You wait a long time for a first-flight, then all of a sudden, it’s two first flights in two days.
Today, Boeing let the first stretch of the 787 – the 787-9 take to the air for the first time today.
Awaiting clearance
Lined up
Awaiting Clearance
Rolling
Wheels up!
Airboune
Airborne with one of the Boeing T-33 Chase Planes
Images via the Boeing Live Stream, The Boeing Company.
The airplane a good 20ft longer than the current Boeing 787-8 (206ft vs 186ft), with 300 miles more range than its older sibling. Today’s flight is powered with a pair of Rolls Royce Trent 1000 engines, with the option of airlines using GE GEex Engines.
388 orders have been placed have opted for the 787-9 Dreamliner, with big airlines such as ANA, British Airways, American Airlines, United Airlines, Air China, Air Berlin and Etihad (who have the biggest order of the type of 41 aircraft) ordering them.
Air New Zealand will be first to fly the aircraft in 2014.