Tag Archives: 787-9 Dreamliner

WestJet orders 10 firm Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners + 10 options

WestJet on May 2, 2017 announced a definitive purchase agreement with The Boeing Company for up to 20 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft. This agreement includes commitments for 10 Boeing 787-9 aircraft to be delivered between the first quarter of 2019 and December 2021, with options for an additional 10 aircraft to be delivered between 2020 and 2024. The airline also announced it has selected General Electric’s GEnx-1B engine for the 787.

As part of this purchase agreement, WestJet is converting 15 firm orders for the Boeing 737 MAX that were to be delivered between 2019 and 2021 to options available between 2022 and 2024.

On the financial side, WestJet also announced its 48^th consecutive profitable quarter, with first quarter 2017 net earnings of $48.3 million (all amounts in Canadian dollars), or $0.41 per diluted share. This compares with quarterly net earnings of $87.6 million, or $0.71 per diluted share reported in the first quarter of 2016. These first quarter 2017 results include a pre-tax non-cash adjustment to its maintenance provision of $18.5 million and irregular operations related costs of $7.0 million due to severe winter weather experienced in the quarter. Based on the trailing twelve months, the airline achieved a return on invested capital of 10.0 per cent, compared with the 11.3 per cent reported in the previous quarter.

“We are pleased to report strong topline revenue growth and our first positive unit revenue (RASM) performance in eight quarters. We are seeing good results from Plus, our premium economy product, growth in our WestJet Rewards program and penetration into the business traveller segment all of which gives us confidence that RASM will continue to improve for the remainder of the year,” said WestJet President and CEO Gregg Saretsky. “I want to thank our over 12,000 WestJetters for their continued dedication to safely providing our growing number of guests with WestJet’s award-winning brand of friendly caring service, especially given the challenging winter weather conditions we endured in the quarter.”

Image: WestJet.

Boeing delivers the first 787-9 Dreamliner to Korean Air

Boeing and Korean Air on February 22, 2017 celebrated the delivery of the airline’s first 787-9 Dreamliner. The Seoul-based carrier will be the first Korean carrier to operate the 787-9 Dreamliner in the country. The airline is scheduled to launch domestic flights to Jeju from Seoul (Gimpo) for a month as part of the required certification period, before launching long-haul international routes to Toronto, Madrid, and Zurich later this year.

Korean Air is scheduled to introduce five 787-9 Dreamliners to its fleet this year with another five joining the fleet by 2019.

Photo: Boeing. Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner HL8081 (msn 34810) is pictured at Charleston, SC.

American Airlines takes delivery of its first Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, to go into service on October 14

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American Airlines on September 13, 2016 took delivery of the pictured Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner from North Charleston, SC. The The first 787-9 is registered as N820AL (msn 40639).

The new type will be introduced domestically on October 14 between Dallas/Fort Worth and Los Angeles.

According to American, the 787-9 will make its debut international flight between Dallas/Fort Worth and Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport (MAD) on November 4. The aircraft will also operate between DFW and São Paulo–Guarulhos International Airport (GRU) beginning on November 4.

Photo: American Airlines.

AeroMexico unveils its first Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, named “Quetzalcoatl” in a special livery

aeromexico-787-9-xa-aml-16-quetzalcoatlnoseamlrw

AeroMéxico presents the special livery of its first Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner (XA-AML, msn 43859). The aircraft will be named “Quetzalcoatl” (meaning “Feathered Serpent”) after one of the principal deities of pre-Hispanic Mexico.

This is the first time in aviation history in which a design of this type is painted on an aircraft’s livery, offering a unique fusion of tradition and modernity. AeroMéxico’s Quetzalcoatl plane left the Boeing Aircraft Paint Hangar after a nine-day process—six days longer than expected—as the engineers found that they needed extra time to add all of the original hues and colors featured in the winning design.

In November 2014, AeroMéxico announced the “Design is in the Air” contest via social media and at several universities, inviting participants to submit a creative image to be painted on an aircraft’s fuselage. More than 1,000 participants presented their designs during the four-week contest period, 400 of which were chosen for meeting the requirements established in the rules. The winning design was created by graphic designer José Manuel Escudero of the Mexican state of Veracruz.

AeroMéxico is the second carrier in Latin America to operate the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner and plans to continue investing until its fleet has ten 787-9 aircraft, with the purpose of providing a better flight experience to customers. If an airline places an order for a 787 today, it could take between 10 to 15 years for it to be delivered. With a fuselage measuring 20 feet wider than the 787-8, the 787-9 will have the capacity for 48 additional passengers on longer routes (up to 300 more nautical miles) with 20% greater fuel efficiency, and up to 20% fewer emissions than the aircraft this model is replacing.

The airline has said that it will wait until the plane lands in Mexico to unveil the interior of this new aircraft that will change its customers’ travel experience.

Photo: AeroMexico.

KLM “unboxes” its new Boeing 787-9 as it enters service

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines (Amsterdam) yesterday (November 26) issued this statement and video:

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines today launched a light-hearted unboxing movie featuring the latest addition to its fleet: the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. The short film shows the Boeing 787 Dreamliner being “unwrapped”, as it were. KLM is the world’s first airline to present a new aircraft in this way.

Unboxing is an internet phenomenon, whereby people film the moment they unbox their latest acquisition or unwrap a gift, posting the moment on social media. This novel approach to opening packages is highly popular at the moment, particularly when it comes to new technological gadgets, such as phones and robots. KLM decided to play along with this trend, unboxing its brand-new Boeing 787 Dreamliner. In the movie, the hangar serves as the box, which is opened to reveal the entire aircraft.

The Boeing 787 Dreamliner joined the KLM fleet earlier this month. The new addition operated its first commercial flight on Monday, November 23, to Abu Dhabi/Bahrain. This is the first of a total of 21 Boeing 787 Dreamliners that will eventually join the KLM fleet.

United Airlines and ALPA reach a tentative agreement to extend the pilot contract

United Airlines (Chicago) has announced that it has reached an Agreement in Principle with the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) for a contract extension covering the airline’s more than 12,000 pilots more than a year ahead of the amendable date of the current contract. The agreement is subject to a ratification process which includes final documentation, review, and consideration by the ALPA Master Executive Council.

United has joint collective bargaining agreements covering the majority of its represented employees and recently announced that it will open contract negotiations early for the airline’s ramp service and passenger service agents, storekeepers, load planners, maintenance and fleet technical instructors, and other groups represented by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers. The airline is also engaged in mediated negotiations with the Association of Flight Attendants and recently announced an agreement with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters to put a proposed joint collective bargaining agreement out for ratification by the company’s technicians and related employees.

Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner N38955 (msn 37814) departs from Los Angeles International Airport.

United Airlines aircraft slide show (current livery):

Air Canada to offer double-daily Vancouver-London Heathrow service next summer

Air Canada (Montreal) has announced it is boosting international flights at its Vancouver (YVR) hub next summer with double daily flights from YVR to London Heathrow. In addition, the airline’s new nonstop flights from Vancouver to Brisbane, Australia will now launch two weeks earlier on June 1, 2016 to meet demand.

AC will use Boeing 777-300 ERs and 787-9 Dreamliners on the YVR-LHR route.

Copyright Photo: TMK Photography/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner C-FNOE (msn 35265) departs from Toronto (Pearson).

Air Canada aircraft slide show:

United Airlines to add three new international routes from the San Francisco hub

United Airlines (Chicago) is adding three new routes from its San Francisco (SFO) hub. The airline issued this statement:

United Airlines, the U.S. airline with the most comprehensive route network and the most trans-Pacific service, will further expand its global reach with new nonstop service from San Francisco to:

Tel Aviv, Israel, with service three times each week beginning March 30, 2016;
Auckland, New Zealand, with service three times each week beginning July 1, 2016, expanding to daily service in October; and
Xi’an, China, previously announced, three-times-weekly service beginning May 8, 2016, for the summer season.

Each new service is subject to government approval.

The airline intends to operate the new flights with the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, the world’s most advanced passenger airplane.

San Francisco-Tel Aviv: Linking High-Tech Markets

As part of United’s evaluation for serving San Francisco (SFO) to Tel Aviv (TLV) nonstop, the airline considered the opinions of thousands of customers who petitioned for the service through the SFOTLV.ORG petition effort.

Flight From To Departure Arrival
UA954 SFO TLV 8 p.m. We/Fr/Su 8:10 p.m. the next day
UA955 TLV SFO 12:55 a.m. Tu/Fr/Su 6 a.m. the same day

Flight times will be 14 hours, 10 minutes eastbound and 15 hours, 5 minutes westbound.

United has served Israel since 1999. The airline currently offers twice-daily Boeing 777 nonstop flights between Tel Aviv and New York/Newark.

San Francisco-Auckland

United’s three-times weekly service to Auckland (AKL), New Zealand’s largest city and main transportation hub to other points throughout the country, will launch July 1, 2016, with 787-8 aircraft. The schedule will expand to daily flights operating with 787-9 aircraft on Oct. 28, 2016, in time for the peak-winter travel season.

The Auckland flights will operate in partnership with United’s Star Alliance partner Air New Zealand.

Flight From To Departure Arrival
UA917 SFO AKL 10:45 p.m. 6:55 a.m. two days later
UA916 AKL SFO 1:20 p.m. 6:40 a.m. the same day

Flight times will be 13 hours, 10 minutes westbound and 12 hours, 20 minutes eastbound.

United in San Francisco

From its San Francisco hub, United operates nearly 280 daily flights to more than 90 destinations in North America, Latin America, Europe and Asia/Pacific.

United’s 787 Fleet

United currently has 22 787 Dreamliners in its fleet and expects to take delivery of three more by the end of 2015.

Copyright Photo: AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner N27957 (msn 36409) taxies to the gate at the nearby Los Angeles (LAX) hub.

United Airlines aircraft slide show (current livery):

British Airways takes delivery of the first Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner

British Airways (London) has welcomed the arrival of its first Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner.

According to British Airways, “The Boeing 787-9 – the latest addition to the fleet – features an evolution of our First cabin, with just 8 seats compared to the usual 14, increased range and is 20 feet longer and four inches taller than the 787-8.”

The new type will be flying to Abu Dhabi, Austin, Delhi, Kuala Lumpur, Muscat and San Jose, CA.

BA Fleet Facts: CLICK HERE

Copyright Photo: David Apps/AirlinersGallery.com. The first British Airways Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, the pictured G-ZBKA (msn 38616), is pictured arriving at the London Heathrow base for the first time on September 30, 2015 after being handed over to the carrier on the day before.

British Airways aircraft slide show:

Video: The time-lapse video below takes you behind the scenes at Boeing’s factory where the aircraft was expertly built.

ANA celebrates the roll-out of the R2-D2 Star Wars Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner JA873A logo jet at Everett

ANA (All Nippon Airways) (Tokyo) today (September 12) is celebrating the roll out of the new R2-D2 Star Wars special livery on new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner JA873A (msn 34530). The airline issued this statement:

The R2-D2™ ANA Jet, a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, rolled-out from the Boeing Everett Factory for the first time this morning (September 12). The R2-D2™ (below).

Photo Below: Boeing.

ANA Jet is the first of three planes to be decorated with Star Wars characters as part of an agreement between ANA, Japan’s largest airline, and The Walt Disney Company (Japan) Ltd.

“Today the time has come to bring the ANA Star Wars project to life and we hope Star Wars fans across the world will be as excited about our R2-D2 ANA Jet as we are,” said Hideki Kunugi, Senior Vice President, the Americas, ANA. “At ANA we’re always looking for ways to improve the flying experience for our passengers, and what better way to start your trip to Asia than on a one-of-a-kind Star Wars plane?”

The R2-D2 design was unveiled to Star Wars fans at the Star Wars Celebration in Anaheim, California earlier this year. Today marks the first time a Star Wars character appears on the exterior of an actual commercial aircraft.

“The Boeing Company is truly honored that ANA has selected the new 787-9 Dreamliner to showcase this wonderful new livery,” said Ihssane Mounir, Senior Vice President, Northeast Asia Sales and Marketing, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “Their commitment to the 787 is a testament to the market-leading efficiency and innovation of the Dreamliner. I am confident this latest addition to its large fleet of 787s, will help ANA maintain its position as one of the best airlines in the world.”

On October 18, the R2-D2™ ANA Jet is scheduled to go into service on international routes, initially as flight NH116 between Tokyo and Vancouver, and then fly between Japan and other cities in ANA’s robust international network including the US (Seattle and San Jose), Europe (Munich, Paris and Brussels), Australia (Sydney), China (Beijing), and Indonesia (Jakarta).[1] The R2-D2 motif is imprinted onto the cockpit and front half of the jet’s main fuselage, while the Star Wars logo spans the length behind the wings. The interior of the 215-seat passenger plane will feature themed in-flight decorations, such as headrest covers, paper napkins and cups, and passengers will be able to enjoy all six of the currently released Star Wars films as part of ANA’s extensive in-flight entertainment options. This will be the first time that any of the Star Wars movies have been included as part of an in-flight entertainment system.[2]

Two additional planes decorated with BB-8, a brand new character from Star Wars: The Force Awakens and R2-D2 will take to the skies following the R2-D2™ ANA Jet. The first, a Boeing 767-300, will begin flying domestic Japanese routes in November and then, in March 2016, a Boeing 777-300ER, is scheduled to start serving international routes principally between Japan and North America (the exact routes have yet to be announced)[3]. Fans will be able to see the planes’ schedules at http://www.ana-sw.com.

Today’s ceremony began with an introduction from Ihssane Mounir, Senior Vice President of Northeast Asia Sales and Marketing at Boeing, who welcomed the crowd that included journalists, R2-D2, C-3PO and Stormtroopers. When the official Star Wars music began to play, the Paint Hangar doors at the Boeing Everett Factory opened, unveiling the R2-D2™ ANA Jet to the world for the first time.

[1] Routes and flights detailed on the above site are provisional and subject to change without notification.

[2] Star Wars movies to be shown from November 1, 2015 to January 31, 2016 on all international routes.

[3] The routes are tentatively set as New York, Chicago and Houston, but this is subject to change.