent tail of a Boeing 747 had the red crane logo, along with large JAL logos on either side of the stage. Jim Albaugh, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Mr Yoshiharu Ueki, JAL’s President and Bill Fitzgerald, GE’s Vice President and General Manager of Commercial Engines Operation all spoke about the momentous achievement of delivering the aircraft.

Boeing was not afraid to admit that the plane was delayed and Albaugh went as far as to apologize to JAL. “We know we’re late in delivering this airplane, and we apologize for that. But we hope that when you start operating this airplane you’ll forgive us for the fact that it was late. We think it really will be a game-changing airplane for you.”

Economy Class on the JAL Boeing 787 Dreamliner.

Economy Class on the JAL Boeing 787 Dreamliner.

After Albaugh handed over two keys to Ueki (one for each Dreamliner), a video was shown highlighting JAL’s new 787 aircraft. As drums played in the background, the screen was raised and curtains were opened to unveil JAL’s first Dreamliner (JA825J).

After the ribbon was cut and executives posed on the stairway, it was time to climb on board and check out JAL’s interior for the 787.

The entryway to JAL’s 787 was very warm and welcoming. With the pink lighting and warm colors of the interior, it really had a much more cozy feeling to it than other airline interiors. JAL has configured this 787 to have 42 Executive Class seats in a 2-2-2 layout and 144 Economy Class seats in a 2-4-2 layout.

The Flight Deck has the best seats in the house. Shown here is the HUD (heads up display) with a JAL 787 in old livery and Dreamlifter in the background.

The Flight Deck has the best seats in the house. Shown here is the HUD (heads up display) with a JAL 787 in old livery and Dreamlifter in the background.

Of course, one of the benefits of the Dreamliner is the ability to produce different LED lighting schemes through out the flight. JAL demonstrated some of their planned themes, including pink, peach, blue and green, which represent different seasons.

During my short time in JAL’s Dreamliner, the only thing that really disappointed me was that JAL opted not to place a window in one of the lavatories. Do not get me wrong, it is still a very nice and spacious restroom to be used at 30,000 feet, but there is just something pretty cool about being able to see the wing while using the bathroom.

A few hours after this was taken, it was on its way to Tokyo.

A few hours after this was taken, it was on its way to Tokyo.

At about 4:30pm yesterday JAL’s first Dreamliner left Paine Field en route to Narita International Airport (NRT), while the second aircraft left a little over an hour later, headed to Haneda Airport (HND).

The Boeing 787 Dreamliner is truly a game changing aircraft and I am sure many of us are waiting for additional airlines to start putting it into service.

ADDITIONAL JAL BOEING 787 DREAMLINER GOODIES: 
See all 53 photos of the JAL Boeing 787 Dreamliner delivery
Video of take off, landing in Japan and more information from Boeing
Great undershot of JA822J during take off 

Follow Along: The Delivery of JAL’s First (and possibly second) Boeing 787 Dreamliner

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HI RES IMAGE (click for larger). JAL's Boeing 787 Dreamliner taking off at Paine Field. Photo by Boeing.

HI RES IMAGE (click for larger). JAL's Boeing 787 Dreamliner taking off at Paine Field. Photo by Boeing.

Today, Japan Airlines (JAL) has officially taken delivery of their first Boeing 787 Dreamliner (JA822J). There are also strong rumors that JAL might take (or has already taken) delivery of their second aircraft (JA825J) as well.

Although the official paperwork has been signed, Boeing and JAL will not celebrate the delivery until tomorrow morning. There are some smaller media events today (ie tour of the 787 flight simulator), but the main event will start at about 9:30am PT on Monday and last until Noon. You are invited to follow along with the delivery adventure via Twitter; be sure to follow #JAL787, @AirlineReporter, @FlightBlogger and of course @BoeingAirplanes.

UPDATE: Boeing confirmed that they delivered two 787 Dreamliners to JAL on the 25th.

Golf at 30,000 Feet? You Bet! Air New Zealand Tests Your Skills

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Do you have what it takes at 30,000 feet?

