ANA (All Nippon Airways) (Tokyo) announced that it will launch scheduled services to three domestic Japanese destinations using the latest stretched version of the Boeing Dreamliner, the 787-9, from August 7. The plane, in 395-seat configuration, will be introduced progressively on routes between Tokyo’s Haneda Airport and Fukuoka, Osaka (Itami) and Matsuyama as ANA becomes the first airline in the world to operate the scheduled flight of 787-9.

In addition to the first 787-9 going into service in August, ANA is scheduled to take delivery of a further two aircraft in the fiscal year ending March 2015. For the launch of international services, ANA has opted for the 215-seat version of the long-range aircraft – 46 seats more than the existing Boeing 787-8 currently used on international long-haul routes.

The 787-9 is engineered for greater fuel economy than 787-8, while also ensuring approximately 20% more seating and cargo capacity and will help ANA achieve expansion into new markets.

ANA will focus on utilizing the 395-seat version of the 787-9 on major domestic routes to maximize passenger numbers, while also lowering operational costs.

On ANA’s international network, the plan is to utilize the 787-9 to increase capacity on some long-haul routes to Europe, North America and other key destinations which are at present served by the smaller 787-8 or to replace larger aircraft currently operating the routes. This will help ANA to maximize commercial returns, stabilize operating costs and enhance its ability to win more passengers and bigger cargo demand.

ANA is determined to take maximum advantage of the competitive edge provided by the outstanding fuel efficiency of the Boeing 787 to accelerate its growth and make the airline stronger.

Boeing 787-9 Schedules:

Update: As planned, on August 4, ANA operated the world’s first passenger Boeing 787-9 flight when the pictured JA830A flew a sightseeing trip from Tokyo (Haneda) and with 171 Japanese and American elementary school students residing in Japan as part of the TOMODACHI Initiative.

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Update: ANA became the first airline in the world to place the Boeing 787-9 into scheduled revenue service on August 7. Boeing 787-9 JA830A, their first of the stretched Dreamliner, inaugurated operations on the Tokyo (Haneda) – Fukuoka route according to ZipanguFlyer.

Read the full story from ZipanguFlyer: CLICK HERE

Copyright Photo; Steve Bailey/AirlinersGallery.com. The first Boeing 787-9 for ANA (JA830A).

ANA: