Dreamliner takes to skies on maiden commercial flight

[straitman]

The 787 enters Commercial service at last.


Dreamliner takes to skies on maiden commercial flight

All Nippon Airways (ANA) has launched the first commercial flight of the Boeing Dreamliner, carrying passengers from Tokyo to Hong Kong.

The launch follows over three years of delays during the development of the new aircraft.

Originally scheduled for delivery in 2008, the project was struck by a series of delays including an onboard fire during test flights. However, the American aviation giant is hoping a successful launch for the new plane will dampen concerns.

The twin-aisle, mid-size plane features the largest windows of any commercial aircraft in operation, with higher cabin humidity and cleaner air, claimed Boeing.​

 

[straitman]

Another article:

The Dreamliner era begins

HONG KONG -- All Nippon Airways made aviation history today by flying the Boeing 787 Dreamliner on its first-ever flight with paying passengers.

ANA Flight 7871 departed Tokyo at 12:23 p.m. local time today, landing in Hong Kong about 4 hours later. The flight was feted by inaugural ceremonies in both cities, including a "dragon dance" performance upon landing in Hong Kong.

ALSO ONLINE: Boeing 787's inaugural flight lands in Hong Kong (AP)

IN-DEPTH: Revolutionary new Boeing Dreamliner takes off

ANA CEO Shinichiro Ito was among the roughly 240 passengers on the flight, and he walked back the aisles to personally thank some of those on board for their business.

However, getting on board Flight 7871 was easier said than done.

PHOTO GALLERY: Boeing finally delivers first 787 Dreamliner

PHOTO GALLERY: ANA celebrates 25 years of U.S. flights

More than 25,000 people applyied for the 100 seats ANA opened to the public. Another six business class seats were auctioned off for charity, with one bidder paying more than $33,000 to secure a seat on the flight.

 

[straitman]

ANA Inaugurates Boeing 787 Commercial Service

Oct 26, 2011

By Guy Norris [email protected] Narita, Japan

All Nippon Airways (ANA) kicked off Boeing 787 commercial services today with a special charter flight from Narita Airport to Hong Kong. The 4-hr., 10-min. flight, carrying more than 240 passengers, comes 7.5 years after ANA placed the launch order for the 787 in April 2004 and marks the aircraft’s long-awaited commercial debut. Despite coming three years and four months later than originally planned, ANA President and CEO Shinichiro Ito says the 787 will spearhead the carrier’s “strategic goal of becoming Asia’s No. 1 airline. We have been through hard times with its development, but we believe ANA has acquired a great instrument for growth. “Today, we finally launch the world’s first commercial flight of the 787 Dreamliner,” says Ito. Describing the event as “the long-awaited day,” he adds, “we decided on Hong Kong as the destination for our charter flight as the best way of demonstrating the aircraft’s comfort and amenities.” He asserts that the aircraft will be a “game-changer. For Asia, we are convinced this aircraft will become the mainstay of our fleet.” Commenting on upcoming deliveries, Ito says ANA expects to receive another five 787s by year-end, bringing its initial fleet to seven. By the end of March 2012, the airline’s 787 fleet will grow to 11 and by March 2013, to 20.

 

[simongr]

Great news for Boeing, the 787 program and all of the airlines waiting for this. Let's hope some of the problems that plagued the roll out of the A380 don't plague the 787 (such as rusty fuel tanks that were made years before the aircraft were ready for them).

I know I will have to wait to fly in one of these but even I might be tempted by a window seat...

 

[codash1099]

Good to see (at last). However it's going to be painful at Boeing for a while:

Boeing sets 787 break-even at 1,100 units

 

[simongr]

At two per month that is 550 months - something screwy with stats somewhere...

 

[oz_mark]

At two per month that is 550 months - something screwy with stats somewhere...

Not sure what production rate will increase to, but suffice it to say it will be a number bigger than 2 a month :shock:

 

[NM]

At two per month that is 550 months - something screwy with stats somewhere...

Isn't the target 10/month by 2014? But some experts are questioning if that rate os going to be reached.

 

[Flying Fox]

Good to see (at last). However it's going to be painful at Boeing for a while:

Boeing sets 787 break-even at 1,100 units

Ouch, the financial pain is huge at 1100 units.

Reminds me of all the articles about the A380 having to crack 450+ units to break even.

So let the arguments begin about which is/will be the more commercially successful aircraft program....

 

[harvyk]

Isn't the target 10/month by 2014? But some experts are questioning if that rate os going to be reached.

At 10 a month it will still take 4 and a half years to recover the costs.

Better than 2 a month however, I don't think airlines are quite considering what planes they will be operating in year 2056 just yet...
I'm looking forwards to going on one, but I'm still not convinced I'll consider it anything more than a 767 replacement.

 

[NM]

At 10 a month it will still take 4 and a half years to recover the costs.

Better than 2 a month however, I don't think airlines are quite considering what planes they will be operating in year 2056 just yet...
I'm looking forwards to going on one, but I'm still not convinced I'll consider it anything more than a 767 replacement.

Yep, it was always going to be a long pay-back period. 4.5 years would be short! The ramp up to 10/month will be at least 3 years (likely more) so the return won't be for many more. But if they are still building them in 15-20 years time, even later variants, then its potentially a very good investment. How long have they been making 737, 767, 747 aircraft? And even the 777 has been around for a good number of years now. The later variants have much lower investment costs and can help to offset the initial investment.

 

[chevyrecycler34]

Guessing this is all things dreamliner.
Is it me or does the wing flex on the Dreamliner seem somewhat extreme ?
Is it the use of composites that allow such a seemingly large amount of radial movement ?
Theres currently a Thomson Holidays ad running in the UK where the plane is presumably taking off and moving away from camera and already the wings are "flapping".
I`ve noticed this in other still and video shots of the plane going up and coming down.
Ok all plane wings flex to a degree and we`ve mostly I presume seen the A-380 test programme where the wings and most everything else is/are tested thru an enhanced life cycle but to my old eyes the amount that the DL wings rotate doesnt either look right nor safe, but..............................is it just me ?

 

[markis10]

Welcome to AFF, wing flex is nothing new, have you seen a star lifter take off?

 

[froggerADL]

Does anyone know how many 787s are in sevice now, almost one year on from the first one?

 

[Sprucegoose]

List of Boeing 787 orders and deliveries - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[Globetrotter]

List of Boeing 787 orders and deliveries - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I wonder what the deciding factor is for airlines when choosing whether to go with RR or GE engines.