ANA celebrates a Dreamliner milestone

Japan’s biggest airline has been celebrating a milestone – its 100,000th revenue flight with the Boeing 787 Dreamliner.

The launch customer of the Dreamliner, All Nippon Airways is also the first airline in the world to reach 100,000 787 flights. 

“The 787 Dreamliner has played an important role especially in forming the backbone of our international fleet,” said Osamu Shinobe, president and CEO of ANA, as the airline and Boeing held a ceremony at Seattle’s Sea-Tac International Airport to mark the occasion.

“As the largest customer of the 787, we look forward to introducing the entire family of Dreamliners into our fleet as we aim to celebrate another 100,000 flights and beyond.” 

ANA started operating the Dreamliner In 2011. With 44 aircraft, it has the world’s largest Dreamliner fleet. Another 39 are on order. 

“We are honoured to celebrate this important milestone with ANA, especially here in Seattle,” said Ray Conner, president and CEO, Boeing Commercial Airplanes.

“This milestone demonstrates the strength of our long-standing relationship and we look forward to celebrating many more milestones with ANA going forward.”

The image is courtesy of Boeing.

 

Air Europa orders 14 Boeing 787-9s

Tags

787-8, 787-9, Air Europa, Aircraft, Airlines, All Nippon Airways, Aviation, Boeing, Buisness, Dreamliner, Globalia, Madrid, News, Spain

As it continues its transition to an all-Boeing long-haul fleet, Spanish airline Air Europa has ordered 14 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, valued at $3.6 billion.

Boeing said Thursday the order was booked in December and was previously attributed to an unidentified customer.

In all, the airline has ordered 22 787-8s and 787-9s.

The Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner (from my collection).

“Since its beginning, Air Europa has always operated the most contemporary airplanes available to the market. With the steps we are taking, we will become an airline with the most modern fleet in the world,” said Juan Jose Hidalgo, president of Globalia, the parent company of Air Europa.

“We have always looked for the best quality and comfort for our passengers and the Boeing 787 meets our needs because it is faster, quieter and more comfortable as well as being more efficient and more respectful to the environment.”

The first Dreamliners will start arriving in 2016.

The airplanes will be powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engines.

The deal with Rolls-Royce also includes a long term service support, the British engine maker said.

“We have plans to further expand our long-haul service and the Trent 1000 will deliver excellent economics through its performance and support service,” Hidalgo said.

The airline already has eight Trent 1000-powered 787-8s on order that will enter service in 2016.

Rolls-Royce said its engines powered the 787 test flight in 2009, the first 787-8 to enter service in late 2011 and the first 787-9 to enter service last year.

The first 787 was delivered to the launch customer All Nippon Airways in September 2011.

Boeing has won orders for 1,071 Dreamliners and delivered 228 so far. In addition to ANA, major customers include AerCap, Etihad Airways, Air New Zealand, Air Canada and Air India.

Air Europa is one of Spain’s largest airlines, serving more than 40 destinations.

Images are courtesy of Air Europa and Rolls-Royce.

Seattle museum gets a Dreamliner

Tags

Air Canada, Air New Zealand, Aircraft, Airlines, Airports, All Nippon Airways, Aviation, Boeing, Business, Dreamliner, Museums, News, Tourism, Transport, Travel

Seattle’s Museum of Flight is celebrating a rare acquisition — one of the original Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner test airplanes.

It was donated this week to the museum by the American manufacturer, also based in Seattle.

Known as ZA003, the airplane was the third 787-8 produced by Boeing.

In donating the aircraft, the company cited its unique past.

Boeing said the ZA003 had circumnavigated the globe multiple times in 2011 and 2012, first as part of test and certification program and later during the Dream Tour, which introduced the 787 to the world.

“This revolutionary airplane caps the museum’s collection of historic commercial airplanes, beginning with our 1932 Boeing 247, which was the first all-metal, modern airliner,” said Doug King, president and CEO of the museum.

“It was followed by our 1969 prototype 747, the first jumbo jet, and now with the first composite airliner, the 787. It’s an incredible addition to our comprehensive display.”

One of the largest air and space museums in the world, the Museum of Flight attracts more than a half million visitors annually.

As of last month, Boeing had won orders for 1,050 Dreamliners from nearly 60 customers. More than 200 airplanes have been delivered so far.

Major Dreamliner operators include All Nippon Airways, Air India, Air New Zealand, Japan Airlines, Ethiopian Airlines and Air Canada.

Photo shows visitors waiting to see the Dreamliner at the museum Saturday. Courtesy: Boeing