787s Will Fly Long-Haul Route From Japan

All Nippon Airways, Japan's largest airline and the launch customer for the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, announced Wednesday that the first two US destinations it will serve with the new plane include Boeing's manufacturing home in Seattle, WA. The other is San Jose, CA. ANA says it will fly from Tokyo's Narita airport to both cities starting in fiscal 2012.

ANA says the routes will maximize the Dreamliner's efficiency and performance. The airline says the 787 uses 20 per cent less fuel than similar-sized aircraft, and offers new standards of passenger comfort because of its composite structure and interior design.

Shinichiro Ito, President and CEO of ANA Group, commented: "We are very pleased to announce the launch of further international Dreamliner services to these two new destinations on the west coast of the United States. We will make full use of the efficiencies of the 787 as well as capitalizing on our close relationship with United and Continental Airlines to enhance the competitiveness of our joint ventures with these two Star Alliance partners."

"Seattle is an important international business hub and home to companies such as Microsoft, Amazon and, of course, Boeing itself while San Jose is in the heart of Silicon Valley. Passenger demand to fly to both destinations is high, not only from Japan but from many Asian cities. The launch of these new services will make ANA the only Japanese airline to operate the two routes, as well as the only carrier to operate the Narita-San Jose route."

FMI: www.ana.co.jp