United Airlines (Chicago) is planning to introduce the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner on the Houston (Bush Intercontinental) – Sao Paulo (Guarulhos) route in April. The 787 will operate daily on the route starting on April 7 per Airline Route.
Copyright Photo: Antony J. Best/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner N20904 (msn 34824) departs the runway at London’s Heathrow Airport.
United Airlines aircraft slide show (current livery):
United Airlines (Chicago) is planning to introduce the new Boeing 787-8 on the Seattle/Tacoma-Tokyo (Narita) route on November 5, replacing the Boeing 777-200 ER currently operating on the route according to Airline Route. ANA also operates the 787 on the same route.
In other news, United is dropping the Newark-Buenos Aires route on September 29 per Airline Route. In addition, the Newark-Istanbul will be cancelled on October 26, 2013 (probably for the winter season).
Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing/AirlinersGallery.com.ย Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner N20904 (msn 34824) climbs away from the runway at Los Angeles International Airport.
United Airlines:ย 
United Airlines (Chicago) is now planning to resume Boeing 787-8 scheduled passenger operations on May 20 between Houston (Bush Intercontinental) and Chicago (O’Hare) as flight UA 1. Houston-Denver flight start on the following day. United is first re-introducing the grounded type on its relatively short domestic flights as the first phase of the resumption before it restores longer international routes.
Boeing has already converted two of United’s six Dreamliners to the new FAA standards and will soon convert the remainder of United’s fleet. The airline has scheduled flights to begin on May 20 on routes from Houston to other domestic hubs. United will begin international 787 flying on the Denver-Tokyo route on June 10.
Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing.ย Boeing 787-8 N20904 (msn 34824) departs from Los Angeles International Airport.
United Airlines:ย 
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) (Washington) and Boeing (Chicago) are apparently at odds from a recent briefing on the 787 in Tokyo over some comments that were reportedly made by Boeing officials according to this report by the Seattle Times.
Read the full report: CLICK HERE
Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing. All of the 787s are grounded except limited test aircraft. United’s 787-8 N20904 (msn 34824) is pictured at Los Angeles before the official grounding.
United Airlines (Chicago) today (January 3) will introduce daily nonstop Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner service between its hub at Los Angeles International Airport and its hub at Tokyo Narita International Airport. The service โ previously operated with a Boeing 777 aircraft โ is the first regularly-scheduled international route operated using United’s new 787 Dreamliner.
The flight, UA 32, will depart Los Angeles at 11:15 a.m. (1115), arriving in Tokyo Narita at 4:10 p.m. (1610) the next day. The return flight, UA 33, will depart Tokyo Narita daily at 5:55 p.m. (1755), arriving in Los Angeles at 10:35 a.m. (1035) the same day.
United’s 787 Dreamliner is configured with 36 seats in United BusinessFirst, 70 seats in United Economy Plus and 113 seats in United Economy. The aircraft will revolutionize the flying experience for United customers and crews while delivering unprecedented operating efficiency, comfort and lower emissions. Customers on the flights will experience greater comfort with improved lighting, bigger windows, larger overhead bins, lower cabin altitude and enhanced ventilation systems, among other passenger-friendly features.
Yesterday (January 2) LAN Airlines (Santiago) introduced the Boeing 787-8 on the Santiago-Los Angeles route.
Copyright Photo: United Airlines. The first, Boeing 787-8 N20904 (msn 34824) poses for publicity photos.
United Airlines:ย 
Federal Aviation Administration-FAA (Washington) is issuing a formal order requiring U.S. airlines to inspect the fuel systems of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner according to this report by Reuters.
The fuel issue emerged on Tuesday (December 4) when a United Airlines Boeing 787-8 aircraft with 184 passengers and crew on board was forced to make an emergency landing in New Orleans due to an electrical problem. The aircraft was flying from Houston (Bush Intercontinental) to Newark.
United Airlines (Chicago) is currently the only Dreamliner operator in the United States.
Read the full report: CLICK HERE
Read about the United incident from the Post-Tribune: CLICK HERE
Copyright Photo: Nick Dean. Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner N20904 (msn 34824) is pictured at Paine Field near Everett.
