Launch Customer Air New Zealand Announces Likely Route For The First Airplane

The second Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner completed a successful 4-hour, 18-minute first flight Thursday. The airplane, known as ZB002, departed Paine Field in Everett, WA, at 0806 PST and landed at 1224 local time at Seattle's Boeing Field.

As the only 787-9 test airplane to be fitted with elements of the passenger interior, ZB002 will test systems such as the environmental control system in addition to avionics and other aspects of airplane performance. Boeing has conducted a series of ground tests on the second 787-9 since its completion in late September.

With manufacturing of the 787-9 flight-test fleet complete, the first production 787-9 in final assembly and 137 flight-test hours to date, 787-9 development is on track. 787-10 development also is progressing as planned.

First delivery of the 787-9 to launch customer Air New Zealand is set for mid-2014. Twenty-six customers have ordered 396 787-9s, accounting for 40 percent of all 787 orders.

Air New Zealand says it has already established which route its new Dreamliner will fly. Chief Executive Officer Christopher Luxon said in a news release that Auckland-Perth will be the first scheduled route ever operated by the revolutionary new Boeing 787-9 when the airline takes delivery of the launch aircraft next year.

(Image provided by Boeing)

FMI: www.boeing.com