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Browsing Tag: Boeing 787

Flying on the Boeing 787 Dreamliner for the First Time

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ANA's first 787 Dreamliner (JA801A) sits in the background at their second (JA802A) waits to take us for a ride.

ANA's first 787 Dreamliner (JA801A) sits in the background at their second (JA802A) waits to take us for a ride.

When I first started this blog a little over three years ago, I never thought I would be one of the first people to ever fly on the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. This truly is a dream (liner) come true.

A nice little rainbow surprise when boarding the ANA 787 Dreamliner. This is not a standard lighting configuration, but it sure is groovy.

A nice little rainbow surprise when boarding the ANA 787 Dreamliner. This is not a standard lighting configuration, but it sure is groovy.

Over the years, I have closely followed the 787, through its many ups and downs and I was honored to be invited to Tokyo to take an excursion flight around Japan. The night before the flight I received little sleep and was up at 4 am, like a kid on Christmas.

JA802A is begging to go for a ride.

JA802A is begging to go for a ride.

On Wednesday, October 27th, the 787 Dreamliner (JA801A) had its first revenue flight from Narita International Airport (NRT) to Hong Kong International Airport (HGK), but my experience was a bit different. Our flight was on JA802A, ANA’s second 787, which took off from NRT and experienced a 90 minute excursion, including flying over Mount Fuji — pretty rad.

We are on our way. Even though I did not have a window seat, I could see outside quite well. A Delta Air Lines Boeing 747-400 at Narita can be seen.

We are on our way. Even though I did not have a window seat, I could see outside quite well. A Delta Air Lines Boeing 747-400 at Narita can be seen.

I had been on JA802A just a few weeks prior, while it sat at Paine Field, but this was much different. The energy being on JA802A with “real” passengers, when we are about ready to lift off was palatable. The flight contained some ANA VIP customers, representatives that ANA works closely with, the winners of ANA’s 787 photo contest and only four media representatives.

I was sitting in 9D, which is the inner aisle seat on the left side (SeatGuru.com already has its ANA 787 seating chart up), but I still had ample opportunity to look out the 787’s larger windows.

The plane will filled with a mixture of different people. I had seat 9D, which was the left side aisle seat.

The plane was filled with a mixture of different people. I had seat 9D, which was the left side aisle seat.

“Please be seated, we are about to take off,” never sounded so good. After a short taxi, the Rolls Royce Trent 1000 engines started to spool up and what a glorious sound. Do not worry, it stayed very quiet in the cabin, but you could still enjoy the unique sound that the Dreamliner engines provide.

The 787’s take off was a smooth experience and I didn’t feel pinned to my seat, like on many other aircraft. The sound and ease of take off, felt very similar to the A380 (but the 787 was a bit quicker). As we lifted off, the passengers clapped and cheered — we were off!

This photo does not do the wing justice. The bend is MUCH more impressive in person.

This photo does not do the wing justice. The bend is MUCH more impressive in person.

I was really looking forward  to seeing how the 787’s wing looked from inside the cabin while flying. The good news is it looked as cool as I was hoping; the bad news was the photo does not do it justice. The wing had an unbelievable bow, like I have never seen before. Airlines really should put a sign at the windows over the wings that state, “The wings are supposed to do that.” I can’t wait to see what they look like in turbulence.

I should have drank more water before the flight so I could have tried out the bathroom with a window. Just took photos instead.

I should have drunk more water before the flight so I could have tried out the bathroom with a window. Just took photos instead.

The flight was only 90 minutes and that didn’t leave a heck of a lot of time. I was up and down the aisles taking photos and videos, checking the views outside, the lavatory with a view and playing around with the in-flight entertainment system. I could have been on the plane for ten hours and still wanted more.

Mount Fuji as seen from ANA's second 787 Dreamliner (JA802A)

Mount Fuji as seen from ANA's second 787 Dreamliner (JA802A)

So, the big question is, “Was it what you thought it was going to be?” Yes — the Dreamliner is an incredible aircraft that will evolutionize air travel for many passengers. On paper, I think the Dreamliner will help to revolutionize airline transport due to a large leap in technology, efficiency and cabin comfort, but for most passengers they aren’t going to notice all the changes — but that is not a bad thing.

Sticker on the Dreamliner! Don't worry ANA, I took it down :).

Check the AirlineReporter.com sticker on the Dreamliner! Don't worry ANA, I took it down.

For me and probably for most of you airline fans, the changes will easily be noticed. However, for the average passenger, they will feel the 787 just provided them with a great flight, but might not realize why.  When airlines moved from props to jets, it was quite obvious of large change, but it is not as obvious with the 787 Dreamliner.

Narita International Airport, as seen from the 787 Dreamliner.

Haneda Airport, as seen from the 787 Dreamliner.

All that being said, I firmly believe the 787 Dreamliner will be the new standard in world travel. It is comfortable, quiet and beautiful. I feel that this aircraft will make many frequent fliers change their top airline choices based on the Dreamliner product.

My first flight on the Dreamliner was unreal, but I can’t wait to try one of a real, “normal,” scheduled flight to put it to the real test. It is great to think that in only a few short years, these Dreamliners will be flying all over the world — a world that I am excited to experience.

After landing back at Narita, I really did not want to get off the 787, but they made me.

After landing back at Narita, I really did not want to get off the 787, but they made me.

SEE ALL 44 PHOTOS FROM MY FIRST BOEING 787 DREAMLINER FLIGHT

More Boeing 787 Dreamliner Stuff:
* Interior photo tour of JA802A while at Paine Field
* Jon Ostrower’s photos on his FlightBlogger site
* Photos and story from Ben M on USA Today
* Chris Sloan, Airchive.com/2C Media
* Video and photos from Guy Norris with Aviation Week

UPDATED: Heading to Japan to Fly on the Boeing 787 Dreamliner

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First 787 Delivery on September 27, 2011. Photo by Boeing. Click for larger.

