United Airlines’ first Boeing B787 Dreamliner has completed the final assembly stage and is now set to move to the next phase.
After final assembly, the cabin and engines will be installed and the livery will be painted before the plane is ready for delivery in the second half of 2012, although a confirmed date has not been released.
Upon delivery, the aircraft will be launched on the long-haul Houston-Auckland route.
United will be the first North American carrier to operate the Dreamliner, configured with 36 seats in business class, 63 in premium economy and 120 in economy.
At present, United Continental Holdings has a total of 50 Dreamliners on order – 25 each for United and Continental Airlines.
A young aircraft fleet is part of United Continental’s product enhancement programme, alongside installing flat-bed seating on 62 additional long-haul aircraft and rolling out onboard wifi on 200 aircraft (see story here). United Continental Holdings has also been busy aligning the two newly merged carriers’ policies and branding for consistency and quality, including launching a singular revamped loyalty programme (see story here).
For more information, visit www.united.com or www.continental.com
Fifty-four airlines have ordered the Dreamliner and the first to take it to the sky is ANA. Business Traveller Asia-Pacific editor Reggie Ho will be on the inaugural flight and bring you an exclusive report on October 26.
Alisha Haridasani