Tag Archives: N20904

United to operate a trans-Atlantic biofuel flight on September 14

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Agrisoma Biosciences Inc., a Canadian agri-tech company that sells Carinata seeds used to produce aviation biojet fuel, will partner with United Airlines and World Energy on Agrisoma’s second international commercial flight powered by biojet fuel made from Carinata seed oil. The nonstop San Francisco-to-Zurich flight on a Boeing 787-8 departs on September 14 at 2:10 p.m. from San Francisco International Airport and arrives September 15 at 10:10 a.m. at Zurich Airport (aka Kloten Airport) (see below).

The biojet fuel made from Carinata and refined by World Energy’s AltAir Fuels, replaces 30 percent of the petroleum jet fuel needed for the flight. Fuels made from Carinata, a non-food, mustard-like oilseed, lead the aviation industry in greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction.

“This flight is another milestone for the aviation industry’s move toward low-carbon fuels,” said Steve Fabijanski, founder, CEO and president of Agrisoma. “At 11 hours, it is the longest transatlantic biojet flight undertaken to date, and, with the fuel-efficient Boeing 787, represents the lowest carbon footprint commercial flight across the Atlantic. It is our second international biojet flight powered by Carinata, but there are more to come.”

Earlier this year, Agrisoma and Australia’s QANTAS Airways partnered on a transpacific flight from Los Angeles to Melbourne that used biojet fuel produced from Carinata.

Agrisoma has commercial agreements across the global aviation industry to supply Carinata for a low-carbon fuel that is chemically identical to conventional, petroleum-derived jet fuel. Agrisoma has Carinata growers in place throughout the Americas and Australia, where Carinata is grown as a second crop to complement existing crop production, delivering additional on-farm income and soil health benefits.

Carinata Biojet fuel is made by harvesting tons of Carinata crop (above), crushing the grain (below) to recover the oil and refining that oil into jet fuel by the same process used for petroleum-derived jet fuel.

Carinata biojet fuel typically replaces 10 to 30 percent of the petroleum jet fuel needed for a flight, making a cleaner fuel blend that reduces greenhouse gas emissions. Production of biofuel from Carinata seeds yields both biofuel and, as a byproduct, high-protein animal feed. Stems and leaves from the crop are returned to the field to enrich the soil for subsequent crops. Carinata is the first oilseed to be certified sustainable by the Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials (RSB), the independent global standard and certification program for sustainable biofuels.

Top Copyright Photo (all others by AltAir Fuels): United Airlines Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner N20904 (msn 34824) ZRH (Andi Hiltl). Image: 941758.

United aircraft slide show:

United Airlines to start Houston-Sao Paulo Boeing 787 service

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):

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United Airlines to introduce the Boeing 787 on the Seattle/Tacoma-Tokyo Narita route

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. Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner N20904 (msn 34824) climbs away from the runway at Los Angeles International Airport.

United Airlines:

United Airlines to resume Boeing 787 service on May 20 between Houston and Chicago

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.

United Airlines:

Seattle Times: NTSB and Boeing at odds over some 787 comments made in Tokyo

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 launches its first international Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner service today

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 – previously operated with a Boeing 777 aircraft – 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.

United Airlines:

FAA to order U.S. airlines to inspect Boeing 787 fuel systems

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

United Airlines:

United Airlines receives FAA certification for the new Boeing 787 Dreamliner, the first revenue flight is on November 4

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 at unitedhub.com 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:

United Airlines takes delivery of its first Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner

United Airlines (Chicago) and Boeing (Chicago) announced today (September 24) the delivery of the airline’s first 787-8 Dreamliner. 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 other features.

United’s first Dreamliner is expected to arrive in Houston later this week 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:

Video:

United announces a series of domestic Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner flights

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. 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	1^st 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. 2^nd 787 delivery.
November	Scheduled commercial flights from Houston to other U.S. hubs. 3^rd and 4^th 787 deliveries expected.
December	Scheduled commercial flights from Houston to other U.S. hubs. 5^th 787 delivery expected. First international service Dec. 4.
January	Commencement of scheduled commercial flights on additional international routes 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 than 470 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. 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: