Planemaker Will Show Off Its Latest Product In Asia, Africa, And The Middle East

To generate interest in a product, you have to get in front of potential users and buyers. That's true whether what you're selling is the latest weight-loss gadget or a new jetliner. With that in mind Boeing is about to embark on what it calls a six-month "Dream Tour" with its 787 Dreamliner, showing the plane off to customers and partners in targeted markets in December, with additional stops planned as the new year unfolds.

The December schedule for the 787 Dream Tour includes six stops in Asia, Africa and the Middle East:

• Dec. 4-11: China with stops in Beijing, Guangzhou and Haikou to visit customers, partners, and government officials including representatives from Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC), Air China, China Southern, Hainan Airlines, Aviation Industries of China (AVIC) and Chengdu Aircraft Industrial Co. (CAC).
• Dec. 11-16: Africa with stops in Addis Ababba, Ethiopia and Nairobi, Kenya to visit Ethiopian Airlines and Kenya Airways.
• Dec. 16-19: Middle East stop in Doha to visit Qatar Airways.

Specific dates for the subsequent segments of the tour will be announced about one month prior to the events. Additional tour stops are being planned for January through April 2012 and will be detailed as those plans become firm.

Many of the stops will include opportunities for local media to tour the airplane and talk with Boeing executives and pilots. "The 787 Dreamliner is a game-changing airplane and we're delighted to be able to bring this innovative product to our customers who will soon be receiving their own 787s," said Ray Conner, vice president of Sales for Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "This airplane is now changing the way the world flies, and we want to share that excitement with as many people as we can."

Test aircraft ZA003 has been tapped for the Dream Tour. It has been retrofitted with special interior features designed to highlight the unique cabin features and performance capabilities of the Dreamliner. The flight test equipment on board ZA003, the third 787 to be built, has been removed and a stunning new interior has been installed. The airplane also has received a refreshed Boeing livery.

"Our flight test airplane has turned into a show piece," said Scott Fancher, vice president and general manager of the 787 program. "Anyone who has seen the inside of a flight test airplane will be amazed at the transformation. All of the 787 passenger features are here."

FMI: www.boeing.com