A great video by SpeedbirdHD of the cockpit and take off of L/N 55; a United Boeing 787. It was at LAX for some quick work before being ferried back to George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH).
Browsing Tag: Boeing 787 Dreamliner
Boeing 787s on the flight line at Paine Field. Photo by Malcolm Muir.
I am an AvGeek that happens to write for AirlineReporter.com. Now, being a correspondent, I have access to connect with airline and Boeing PR people to get confirmations on things like deliveries, but recently, I tried some old fashion AvGeek-ness to try to find out how many 787s did Boeing really delivered recently.
On Thursday the 20th December I noticed a tweet pop up from @boeingairplanes that sparked my interest:
I had seen the flight line at Everett a bit over the last few weekends and there was a number of 787s all lined up ready to go and I knew that they had been doing plenty of test flights lately to push those 787s out before the end of year break. I decided to dig a bit deeper.
Consulting several sources including Flightaware for both Paine Field & Charleston AFB, where the two 787 factories are located, it was evident that this was entirely possible.
At that first stage only be four deliveries: three from Everett and one from Charleston. Where were those missing two? I was able to track the following deliveries:
- Air India from Charleston to Frankfurt (and then onwards to India)
- LOT from Everett to Warsaw
- Qatar Airways from Everett to Victorville (no doubt for fit out of their Thales IFE system)
- United from Everett to Los Angeles
I was starting to think that the other missing two must have been just financial deliveries. Then, on Friday the 21st another Tweet appeared:
Hmm, I felt it was time to get some official confirmation from Boeing. Scott Lefeber from the Boeing 787 Communications team confirmed via email that a total of 47 787’s had been delivered to date, and that a 787 delivery record had most definitely been broken; The record for the most amount of 787 aircraft ever delivered in one day.
At the time of publishing (I will update the story when I find out), Lefeber is unable to get confirm exactly how many were delivered. In question is a second787 for Qatar that had popped up on Flightaware while we were emailing.
By days end it was evident that a total of seven 787s were being delivered in the span of 36 hours. With the four deliveries listed above there was also:
- A second Qatar Airways from Everett to Victorville
- Japan Airlines from Everett to Tokyo Narita
- All Nippon Airways from Everett to Tokyo Haneda
It was great to see a fantastic accomplishment by the Boeing team with managing to get so many aircraft delivered in such a short time frame. Seven aircraft to six of the eight current operators is a good record. With all the bad press that has come about in the 787 program as of late, it is good to see something positive for once. Just in time for the new year.
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This story written by…Malcolm Muir, Lead Correspondent. Mal is an Australian Avgeek now living and working in Seattle. With a passion for aircraft photography, traveling and the fun that combining the two can bring. Insights into the aviation world with a bit of a perspective thanks to working in the travel industry.@BigMalX | BigMal’s World | Photos |
United Airlines First 787 at Paine Field in Everett. Phone: Mal Muir – Airlinereporter.com
On Tuesday the 4th December 2012, United flight 1146 scheduled from Houston to Newark, diverted to New Orleans due to a mechanical issue. An emergency had been declared during descent and following standard procedure, the flight was to be welcomed by emergency crews upon landing.
As they approached the airport, there was talk between the tower controllers and the crew on board that would indicate they had predicted there might be an electrical problem. Recordings taken from LiveATC (thanks to NYCAviation for the transcript) indicate the crew were forwarding instruction for the ground crews to help them inspect the aircraft upon landing:
UA 1146: If in fact anything’s going on it’ll be the area right behind the wings, the rear of the wings back to the third door on each side.
Tower: Which wing?
UA 1146: Uh, we don’t know. Either one. It might be on either side. But it’s behind the wing where high load electrical stuff is and back to the rear cargo. But we don’t anticipate anything, that’s just where he needs to be.
Tower: Okay.
UA 1146: So following us would be perfect.
The Dreamliner landed safely and all 184 passengers & crew on-board were unharmed. The unexpected arrival marked the first Boeing 787 to land at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport. United re-booked passengers on another aircraft and set out to work with Boeing to investigate the issue.
