Air New Zealand to launch first route for Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner
November 11, 2013 -- Updated 0751 GMT (1551 HKT)
The latest Boeing Dreamliner - the 787-9 model - appears in launch customer Air New Zealand's new livery. The airline will take delivery of the aircraft in October 2014 for use on flights initially between Auckland and Perth and then between Auckland and Tokyo and Auckland and Shanghai.
Boeing's 787-9 Dreamliner took off on its maiden voyage on Tuesday, September 17. The 787-9 is 20 feet longer and holds 40 more passengers than the 787-8, which carries between 210 and 250 passengers.
Boeing's 787-9 Dreamliner took off on its maiden voyage on Tuesday, September 17. The 787-9 is 20 feet longer and holds 40 more passengers than the 787-8, which carries between 210 and 250 passengers.
Besides carrying more passengers, the new version of the Dreamliner also can carry more cargo and fly further.
Besides carrying more passengers, the new version of the Dreamliner also can carry more cargo and fly further.
Boeing began final assembly of the first 787-9 Dreamliner on May 30 in Everett, Washington, when employees began joining large sections of the aircraft together.
Boeing began final assembly of the first 787-9 Dreamliner on May 30 in Everett, Washington, when employees began joining large sections of the aircraft together.
The Dreamliner 787-8 got off to a rough start. Just more than a year after its first commercial flight, the aircraft was grounded after batteries overheated on two flights. Earlier this year, this All Nippon Airways 787 made an emergency landing because of battery troubles. Aviation safety regulators have approved Boeing's battery fixes and Dreamliners have started to fly again.
The Dreamliner 787-8 got off to a rough start. Just more than a year after its first commercial flight, the aircraft was grounded after batteries overheated on two flights. Earlier this year, this All Nippon Airways 787 made an emergency landing because of battery troubles. Aviation safety regulators have approved Boeing's battery fixes and Dreamliners have started to fly again.
A LOT Polish Airlines 787, with a redesigned lithium-ion battery system, performs a test flight in March at Paine Field in Everett, Washington. The Dreamliner's distinctive wings sweep back at 32 degrees.
A LOT Polish Airlines 787, with a redesigned lithium-ion battery system, performs a test flight in March at Paine Field in Everett, Washington. The Dreamliner's distinctive wings sweep back at 32 degrees.
The use of composite materials on the Dreamliner makes larger window cutouts possible. Composites have replaced aluminum as the predominant material in the 787. The 777 is made up of 50% aluminum and 12% composites, compared with the Dreamliner's nearly 50% makeup of composites and just 20% aluminum.
The use of composite materials on the Dreamliner makes larger window cutouts possible. Composites have replaced aluminum as the predominant material in the 787. The 777 is made up of 50% aluminum and 12% composites, compared with the Dreamliner's nearly 50% makeup of composites and just 20% aluminum.
Pilots training to fly the Boeing Dreamliner will train on one of two 787 full-flight simulators, like the one shown here, at the company's training center in Miami. Capt. Gary Lee Beard is shown demonstrating one of the simulators on August 29 in Miami.
Pilots training to fly the Boeing Dreamliner will train on one of two 787 full-flight simulators, like the one shown here, at the company's training center in Miami. Capt. Gary Lee Beard is shown demonstrating one of the simulators on August 29 in Miami.
Air India's 787-8 Dreamliner got a water cannon salute as Australia's first Dreamliner passenger flight landed in Sydney on August 30.
Air India's 787-8 Dreamliner got a water cannon salute as Australia's first Dreamliner passenger flight landed in Sydney on August 30.
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The latest Dreamliner's debut
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As the latest Dreamliner's first customer, Air New Zealand will be flying the launch aircraft from Auckland, where the airline is based, to Perth, in Western Australia starting in October 2014.
A cabin mock-up was revealed as part of the announcement at the opening of the airline's Customer Innovation and Collaboration Centre in Auckland.
The business premier cabin will have 18 lie-flat seats.
Latest features
The launch aircraft will offer 302 seats total, with the business premier cabin housing 18 lie-flat seats, a premium economy cabin with 21 seats and two economy cabins with 263 seats total.
The plane will also have 14 Skycouch rows -- a design unique to the Kiwi airline that turns a row of three economy seats into a three-seater "couch."
New features also include a slimmer seat back due to more compact inflight entertainment monitors, allowing more personal space for the passenger.
Following the Auckland-Perth route, Air New Zealand will be flying its fleet of 10 787-9 aircraft on Auckland-Tokyo and Auckland-Shanghai routes.
More on the Dreamliner
The 787-9 is a bigger version of its predecessor, the 787-8. Able to hold 40 more passengers, the 20-foot-longer Dreamliner also has a greater range of 8,000-8,500 nautical miles, compared to the 787-8's range of 7,650-8,200.
Marketed for its fuel efficiency -- it uses 20% less fuel than other aircraft of its size -- the new plane also offers lower seat-mile costs (the cost to fly a single seat one mile).
So far, orders for the 787-9 have accounted for 40% of all 787 orders, with 26 customers ordering 396 aircraft.
Boeing announced on Thursday that the second 787-9 aircraft had completed its first flight from Everett, Washington to Seattle.
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