Well the 787 is starting to come of age now as All Nippon Airlines begin to stretch the 787 wings from domestic Japanese runs to International run, connecting Tokyo Haneda Airport to Frankfurt.
ANA have Five Boeing 787’s in service, with one of them dedicated to the HND-FRA run. Running initially 3 times a week until February 1st, where it will go 3 times a week with 787 equipment, 4 times a week with 777-200 equipment. From March, the aim is to go 787 throughout
The International Boeing 787 is configured for long-haul with 46 business-class seats and 112 economy-class seats.
Those who are wondering why ANA have chosen Frankfurt over another city (lets say – London Heathrow), it boils down to slots and times. As Tokyo HND is restricted in terms of International Departures/Arrivals, and slots at another airport (again, lets call it London Heathrow Airport).
ANA being the first carrier is hoping for a big delivery of 787’s, with 20 to be delivered before 31st March 2013, and 55 delivered in total by 2017.
Already ANA has annouced more routes for the 787, citing Tokyo HND-San Jose and Toyko HND-Seattle, and domestic runs from HND to Itami, Matsuyama and Yamaguchi Ube.
And my personal interest in all of this? I’m due to fly the 787 with ANA very soon….
ANA also chose Frankfurt due to their Star Alliance partner Lufthansa. They’re advertising the route here in Tokyo as a perfect morning connection to several European cities: Sleep on the flight and arrive in Paris by 9:15 AM (via Frankfurt on Lufthansa).
The press release cites SJC-NRT, SEA-NRT http://www.ana.co.jp/eng/aboutana/press/2011/111221.html
It would be fantastic if it was to Haneda instead but perhaps it is also an issue of slots and times. It seems like the dreamliner might be able to operate during SJC curfew if the engine is quiet enough.
is it SJC to NRT or HND ?
SJC/SEA-NRT might make more sense than HND in terms of connections to China and southeast Asia. I think the departure/arrival times will probably be about the same as other west coast cities.