United Airlines First Boeing 787 on Launch Day at the Boeing Factory in Everett. Phone: Mal Muir airlinereporter.com
United Spokesperson Christen Davis confirms to AirlineReporter.com that the maintenance inspection of the 787 that diverted to New Orleans (N26902 the latest of their their 787s) revealed that one of the six electrical generators on the aircraft failed and that back up systems allowed it to be powered by the remaining five. United will replace the generator, run additional checks and then return the aircraft to service as soon as possible.
United also confirmed that this diversion was unrelated to the latest FAA Airworthiness Directive to all 787 operators that required mandatory inspections to the fuel feed systems. The FAA implemented these mandatory checks this week, which had already been recommended by Boeing. United’s 787s have already undergone the inspections for the fuel systems & Davis confirmed that United would continue to work closely with Boeing and the FAA to determine what went wrong with flight 1146.
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This story written by…Malcolm Muir, Lead Correspondent.Mal is an Australian Avgeek now living and working in Seattle. With a passion for aircraft photography, traveling and the fun that combining the two can bring. Insights into the aviation world with a bit of a perspective thanks to working in the travel industry. |
The wing is astounding on the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. Photo: Malcolm Muir / AirlineReporter.com.
This is the final installment of a multi-part (PART 1 & PART 2) series was written by AirlineReporter.com correspondent Mal Muir on the Qatar Airways Boeing 787 Dreamliner delivery flight (note: Qatar Airways covered Malcolm’s trip to Doha to cover this story).
With the flight now well and truly underway, most of the passengers on board were sleeping, but I remained not able to sleep. This is not because of the 787 Dreamliner; I have a history of not being able to sleep on aircraft. This meant that I had plenty of time to explore the plane, get in some work, have a chance to relax, and still fit in a few movies.
Having the on board Wi-Fi meant that I was able handle all of those emails I had been avoiding. For those on a business trip, Wi-Fi allows you to stay connected to the office and remain productive (maybe that is not always a good thing). It also works out if you are a Twitter fanatic, so you do not feel disconnected from the Twitterverse.
What is better than being on a Boeing 787 Dreamliner? Being able to tell all your friends via the internet while flying at 30,000 feet. Photo: Malcolm Muir / AirlineReporter.com.
The extra-large windows were a godsend for those in the back during the flight. As we passed over Iceland they managed to get 2.5 hours of uninterrupted viewing of the Northern Lights. Unfortunately those of us up the front totally missed out since our windows were blacked out — I guess there are some benefits to flying economy.
When there was no outside light-show, I was able to check out the economy section during flight and tested out the Recaro seats. The Seats in the Economy Cabin were comfortable enough and would be fine for the medium length flights this Aircraft was fitted out for. With a leather cover on the neck rest, they felt luxurious while not being to hard or uncomfortable, as some leather cushions can be. I was also able to see the Social Media Command center set up as Qatar Airways was live tweeting their way across the globe.
The business cabin is prepared to start our way into Doha after a long journey. Photo: Mal Muri / AirlineReporter.com.
Unfortunately I wasn’t able to get any face time with the CEO, Akbar Al Baker, who was on board our flight. He was able to take advantage of the comfy seats and slept most of his way to Doha. I have it say it was surreal seeing the CEO of the airline in the Business Class PJ’s.
As we crossed over Eastern Europe, heading towards Turkey and the Middle East, passengers started to wake up and the cabin crew started serving breakfast with freshly made espresso (not that I hadn’t stopped eating — I had a midnight snack as well).
Flying over Doha — about to land. Photo: Mal Muir / AirlineReporter.com.
As we approached Doha, we prepared for our arrival. The flight was long, but many of us did not want the flight to end. Even though I got no sleep on the 14 hour flight, I felt oddly ready to go. It could have been the adrenaline and excitement, but could also have to do with the Dreamliner itself. The 787 has a new climate control system on board where the cabin is pressurized and humidified at a lower altitude, which allows you to feel more refreshed. I wasn’t fully able to appreciate the difference until my Boeing 777 flight home a few days later (I will be sharing a 787 vs 777 story later).
