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United Airlines Puts First North American Dreamliner In The Air

by Chris Owen (RSS feed) on Sep 25th 2012 at 3:30PM

Over the weekend, United Airlines put the first of 50 Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft in the air. Said to be the most technologically advanced aircraft ever built, the 787 will initially be used by United on international flights to Asia, Africa and Europe. But first, a series of domestic flights will showcase the aircraft around the United States.

"As the North American launch customer, we are delighted to be getting our first 787 Dreamliner," said Jeff Smisek, president and chief executive of United in a Seattle Post Intelligencer article." As we continue to build the world's leading airline, we are excited for our customers and co-workers to experience this game-changing aircraft."

And experience it they will. After an October filled with proving/validation flights and training activities, the new Dreamliner will fly out of United's Houston (IAH) hub with daily service to San Francisco (SFO), Los Angeles (LAX), Denver (DEN) and Newark (EWR). Six times a week, the new aircraft will fly to Chicago (ORD) with special one-time flights to Washington (IAD) and Cleveland (CLE).

In addition to unprecedented operating efficiency, comfort and lower emissions, the Dreamliner has a host of passenger-friendly features too. Passengers will notice 30 percent larger windows and larger overhead storage bins for today's roll-aboard bags. Improved lighting, cabins pressurized at 6,000 feet rather than the 8,000-foot mark typical for commercial passenger aircraft and higher humidity levels will help with fatigue, headaches and jet lag.

"United now begins a new chapter with the 787 Dreamliner," said Smisek, "the most technologically advanced commercial jetliner ever built."

Here is video of that first 787 Dreamliner being rolled out of the paint shop at Boeing late last week:

Want to see inside the new Dreamliner? Go with Gadling's Zach Honig Inside United's First 787 Dreamliner At Boeing HQ

Photo- United Airlines