SEATTLE, 6 Jan. 2014. Boeing (NYSE:BA) has delivered the 787-9 Dreamliner to Auckland, home of launch customer Air New Zealand, while simultaneously marking the 787-9's international debut and the commercial aircraft’s longest flight since the start of its test program.
The second of three 787-9s dedicated to the flight-test program, ZB002 flew from Seattle's Boeing Field to Auckland International Airport, departing 3 January 2014 at 9:55 a.m. local time and landing roughly 13 hours, 49 minutes later. The airplane will continue on to Alice Springs, Australia, for testing in hot climates.
The 787-9 boasts a fuselage stretched by 20 feet (6 meters) over the 787-8, as well as the ability to fly up to 40 more passengers an additional 300 nautical miles (555 kilometers) with the same attractive environmental performance of 20 percent less fuel use and 20 percent fewer emissions than similarly sized aircraft, officials say. The 787-9 leverages the design of the 787-8, with large windows, large stow bins, LED lighting, higher humidity, a lower cabin altitude, cleaner air, and a smoother ride.
Twenty-six customers from around the world have ordered 402 Boeing 787-9 airliners, accounting for 39 percent of all 787 orders. Boeing is on track to deliver the 787-9 to launch customer Air New Zealand in mid-2014.