We started our descent into Doha and as the airport came into view, it was truly a sight to behold. The blue waters of the Gulf, the yellow of the desert and just the small buildings and everything dotting the landscape. It was unlike anything I had ever seen before — and I have seen quite a bit.
Welcome to Doha. Image: Malcolm Muir / AirlineReporter.com.
After we touched down at Doha International Airport we taxied towards the ministerial lounge (currently used for heads of state when they depart and the Amir of Qatar). The taxi ways and other areas of the airport were just full of Qatar Airways and other airport staff, all wanting to welcome the Dreamliner.
Even though we did not get a traditional water cannon salute on arrival, this was still a big deal with over 2 busloads of media waiting for us on arrival with big TV screens to show the aircraft landing. As we disembarked and headed into the lounge area another press conference was underway by the CEO of the airline and the local representative for Boeing.
It was a long, yet fun journey to get to Doha. Photo: Mal Muir / AirlineReporter.com.
Once the press conference was over, the local media were given access to the aircraft while those of us on the flight, were bussed over to the arrivals terminal so that we could clear immigration, customs and get over to our hotel for the evening to get some sleep (at least for those of us who can not sleep well on planes).
The 787 flight was a once in a lifetime experience. It showcased that you can merge cutting edge technologies both in the on board experience and in the hardware of the aircraft itself to bring a truly magnificent piece of aircraft into the sky. I had a few days to explore Doha before my flight home and I look forward to share the rest of my adventures with Qatar Airways in the upcoming weeks.
ALL THE QATAR AIRWAYS BOEING 787 DELIVERY PHOTOS:
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This story written by…Malcolm Muir, Lead Correspondent. Mal is an Australian Avgeek now living and working in Seattle. With a passion for aircraft photography, traveling and the fun that combining the two can bring. Insights into the aviation world with a bit of a perspective thanks to working in the travel industry. |
LOT’s first Boeing 787 Dreamliner (SP-LRA) takes off from Paine Field. Image from LOT.
Sure, we could talk about the massive delays and frustrating development process of the Boeing 787, but that will all soon fade into forgotten history as production ramps up and airlines across the world begin taking delivery of the next generation of passenger aircraft.
LOT Polish Airlines this month became the first European airline to take delivery of a new Dreamliner, with the first one landing at Warsaw’s Chopin Airport on Nov. 15 after a celebration ceremony at Boeing’s plant in Everett the day before.
BONUS: Behind the scenes look at the LOT delivery + interior shots
Marcin Pirog, CEO of LOT said, “This is a historic moment for LOT. I am convinced that the addition of the Dreamliner to the fleet of one of the world’s oldest airlines is a crucial moment that will launch a new era of European aviation. I believe it is also the beginning of an exciting journey for LOT with the most modern passenger airplane in the world.”
Photo taken Air to Air during the aircraft’s first flight. Photo by Boeing.
This delivery is the first of eight Dreamliners that LOT has on order. The cabin is configured with 18 Elite Club seats (Business Class), 21 Premium Club seats (Premium Economy) and 213 seats in Economy Class. Rest assured, only top-notch flight attendants and crew will staff the Dreamliners, making the passenger experience, well, a dream.
LOT’s 787 (SP-LRA) arrives at Warsaw to a water canon salute. Image from LOT.
Want to experience a LOT Dreamliner? The first flight will begin on Dec. 14 from Warsaw to Prague. Flights will operate in the U.S. and Canada to Warsaw beginning Jan. 16 from Chicago, Feb. 1 from Toronto and Feb. 3 from New York City. Over the next eight months, there are more European cities scheduled for Dreamliner short haul flights including Vienna, Munich, Frankfurt, Hanover, Kiev, Budapest and Brussels.
BONUS: Video of LOT’s 787 Dreamliner taking off from Paine Field
Let the new era of aviation in Europe begin!
ADDITIONAL LOT 787 DREAMLINER DELIVERY PHOTOS:
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This story written by…Travis Griffith.Travis is a published author and professional writer who believes in driving fast, flying high and living today like there’s no tomorrow. Automobiles, aviation and travel top the long list of his varied interests.FaceBook | CarGurus | TSGriffith.com |