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United Airlines Launches First International Dreamliner Service

United 787BOEING 787 DEBUTS ON LOS ANGELES-TOKYO ROUTE

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 2, 2013 /PRNewswire/ — United Airlines will introduce daily nonstop 787 Dreamliner service between its hub at Los Angeles International Airport and its hub at Tokyo Narita International Airport beginning Thursday, Jan. 3. The service – previously operated with a 777 aircraft – is the first regularly-scheduled international route operated using United’s 787 Dreamliner.

“We are delighted to offer our customers in Los Angeles and Tokyo the comfort and spectacular flying experience of our new Boeing Dreamliner aircraft,” said Jim Mueller, United’s vice president of Atlantic and Pacific Sales. “We look forward to offering our customers the opportunity to experience the Dreamliner on additional international flights in the future.”

The flight, UA32, will depart Los Angeles at 11:15 a.m., arriving in Tokyo Narita at 4:10 p.m. the next day. The return flight, UA33, will depart Tokyo Narita daily at 5:55 p.m., arriving in Los Angeles at 10:35 a.m. the same day.

United’s 787 Dreamliner is configured with 36 seats in United BusinessFirst, 70 seats in United Economy Plus and 113 seats in United Economy. The aircraft will revolutionize the flying experience for United customers and crews while delivering unprecedented operating efficiency, comfort and lower emissions. Customers on the flights will experience greater comfort with improved lighting, bigger windows, larger overhead bins, lower cabin altitude and enhanced ventilation systems, among other passenger-friendly features.

Recent photos and video and a virtual tour of United’s first 787 aircraft are also available for download in the media center on unitedcontinentalholdings.com.

About United

United Airlines and United Express operate an average of 5,557 flights a day to 378 airports on six continents from the airline’s hubs in Chicago, Cleveland, Denver, Guam, Houston, Los Angeles, New York/Newark, San Francisco, Tokyo and Washington, D.C. United is upgrading its cabins with more flat-bed seats in first and business class and more extra-legroom economy-class seating than any other airline in North America. United now has 180 airplanes featuring DIRECTV®, offering customers more live television access than any other airline in the world. United operates nearly 700 mainline aircraft and has orders for more than 270 new aircraft deliveries through 2022. In 2012, United was the first North American airline to take delivery of new Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft. United was rated the world’s most admired airline on FORTUNE magazine’s 2012 airline-industry list of the World’s Most Admired Companies. Readers of Global Traveler magazine have voted United’s MileagePlus program the best frequent flyer program for eight consecutive years. United is a founding member of Star Alliance, which provides service to 193 countries via 27 member airlines. More than 85,000 United employees reside in every U.S. state and in countries around the world. For more information, visit united.com or follow United on Twitter and Facebook. The common stock of United’s parent, United Continental Holdings, Inc., is traded on the NYSE under the symbol UAL.

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January 2, 2013 I Written By

I'm Dave and I am a proud Avgeek. It goes way beyond liking airplanes. It is a passion that cannot be subdued.

Filed Under: Aircraft  Aviation  Boeing  Press Release  United Airlines
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Boeing 787 Dreamliner: An Unbiased Visitor Gives His Opinions

It can be really hard to get an honest, unbiased look at anything that is new.  That really is no surprise since the first group to share any information are the people who build it.  Up until recently, pretty much everything we have heard about the Boeing 787 Dreamliner has come from Boeing.  As much fun as it is to listen to the Kool-Aid drinkers from any company, it is so refreshing to get an unbiased perspective.

That is exactly what you can get from Brett Snyder, The Cranky Flier.  If you are not familiar with his blog, I highly recommend that you go to his blog regularly as he always provides a very nice perspective of whatever he writes about.

In this case, he had the opportunity to go and take a tour of the 787 Dreamliner while on its tour stop in Long Beach.  He provides some really fun pictures, as well as a short video, and a nice refreshing perspective.  I am so jealous, and I hope that I get the opportunity to see it for myself sometime soon.

My dad has dreamed of flying on a 747 his entire life, and came as close as sitting on one when the flight got cancelled and they had to switch planes.  I have a feeling that the 787 may just be that plane for me.  Right now there are so few of them, and most of them are overseas, so I don’t see a chance to fly on one anytime soon.  In the meantime, I will live vicariously through those who have the opportunity.

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March 15, 2012 I Written By

I'm Dave and I am a proud Avgeek. It goes way beyond liking airplanes. It is a passion that cannot be subdued.

Filed Under: Aircraft  Aviation  Boeing  Commercial Aviation
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Advanced Composite Cargo Aircraft Brings Composites to the Air Force

The Boeing 787 Dreamliner is an aircraft that is being closely watched by the whole aviation industry.  It is the first airliner to be built largely of composites which is supposed to help increase fuel efficiency which is the biggest financial issue in aviation.

