After more than three years of delays the Boeing 787 Dreamliner is expected to enter service later this summer. At the Paris Air Show today, launch customer All Nippon Airways announced they will be taking delivery of the composite airliner in August or September. The airline has 55 of the efficient new airliners on order and expects to be flying 14 of them by the end of March 2012.
Boeing recently flew one of its 787 flight test aircraft to Japan where the plane maker and ANA were able to test and evaluate the airplane on potential routes and at airports where it will be serviced and maintained. Plagued by a wide range of delays, Boeing has built nearly 40 of the airplanes so far, though many of them still require finishing work before they will enter service.
The Japanese airline unveiled a custom paint job that it will use for the first two 787s to enter service (above). ANA also released details about the interiors for some of its 787s. Economy seats will include plug-ins for charging with both a universal power plug and via a USB port. Passengers up front will enjoy wide, touch-screen LCD displays from the comfort of their seats and/or beds, depending on the length of the flight.
Of course the big game at the Paris Air Show is announcing orders for new airliners, and Airbus has taken a lead in this department for 2011. Every day the plane makers announce an order for eight jumbo jets here or 30 single aisle jets there. But Airbus is claiming a record today after announcing an order from India’s IndiGo airline for 180 of its A320 aircraft.
The biennial air show at the Le Bourget airport continues through the weekend.
Photo: Boeing
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