Do you have what it takes at 30,000 feet? Photo by Air New Zealand.

FORE! What do you get when you have a fun-spirited airline, like Air New Zealand (ANZ) sponsoring a sporting event like the NZ PGA Pro-Am Championship? You get to test your putting skills at 30,000 feet… that is what.

Starting yesterday, ANZ started their 30,000ft In-Flight Putting Challenge. It is exclusively on board their Airbus A320 aircraft that is painted in All Blacks livery (ZK-OAB), flying between Auckland and Queenstown.

Four passengers on each flight will be able to strut their stuff and put down the aisle for a chance to win a variety of golfing prizes. The one passengers who does the best overall during this week will win a VIP trip to the actual championship.

Putting on the ground is one thing. Trying it while in an airplane at 30,000 feet is another. Photos from Air New Zealand.

Putting on the ground is one thing. Trying it while in an airplane at 30,000 feet is another. Photos from Air New Zealand.

’œAt Air New Zealand we’re crazy about rugby on the outside of our planes and we’re crazy about golf on the inside,” James Gibson, Air New Zealand’s Head of Sponsorship stated. “This world-first for entertainment onboard is sure to show off some skills and provide a few thrills for passengers traveling on the all black A320 over the next few days.”

How can you not like fun airborne promotions like this? I have a hard enough time at my local putt-putt golf course on the solid ground, I couldn’t imagine what it would be like at 30,000 feet with a little bit of turbulence.

Photos and the leaderboard are up on ANZ’s theflyingsocialnetwork.com site. Currently the person in the lead was able to make her hole in one at six feet. Let’s see if that can be surpassed.

VIDEO: behind the scenes of the ANZ photo shoot

Japan Airlines to Take Delivery of Their First 787 Dreamliner on March 25th + Photos of the Interior

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JAL Boeing 787 Dreamliner at Paine Field. Photo by Boeing.

HI RES IMAGE (click for larger). JAL Boeing 787 Dreamliner at Paine Field. Photo by Boeing.

Japan Airlines (JAL) announced today that they plan to take official delivery of their first 787 Dreamliner this Sunday, March 25th, with a delivery ceremony to follow on the 26th. The aircraft is then scheduled to take off from Paine Field at about 4pm local time on Monday to head to Narita in Tokyo with JAL pilots at the controls.

The airline plans to start operating their first Dreamliner on their new Boston to Tokyo route, currently scheduled to start on April 22, 2012. JAL has also announced the intention of starting 787 service between San Diego and Tokyo later in the year.

HI RES IMAGE (click for larger). Executive Class cabin on JAL's first Boeing 787 Dreamliner. Photo by Boeing.

HI RES IMAGE (click for larger). Executive Class cabin on JAL's first Boeing 787 Dreamliner. Photo by Boeing.

JAL becomes the second airline to take delivery of a 787, but this aircraft will represent a few firsts: It will be the first one to be delivered with GEnx engines, the first to be commercially fly a route to the US and the first to be used on a brand new route (ANA’s 787s have replaced other aircraft on routes that already existed).

The first aircraft is configured in a two class layout, with 42 seats in business class and 144 seats in economy.

HI RES IMAGE (click for larger). The economy cabin inside JAL's first Boeing 787 Dreamliner. Photo by Boeing.

HI RES IMAGE (click for larger). The economy cabin inside JAL's first Boeing 787 Dreamliner. Photo by Boeing.

The business (or executive) class seats are in a 2-2-2 layout and provide about 60″ of seat pitch and a bit over 21″ of width. The seat will recline to about 171 degrees. The Economy class is configured in a 2-4-2 layout and will provide 31″ seat pitch and 18.5″ seat width.

HI RES IMAGE (click for larger). JAL's Boeing 787 Dreamliner taking off at Paine Field. Photo by Boeing.

HI RES IMAGE (click for larger). JAL's Boeing 787 Dreamliner taking off at Paine Field. Photo by Boeing.

JAL’s new in-flight entertainment system, called SKY MANGA, will also debut on the aircraft. The interior has a very different looking atmosphere than ANA’s Dreamliner cabin.