Boeing Delivers First 787-9 Dreamliner

Dreamliner in flight.

Boeing delivered its first 787-9 Dreamliner to launch customer Air New Zealand Monday.

The Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner is the second member of the Dreamliner family to be produced.  Similar to the 787-8, the stretched jet uses 20% less fuel and produces 20% fewer emissions than similar-sized airplanes.  The 787-9 is 20’ (six meters) longer, and has greater capacity and range.

The 787-9 can seat 16% more passengers than the 787-8.  It has a range of 8,300 nautical miles (15,372 kilometers), while the 787-8 is limited to 7,850 nautical miles (14,500 kilometers).

Air New Zealand’s 787-9 Dreamliner and will take its maiden voyage to New Zealand next week.  It is slated to enter service in October, connecting Auckland with Perth, Australia.  The airline has nine more 787-9 jets on order and had originally expected delivery in 2010.  This was caused by delays in the development and production of the smaller 787-8, which first went into service with launch customer ANA in 2011.

The 787-9 has the same amenities that the smaller 787-8 has including larger and higher windows, cabin pressure set to 6,000 feet altitude, and relative humidity at 15% instead of 4% on other aircraft.

(Photo: Accura Media Group)