First North American airline takes delivery of a Dreamliner

To contact us Click HERE
United Airlines, the first airline to operate the 767 and 777, has becomethe first North American airline to take delivery of a 787 Dreamliner.

United's 787 Dreamliner on the ramp at Boeing Field, Seattle

The Chicago-based carrier closed the deal Sept. 22 and will fly theDreamliner from Boeing Field (BFI) in Seattle tothe airline's hub at Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) for amonth-long training and certification process before placing it into passengerservice.

The aircraft is the 24^th Dreamliner Boeing has delivered to date,and is the first of five new Dreamliners United expects to receive this year,according to its news release announcing the transaction.

The first Dreamliner will begin flying between IAH and other United hubs includingSan Francisco (SFO), Los Angeles (LAX), Chicago’s O’Hare (ORD), and Newark(EWR).

United had previously said the airliner would enter service as soon asthe training and certification process was complete. It has since firmed upplans for its inaugural commercial flight to depart IAH for ORD at 7:25 a.m.Sunday, Nov. 4.

United’s next three Dreamliners, to be delivered by the end of November,will begin serving additional domestic routes, while the 5^thDreamliner is scheduled to begin international flights on Dec. 4.

According to Boeing data, half the Dreamliners United has ordered will beequipped with Rolls Royce Trent 100 engines, while the other half will beequipped with General Electric GEnx engines. United’s first Dreamliner has theGE engines.

The plane is configured with 36 seats in Business/First, 70 seats in EconomyPlus®, and 113 seats in Economy.

United's Dreamliner being fueled at BFI

As I’ve mentioned in previous blog posts, writers have waxed rhapsodic aboutthe innovations the plane employs, and how riding in it will be a new type of passenger experience. A quieterinterior, improved interior lighting, windows that are 30% larger than othercommercial aircraft, an improved cabin ventilation system, and a lower cabinpressure altitude will all combine to provide passengers will a lessstressful, more comfortable travel experience.

"We are excited for our customers and co-workers to experience thisgame-changing aircraft," Jeff Smisek, United’s president and CEO, said ina statement.

Photo credit: Carl Dombek
Click on photo to view larger images