United Airlines:ย 
United Airlines (Chicago) today announced that the company has successfully completed the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification process for its 787 Dreamliner. United can now begin flying the Dreamliner for passenger service, beginning with its inaugural 787 commercial flight departing Houston (Bush Intercontinental) for Chicago (O’Hare) November 4 at 7:20 a.m. CST.
United’s first Dreamliner arrived in Houston on September 28 to begin a month-long certification program that included non-commercial flights to several of United’s domestic and international stations, totaling more than 100 flight hours. During this time, the aircraft underwent a series of test scenarios, including diversions and simulated mechanical issues, in thorough preparation for service.
United has received two of the 50 Dreamliners it has on order. Configured with 36 seats in United BusinessFirst, 70 seats in United Economy Plus and 113 seats in United Economy, the Dreamliner will revolutionize the flying experience for United customers and crews while delivering unprecedented operating efficiency, comfort and lower emissions. Customers will experience greater comfort with improved lighting, bigger windows, larger overhead bins, lower cabin altitude and enhanced ventilation systems, among other passenger-friendly features.
United 787 Virtual Tour
A virtual tour of United’s Dreamliner is now available through the United Hub atย unitedhub.comย and on the media center at unitedcontinentalholdings.com. The virtual tour provides a detailed look at the aircraft’s unique characteristics through a variety of animated, interactive features. The tour enables viewers to sample the Dreamliner’s United BusinessFirst seats, electrochromatic window shades, six styles of LED cabin lighting and more. The virtual tour also includes segments on the 787’s state-of-the-art flight deck, crew rest areas and lavatories, as well as information about the Dreamliner’s General Electric GEnx engines, wing technology and cargo capabilities. A “facts & figures” section of the tour offers a series of graphics that illustrate the Dreamliner’s capabilities and specifications.
Copyright Photo: United’s first Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, the pictured N20904 (msn 34824) climbs away from Everett (Paine Field).
United Airlines:ย 
United Airlines (Chicago) and Boeing (Chicago) announced today (September 24) the delivery of the airline’s first 787-8 Dreamliner.ย United is the first airline in North America to take delivery of the 787.
United has announced it will initially use the 787 on international routes to Africa, Asia and Europe. The airline will conduct temporary domestic flights before transitioning its 787 fleet to international service in late 2012.
Made from composite materials, the Boeing 787 Dreamliner is the first mid-size airplane capable of flying long-range routes and will allow airlines to open new, non-stop routes preferred by the traveling public. In addition to providing airlines with unprecedented fuel economy and low operating costs, the 787 features a host of new technologies that greatly enhance the passenger experience.
This delivery marks the first of 50 Dreamliners that United has on order. The airline’s 787 cabin is configured with 36 seats in United BusinessFirst, 72 seats in United Economy Plus and 111 seats in United Economy. Customers will be more comfortable with improved lighting, bigger windows, larger overhead bins, lower cabin altitude and enhanced ventilation systems, among otherย features.
United’s first Dreamliner is expected to arrive in Houstonย later this weekย to begin a month-long training and certification program including non-commercial flights to each of United’s domestic hubs.
Copyright Photo: Nick Dean. Boeing 787-8 N20904 (msn 34824) is pictured at Everett (Paine Field) prior to the official handover.
For an insider’s view of N20904 read Jay Selman’s Guest Editor column: CLICK HERE
United Airlines:ย 
Video:
United Airlines (Chicago) has announced plans to fly its new Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft on domestic routes starting in November as it prepares to begin previously-announced international service in December and January.