Normally, the military drives innovation and the development and new technologies.  In this case, Boeing may have been the innovator in the civilian sector, with Lockheed Martin pursuing development in the military arena.

The advanced composite cargo aircraft from Lockheed Martin's Skunk Works could revolutionize the way aircraft are built.

Lockheed Martin’s Advanced Development Program, more commonly known as Skunk Works, is working to develop an advanced composite cargo aircraft for the US Air Force.  Most people are well aware of the efficiency benefits of composites, but there are a lot more advantages than that.

According to the Lockheed Martin website, here are a couple of the other benefits:

The use of composites in aircraft manufacturing will mean lighter, less expensive and more durable aircraft that also are easier to maintain. For example, the Advanced Composite Cargo Aircraft manufacturing process will require far fewer parts and will dramatically reduce corrosion and metal fatigue issues.

Corrosion and metal fatigue are huge issues for military aircraft that are often forced to enter incredibly harsh environments where any material would be tested to its limits.  Add to that the generally rugged nature of military operations, and it is clear that it takes a pretty special material to support that.

If that weren’t enough, you also have to consider the fact that military aircraft are almost always asked to serve much longer than they are originally planned.  Reducing corrosion and fatigue would make it that much easier for aircraft to successfully operate even longer.

If these new materials and structural concepts are as effective as they hope them to be, than the new advanced composite cargo aircraft may change the way that military aircraft are built much the way the 787 Dreamliner could change the way airliners are built.

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March 6, 2012 I Written By

I'm Dave and I am a proud Avgeek. It goes way beyond liking airplanes. It is a passion that cannot be subdued.

Filed Under: Aircraft  Aviation  Aviation Technology  Boeing  Lockheed Martin  Military Aviation
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Could the Boeing 787 Dreamliner be the New Air Force One?

Air Force One.

There is probably not a more recognized plane in the whole world than the one that carries around the President of the United States.  It has been photographed more than any other plane in the world, it was the centerpiece of a major movie starring Harrison Ford, and it is getting pretty old and worn out.

Just to be totally accurate, Air Force One is technically the callsign of any Air Force aircraft that is carrying the President, just as Marine One is a Marine aircraft carrying the President.  Multiple aircraft have carried the title of Air Force One over the years, but it is currently associated with two Boeing VC-25As which are highly customized 747-200Bs.

The first VC-25A was delivered in 1990 which means that these aircraft are coming up on a quarter century of flight around the world.  While that is not exceptionally old by some standards, this platform is getting old as most airlines have retired these older models of the 747 which means that maintenance costs continue to rise as parts become less common.

So what aircraft is going to replace this iconic platform?

The Air Force put out a request for a replacement back in January of 2009 to have a new plane in service by 2017.  A couple of weeks later, EADS(Airbus) took themselves out of the running leaving Boeing as the sole bidder, with the 747-8 and the 787 Dreamliner as the proposed offerings.

President Obama tours the 787 production line with Jim McNerney, Chairman, President & CEO of The Boeing Company (right) and Jim Albaugh, President & CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes. Photo by Marian Lockhart.

Interestingly, President Obama toured the facility in Washington where the 787 Dreamliner is assembled.  I don’t think that is necessarily an indication of an impending decision as much as a political move of some sort, but it certainly gets the wheels turning.

The 787 Dreamliner is arguably the most innovative aircraft in the world right now.  Its carbon fiber construction, and high-tech roots make it incredibly suited to all types of applications.  One of the biggest appeals is the fuel-efficiency and eco-friendly buzz words that make so many people swoon these days.

From everything that we can tell the Dreamliner is a great aircraft that is living up to the hype, but it is hard to know how good a plane really is until it has some real-time in service.  That being said, I can think of a couple of reasons that this would be a very appealing choice for the most powerful office in the world.

As I already mentioned, being able to use those great buzz words of fuel-efficient and eco-friendly are just the type of thing that a president who is so worried about his image on the international stage would eat up.  America has a terrible reputation when it comes to fossil fuel emissions and replacing the biggest fuel burner in the US government would definitely help that image.

Being in an election year where the economy is far and away the number one issue, picking the Dreamliner would be a great move from a political standpoint.  The purchase itself wouldn’t mean a lot since it is only for three planes, but it could make a huge difference in the grand scheme of things.

I’m sure Boeing would love to have their new baby shown off to the whole world every time the President gets on and off his plane.  How many airlines would at the very least take a more serious look at the Dreamliner if the President of the United States called it his personal jet?