First 787 Delivery on September 27, 2011. Photo by Boeing. Click for larger.

ANA will be operating a special charter flight to Hong Kong on Wednesday the 27th (today local time in Japan). You will find that many of your airline favorites (aka @FlightBlogger, @TodayintheSky, etc) will be on that flight.

I am doing something a little different with also doing a destination piece on Tokyo, so I will be taking the excursion flight on Friday October 28th. This flight will consist of about a 90 minute flight including flying over Mount Fuji. The coverage will start at about 7pm PDT on Thursday October 27th (we are 16 hours ahead in Japan vs Seattle).

I am looking forward to it all!

 

Why Did Boeing Re-Paint Their Third 787? You Tell Me.

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On the left is ZA003 in the old livery and to the left is ZA003 in the new. But why? Both photos from Boeing.

On the right is ZA003 in the old livery and to the left is ZA003 in the new. But why? Both photos from Boeing.

This is the same Boeing 787 Dreamliner (ZA003 / ï»¿ï»¿N787BX), but in two different paint schemes. Previously, there was only one aircraft with the “Dreamliner livery’ — ZA001. All the rest were painted either in a “light”  or ANA livery. Then a few days ago, Boeing unveiled ZA003 in and updated “Dreamliner livery,” but why? I am not exactly sure and Boeing is not currently saying.

ZA003 taking off at Boeing Field (BFI). Photo by Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren.

ZA003, in its new livery, landing at Boeing Field (BFI). Photo by Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren.

It is possible that Boeing will use ZA003 to promote the 787 around the world. I thought maybe they were using ZA003 at the Seoul Air Show, but ZA001 arrived instead. According to Boeing’s Flickr page: “ZA003, the third 787 Dreamliner built by Boeing, just got a new paint job. We’ve got big plans for this airplane. It’s too early to provide details, but stay tuned for more info in the coming weeks.” That does not really give any clues.

ZA003 at Boeing Field (BFI). Photo by Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren.

ZA003 at Boeing Field (BFI). Photo by Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren.

So what do you think? Why did Boeing spend the money to paint over a perfectly good paint scheme? I am sure they must have a plan.

Thanks to Jeremy for sharing his photos.

High Resolution Photos of United Airline’s First Boeing 787 Dreamliner Rolling Out of the Factory

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United's first Boeing 787 Dreamliner is pulled out of the factory. Image from Boeing. Click for Larger.

United's first Boeing 787 Dreamliner is pulled out of the factory. Image from Boeing. Click for Larger.

Wednesday night, Boeing pulled out United Airline’s first 787 Dreamliner from the factory and off the final assembly line. The first 787 Dreamliner has already been delivered to the launch customer, ANA, but United will be the first North American airline to take delivery of the new aircraft.  From United’s press release: “While in final assembly, the aircraft moved through four factory positions, including the final aircraft body join, landing gear installation, weight-on-wheels testing and installation of interior components and systems. Over the next several months, the aircraft will move to the next phase of completion, which includes final cabin configuration, installation of engines and painting.”

United's first Boeing 787 Dreamliner gets pulled in front of the factory located in Everett, WA. Photo by Boeing. Click for larger.

United's first Boeing 787 Dreamliner gets pulled in front of the factory located in Everett, WA. Photo by Boeing. Click for larger.

United will configure their first 787 with 36 seats in BusinessFirst, 63 seats in Economy Plus and 120 seats in Economy. There was some speculation if United might be offering a special livery, but I doubt it. When I was on the factory floor recently, the tail was definitely a solid blue, which matches United’s current “new” livery. With United recently switching their brand over from the tulip to the globe, it wouldn’t really make sense for them to also introduce a special livery. Normally I am all for any livery that spices things up, but at this stage it would just cause brand confusion.

Nose show of United Airline's first Boeing 787 Dreamliner outside the factory at Paine Field.

Nose show of United Airline's first Boeing 787 Dreamliner outside the factory at Paine Field. Photo by Boeing. Click for larger.

Although the exact date of delivery is unknown, United told AirlineReporter.com that they expect to get their first 787 during the, “second half of 2012.” It will be the first of 50 that the airline has on order.

Photo Tour of ANA’s Second Boeing 787 Dreamliner – JA802A

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During ANA’s delivery events, media was invited to take a tour of JA802A, the second 787 Dreamliner that will be delivered to ANA. Here are some of the photos:

JA802A sitting on the tarmac at Paine Field in Everett, WA. It has the same special 787 livery as the first 787 for ANA, JA801A.

JA802A sitting on the tarmac at Paine Field in Everett, WA. It has the same special 787 livery as the first 787 for ANA, JA801A.

The best seats in the house. This is the cockpit of the 787 with large "glass" screen. Who wants to go for a ride?

The best seats in the house. This is the cockpit of the 787 with large "glass" screen. Who wants to go for a ride?

The Boeing flight line from the flight deck window of the 787 Dreamliner. Next door is Lufthansa's first Boeing 747-8 Intercontinental.

The Boeing flight line from the flight deck window of the 787 Dreamliner. Next door is Lufthansa's first Boeing 747-8 Intercontinental.

The inside of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner feels roomy and provides a lot of natural light. All the windows were set by the master controls for a partial tint.

The inside of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner feels roomy and provides a lot of natural light. All the windows were set by the master controls for a partial tint.

Each window has five different tint settings. These windows show three of the settings. Even with the darkest setting, you can still see outside.

Each window has five different tint settings. These windows show three of the settings. Even with the darkest setting, you can still see outside.

VIEW ALL 27 PHOTOS OF ANA’S SECOND 787, JA802A