Boeing is approaching something of a milestone on its 787 program, with aircraft number 787 reaching final assembly.
The pending completion of the 787th 787, reported to be in production for China Southern Airlines, comes a little over seven years since All Nippon Airways became the 787 launch customer in September 2011.
Today, there are 71 customers of the 787 listed on the Boeing website, including Air New Zealand, Jetstar and Qantas in this part of the world. [vc_gallery interval=”0″ images=”64360,63134,62081,61909,61907,59896,58359,58065,56629,56419,52377,49519,49148,48911,47991,45069,44598,36613,18610″ img_size=”750×420″ title=”The 787 in pictures”]
Jetstar became Australia’s first 787 operator when it received the first of 11 General Electric-powered 787-8s in 2013.
Air New Zealand took delivery of its first 787-9 in 2014. It currently has 13 of the type, with one more on order. Its 787-9s are powered by Rolls-Royce engines.
And Qantas welcomed its first 787-9 in October 2017. Like its low-cost carrier subsidiary Jetstar, Qantas’s Dreamliners also have GE engines.
Qantas currently has six 787-9s, with two more to arrive by the end of 2018. There are also a further six of the type due for delivery by the end of 2020.
The aircraft are used to fly to London, the United States and Hong Kong.
Most recently, China-based Juneyao Airlines has become the newest operator of the 787, having received its first 787-9 on October 19.
Welcome to the #Dreamliner family, Juneyao! The 787’s fuel efficiency, long range, and passenger-pleasing features will power Juneyao’s international expansion, connecting Shanghai with SE Asia, Japan, Korea. #Boeinghttps://t.co/IrBAFlqBNk pic.twitter.com/RJVzKP7NTh
— Boeing Airplanes (@BoeingAirplanes) October 19, 2018
Total 787 orders are approaching 1,400, with the Boeing website showing 656 total unfilled orders for the aircraft, which is available in three variants – the original 787-8, the larger 787-9 and the 787-10 double-stretch.
VIDEO: A look at Boeing’s 787-9 flying display routine for the 2016 Farnborough Airshow from the Boeing YouTube channel.