It is one thing to go and tour the plant and say that it is a great airframe, and all of the factory workers are doing a great job, but it is quite another to pick that plane to replace the most photographed, highly recognizable plane in the world.  Like so many other companies across the country, Boeing can use all of the help they can get.

 

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February 21, 2012 I Written By

I'm Dave and I am a proud Avgeek. It goes way beyond liking airplanes. It is a passion that cannot be subdued.

Filed Under: Aircraft  Aviation  Boeing  Government Aviation
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Boeing to Showcase 787 Dreamliner at 2012 Singapore Airshow

737 MAX and 747-8 Intercontinental featured; F-15SG, CH-47, AH-64D and KC-135 on static display; C-17 flight demonstration planned

CHICAGO, Feb. 7, 2012 – The Boeing [NYSE: BA] 787 Dreamliner, the world’s most advanced passenger airplane, will make its Singapore debut as part of a formidable lineup of Boeing commercial and defense products at the 2012 Singapore Airshow.

The Boeing exhibit at the biennial show, which runs from February 14 to 19, features the new 737 MAX, the new-engine variant of the world’s best-selling airplane; the 747-8 Intercontinental in distinctive “Sunrise” livery; the F-15 advanced cockpit simulator; and the Virtual Maintenance Trainer, which integrates advanced multimedia technology for training in support of fixed- and rotary-wing platforms.

The range of Boeing platforms on static display – and in service with the Republic of Singapore Air Force – includes the F-15SG fighter, the CH-47 Chinook heavy-lift helicopter, the AH-64D Apache advanced multirole combat helicopter, and the KC-135R Stratotanker.

“We are delighted to be showcasing some of the world’s newest and most innovative commercial airplanes alongside our strong defense products and capabilities at this year’s show,” said Skip Boyce, president, Boeing Southeast Asia. “Looking to the future, the Asia-Pacific region will be pivotal to our growing international business success. We remain strongly committed to our customers, suppliers and partners here.”

The 787 will land in Singapore for the first time just before the show opens and will be on static display Feb. 14 to 17. The third flight-test Dreamliner aircraft is outfitted with a luxurious business-class cabin, an overhead crew rest compartment and an economy-class section. Boeing has 870 Dreamliners on order from 59 customers, including Singapore Airlines and Vietnam Airlines.

A U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III – the world’s premier military airlifter and transport for humanitarian and peacekeeping missions – will highlight its capabilities during demonstration flights at the show. The Boeing-built and -maintained B-52 Stratofortress, the U.S. Air Force’s prime strategic bomber, will conduct flyovers on Feb. 14, 18 and 19.

Boeing will hold a series of media briefings during the show, as listed below. Reporters should check the briefing schedule daily at the show Media Center for the latest updates.

The company will highlight its air show activities through official Twitter feeds @Boeing, @BoeingAirplanes and @BoeingDefense, and through www.boeing.com/singapore2012, starting today.

The website will be updated throughout the show with videos, briefing presentations, and any schedule changes. The website also contains program backgrounders, executive biographies and a link to high-resolution photos.

Note: All times listed below are local to Singapore.

Wednesday, February 15

1200                   BDS Heavy Lift Briefing 

BDS discusses how the unmatched heavy-lift capabilities of the C-17 Globemaster III airlifter and H-47 Chinook helicopter meet the needs of current and potential operators in the Asia-Pacific region and around the world. Briefing includes discussion of future platform enhancements.

Venue:                Function Room 5, Changi Exhibition Center

Speaker:             Tommy Dunehew, vice president, Business Development, Mobility

 

1300                   BDS Military Derivatives Briefing

A look at Boeing’s current and future military derivatives and new technologies. Highlighted programs include 737 Airborne Early Warning & Control, P-8A Poseidon and P-8I.

Venue:                Function Room 4, Changi Exhibition Center

Speaker:             Steve Nordlund, director, Business Development, Surveillance &                                              Engagement

 

1400                   Boeing Commercial Aviation Services will unveil a new standard for services

Boeing Commercial Airplanes reveals an exciting new airplane services initiative that focuses on the unmatched advantage and value Boeing provides its customers, using the industry’s largest portfolio of airline support programs and products.

 

Venue:                Boeing Exhibit, Booth U-23, Changi Exhibition Center

Speakers:           Lou Mancini, senior vice president, Commercial Aviation Services

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February 14, 2012 I Written By

I'm Dave and I am a proud Avgeek. It goes way beyond liking airplanes. It is a passion that cannot be subdued.

Filed Under: Air Shows  Aircraft  Aviation  Boeing  Commercial Aviation  Military Aviation  Press Release
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