Air New Zealand flight crew aboard a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner mock-up – Photo: Air New Zealand
Air New Zealand has been very patient, waiting for delivery of the very first Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, the stretched version of the currently-flying 787-8. We have been watching closely as the first 787-9 rolled out of paint and then took its maiden flight. The airline still has a while until they take delivery sometime in the middle of 2014, but they are starting to get excited and want to share it with the world.
As of now, Air New Zealand is rolling out some of the details of their Dreamliner interior, as well as what routes the new aircraft will fly.
Boeing shared this photo of the 787-9 flying over Mt. Rainier.
Here is a photo of the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner flying over Mount Rainier during its first flight earlier today. Nuff said.
SEE MORE PHOTOS OF THE 787-9 FIRST FLIGHT
The first Boeing 787-9 conducts taxi tests at Paine Field earlier today. Image: Sandy Ward / Future of Flight.
Boeing has confirmed tonight that the first Boeing 787-9 flight is scheduled to take place tomorrow, Tuesday September 16th.
As of now, the first flight is scheduled for 10:00am PDT, of course the time and even the date could change based on a number of different circumstances.
Earlier today, Boeing conducted taxi tests in the Seattle rain.
Be sure to follow us on Twitter (@AirlineReporter) for all the first flight goodness.
BOEING 787-9 TAXI PHOTOS AND VIDEO
Aerial shot of the first Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner (ZB001) Photo: Bernie Leighton/AirlineReporter.com
Did you just read a story about Bombardier’s first CSeries first flight potentially happening on Monday, only to find out the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner’s first flight could be as early as Tuesday, September 17th? Why yes you did. Boeing announced this week that their first 787-9 could possibly have its maiden flight at Paine Field early next week.
Yes AvGeeks, this is going to be a good week for all of us!
The first Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner (ZB001) on the flight line at Paine Field (KPAE). Photo by Bernie Leighton.
Yesterday, I was airborne over Paine Field again to capture Boeing’s gorgeous new 787. The 787-9. This aircraft will not only carry more passengers than its shorter sibling, but also offers a higher take-off weight. This will allow customers who use this frame to open routes that were never possible with current aircraft.
Although this is the first Boeing 787-9 to come out of the factory, it will not be the first to be delivered to launch customer Air New Zealand. This frame (ZB001), along with the next two that will come out of the factory, will be dedicated test aircraft. They will, however, be refurbished and make their way to Air New Zealand as ZK’s NZC and D by the end of next year.
With the first engine-run occurring earlier this morning, Boeing is hoping that the first flight will occur, “later this summer.” Afterwards, Boeing will conduct a number of different flight tests to earn airworthiness certification from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
