Etihad Airways (Abu Dhabi) yesterday (December 31) took delivery of its first Boeing 787 Dreamliner. The pictured stretched 787-9 A6-BLA (msn 39646) was handed over to the fast-growing United Arab Emirates carrier. Boeing issued this statement:

Boeing delivered Etihad Airways’ first 787-9 Dreamliner sporting the airline’s new “Facets of Abu Dhabi” livery which was revealed at a ceremony earlier this year. The colors are reminiscent of the desert landscape, inspired by the culture, Islamic design and architecture motifs of the United Arab Emirates.

The airplane is the first of the 71 Dreamliners that the national airline of the United Arab Emirates has on order which includes 41 787-9s and 30 787-10s. Etihad Airways will also be the first airline in the Middle East to operate the 787-9.

The 787-9 can carry 280 passengers 8,300 nautical miles (15,372 kilometers). The 787-10, launched in June 2013 and in development now, will fly 323 passengers up to 7,000 nautical miles (13,000 kilometers), or more than 90 percent of the world’s twin-aisle routes.

As of November 30, 2014, 58 customers have ordered 1,055 787s.

Copyright Photo: Brandon Farris/AirlinersGallery.com. The pictured 787-9 N1009N (msn 39646) became A6-BLA on the hand over.

Etihad Airways aircraft slide show:

http://airlinersgallery.smugmug.com/Airlines-Asia-1/Airlines-Asia1-AE/Etihad-Airways