The First New Airplane Since The Fleet Was Grounded Goes To ANA

As Boeing has just increased Dreamliner production to seven airplanes per month, the company has been given the green light to resume deliveries of the 787 to customers ... with the first new delivery going to Japan's All Nippon Airways (ANA).

Writing on his blog, Boeing marketing VP Randy Tinseth said the resumption of deliveries is just one of the "great things" happening at the Dreamliner factory in Everett, WA, including the delivery of the first "major piece of the 787-9." 

"The health of our 787 factories in Everett and North Charleston has never been better or more efficient," Tinseth wrote. "And despite the disruption in deliveries over the past several months, we still expect to deliver all the 787s we originally planned to by the end of the year. We once again thank our customers for their patience and confidence as we begin delivering on our commitments."

ANA was the launch customer for the Dreamliner, and now has 17 787s in its fleet. It said that it would be resuming 787 revenue flights June 1, according to a report from the French news service AFP.

The only U.S. carrier to have taken delivery of a Dreamliner so far, United Airlines, said it would be resuming revenue flights May 20 on domestic routes, and would be launching Denver-Tokyo service June 10.

(Image provided by Boeing)

FMI: www.boeing.com