The first Boeing 787-9 moves to the flight-line at Paine Field. Image: Boeing
Previously, we have seen photos of the first Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner (ZB001) taken while dark out, but now we get to see the aircraft in the light of day.
Yesterday, the first 787-9 Dreamliner rolled out of the factory and was towed to the flight line, where Boeing will prepare the aircraft for its first flight later this summer. After the test flights are completed, the first 787-9 is expected to be delivered to Air New Zealand by mid-2014.
Jetstar’s first Boeing 787 Dreamliner (VH-VKA) sits at Paine Field earlier today. Photo by Bernie Leighton.
Last weekend, the first of 14 Boeing 787 Dreamliners for the Qantas Group rolled out of the paint hangar at Paine Field. This aircraft will be heading to Jetstar Airways, a Qantas-offshoot low cost carrier (LCC). The delivery will be significant, since as of now Jetstar operates an all-Airbus fleet.
Jetstar currently operates the A320-family on short-haul routes around Australia, the South Pacific, and Asia, while running larger A330-200s on long-haul routes from Australia to Asia & Hawaii. The A330s are a mix of new aircraft and ex-Qantas birds. As the airline receives new 787s, they plan to transition their newer A330s into the legacy Qantas fleet.
Despite this being the first for Jetstar, Boeing has delivered over 100 aircraft to the Qantas Group, ranging from the original 707 up to the 747-400ER (of which they are the only operator of the passenger variant).
The HFF DC3 – Photo: Mal Muir | AirlineReporter.com
Paine Field (KPAE) in Everett, WA is home to a variety of both modern and vintage aircraft. Though brand spanking new Boeing planes are built there and delivered to around the world, the vintage aircraft hopefully come to stay around for a while.
At the Historic Flight Foundation (HFF) there are some glorious classic aircraft that have been painstakingly restored and are much loved by not only their owner, but also the volunteers who look after them. One such recent arrival joining the collection is a beautifully restored Douglas DC-3, in Pan American Airways [PanAm] livery, that has a checkered past. I was recently invited to check out the aircraft and was able to learn a bit more about its history.
Aeromexico’s first 787 Dreamliner [N961AM] returning to the Boeing Flight Line at Everett after it’s first flight – Photo: Mal Muir | AirlineReporter.com
Aeromexico’s first 787 Dreamliner [ZA561] took to the skies yesterday and I was happy to get the arrival back into Paine Field, after the aircraft’s first flight. Skyteam’s 2nd 787 [China Southern is the other] is now up and airborne — who is next?
A Dreamlifter (N7808A) lands at Paine Field with an Antonov AN-124 on the ground. Photo by Malcolm Muir.
This Saturday, before Paine Field Aviation Day started, a Boeing 747 Dreamlifter lands while an Antonov AN-124 sits on the taxiway. Yes please.