United expects to take delivery of the first five new Dreamliners this year from its total order for 50 of these aircraft.ย As the initial aircraft are inducted into the fleet, they will be based at United’s Houston hub and will enter into service according to the following schedule:
| Late September | 1stย 787 delivery |
| October | Proving/validation flights and training activities that allow United to meet FAA certification requirements and prepare United to become the first North American operator for this new aircraft type. 2ndย 787 delivery. |
| November | Scheduled commercial flights from Houston to other U.S. hubs.ย 3rdย and 4thย 787 deliveries expected. |
| December | Scheduled commercial flights from Houston to other U.S. hubs.ย 5thย 787 delivery expected. First international service Dec. 4. |
| January | Commencement of scheduled commercial flights on additional international routesย as announced on Aug. 23. |
United will phase in scheduled 787-8 service between Houston and each of its other domestic hubs beginning on November 4, 2012 as shown below. This schedule allows United’s 787s to operate more thanย 470ย flight segments in the U.S. in the last two months of 2012 in addition to international flights beginning in early December:
| Route | Flight times | Effective Date | End Date | Frequency |
| IAH-SFO-IAH | 5:45 p.m. westbound
12:15 a.m. eastbound |
Nov. 4, 2012 | Dec. 2, 2012 | 5 x weekly |
| IAH-LAX-IAH | 3:30 p.m. westbound 6:25 p.m. eastbound |
Nov. 4, 2012 | Dec. 3, 2012 | 6 x weekly |
| IAH-ORD-IAH | 7:25 a.m. northbound
11:15 a.m. southbound |
Nov. 4, 2012 | Dec. 3, 2012 | 6 x weekly |
| IAH-EWR-IAH | 8 a.m. northbound
3:30 p.m. southbound |
Nov. 4, 2012 | Jan. 3, 2013 | Daily, except Nov. 18 |
| IAH-CLE-IAH | 7 a.m. northbound 4 p.m. southbound |
Nov. 10, 2012 | Nov. 10, 2012 | One-day service |
| IAH-IAD-IAH | 7 a.m. northbound 3:50 p.m. southbound |
Nov. 17, 2012 | Nov. 17, 2012 | One-day service |
| IAH-SFO-IAH | 5:45 p.m. westbound
12:15 a.m. eastbound |
Dec. 3, 2012 | Jan. 3, 2013 | Daily |
| IAH-LAX-IAH | 3:30 p.m. westbound 6:25 p.m. eastbound |
Dec. 4, 2012 | Jan. 3, 2013 | Daily |
| IAH-DEN-IAH | 7:20 a.m. westbound 10:15 a.m. eastbound |
Dec. 5, 2012 | Jan. 2, 2013 | Daily |
| IAH-LAX-IAH | 7:35 a.m. westbound 12:30 p.m. eastbound |
Jan. 3, 2013 | March 31, 2013 | Daily |
| IAH-ORD-IAH | 7:25 a.m. northbound
11:15 a.m. southbound |
Jan. 4, 2013 | March 29, 2013 | Daily |
| IAH-DEN-IAH | 9:15 a.m. westbound 2:15 p.m. eastbound |
March 31, 2013 | Open | Daily |
Note: Timing may vary slightly depending on day of the week.ย Schedules are subject to change.
The 787-8 aircraft will display for sale for these domestic routes on united.com and other distribution channels beginning September 1. In October, United will announce plans for the official first commercial 787 flights, which are expected to occur prior to November 4 but only after proving/validation flights and training are complete.
Copyright Photo: Jay Selman. Boeing 787-8 N20904 (msn 34824) is the first United Dreamliner, pictured being prepared for delivery at the Boeing assembly factory at Everett, WA. With the 787 Boeing has dropped its long-running customer codes. Many sites are still reporting this as a “787-822” but this is not correct.
United Airlines Slide Show:ย 
United Airlines‘ (Chicago) first Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner (N20904) completed its first production flight on Sunday (August 19) as Boeing makes its final preparations for delivering the jetliner to United at the end of September. The aircraft took off from Boeing’s Paine Field in Everett, Washington. Boeing pilots flew the 787-8 around the Seattle area for more than three hours as part of planned tests of the aircraft’s controls and systems.
During the flight, crew members examined the 787’s onboard systems at high and medium altitudes. They also checked backup and safety elements, including cabin pressurization, avionics, navigation and communications systems.
Sunday’s flight was part of a series of work that Boeing performs after each 787 comes out of its paint hangar and before airlines take delivery of the planes. The work also includes fueling, systems tests, engine runs and taxi tests.
Copyright Photo: United Airlines. Boeing has dropped the customer codes with the 787. Hence N20904 (msn 34824) is officially designated as a 787-8.
United:ย 
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