Some Dreamliner operators have begun making tentative plans to reactivate the aircraft in the next few months (see news), but it's still all subject to Boeing's ongoing tests of a new battery system and approval by the Federal Aviation Industry. Meanwhile, here's how the affected airlines have adjusted to the grounding.
AIR INDIA
What routes was the Dreamliner deployed on or planned for? It was to be utilised on flights from Delhi to Dubai, Frankfurt and Paris, as well as from Delhi to Bangalore, Chennai and Kolkata.
What aircraft have been used as a substitute? A spokesperson will only say: "alternative aircraft is being used on those routes".
Were any new route launches postponed? No
ALL NIPPON AIR
What routes was the Dreamliner deployed on or planned for? First to take delivery of the game changing aricraft, ANA was flying it from Tokyo Haneda to Frankfurt and Beiing and from Tokyo Narita to Seattle and San Jose. Domestically, it was using the Dreamliner to serve 11 Japanese cities.
What aircraft have been used as a substitute? B777s, B767s, A320s and B737s are standing in for the Dreamliner until the problem is solved.
Were any new route launches postponed? No
ETHIOPIAN AIRLINES
What routes was the Dreamliner deployed on or planned for? It was being used for the Johannesburg, Harare, Lusaka, Beijing, Mumbai, Toronto, Washington DC and Frankfurt services.
What aircraft have been used as a substitute? B777s and B767s
Were any new route launches postponed? No
JAPAN AIRLINES
What routes was the Dreamliner deployed on or planned for? It was flying from Tokyo Haneda and Narita to Singapore, and Tokyo Narita to Boston, San Diego, Moscow, as well as Tokyo Haneda to Beijing.
What aircraft have been used as a substitute? Either a B777-200ER or B767
Were any new route launches postponed? The Tokyo Narita to Helsinki service, which was earmarked for a February 25 start up.
LAN AIRLINES
What routes was the Dreamliner deployed on or planned for? Three Dreamliners were in operation when the suspension was announced, flying between Santiago and Buenos Aires, Lima and Los Angeles. The Dreamliner was supposed to have been used on an existing Santiago to Madrid service as well.
What aircraft have been used as a substitute? B767
Were any new route launches postponed? No
LOT POLISH AIRLINES
What routes was the Dreamliner deployed on or planned for? The aircraft was serving the Warsaw to Chicago run until the grounding. If the incident had not occurred, it would have seen action on the Chicago, New York, Toronto and Beijing routes.
What aircraft have been used as a substitute? A B767 was used in the early days of the grounding, and from April 12, LOT has leased an A330 from Portugese operator Hi Fly, putting it on the Chicago flights as well as Warsaw to New York. This will last until May 31.
Were any new route launches postponed? No
QATAR AIRWAYS
What routes was the Dreamliner deployed on or planned for? The carrier's five Dreamliners were flying to Dubai, Zurich and London Heathrow, where one currently remains due to the suspension. Frankfurt and Perth would also have enjoyed Dreamliner service if it wasn't for the grounding.
What aircraft have been used as a substitute? A330s and B777 stepped in on the routes mentioned above.
Were any new route launches postponed? The Doha–Chicago service, which debuted recently, was to have operated the Dreamliner, but had to opt for a B777-300 instead.
THOMSON AIRWAYS
What routes was the Dreamliner deployed on or planned for? The first UK carrier to have taken delivery of the Dreamliner was to have used it on flights from Gatwick, Manchester, East Midlands and Glasgow to Cancun and Florida.
What aircraft have been used as a substitute? A B767 aircraft is now operating these routes.
Were any route launches postponed? No
UNITED AIRLINES
What routes was the Dreamliner deployed on or planned for? The aircraft was serving Asia-Pacific on the Narita–Los Angeles and Shanghai–Los Angeles routes.
What aircraft have been used as a substitute? A B777 is now being utilised on the Asia-Pacific services.
Were any route launches postponed? The debut of Narita–Denver has been moved to June 10, 2013, a service that United says: "We remain committed to."
Margie T Logarta
