Countdown to Launch: Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner

Image Courtsey: Boeing

The first Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner is on its way to completion. On May 30, the first Boeing 787-9 began final assembly in Everett, Washington. Roll out is expected within the next month or two, and the first delivery is expected to occur in mid-2014 to launch customer Air New Zealand. So far, twenty customers have placed 361 orders for the 787-9.

One may notice that the vertical stabilizer looks different compared to the original Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner livery. The vertical stabilizer on the 787-9 reflects a refreshed look for the Boeing family that started with the 747-8 and evolved with the 737 MAX. Many features of the livery on the original 787 are reflected in the new design. The prominent number designator on the tail helps distinguish various models within the same product family.

Stay tuned for the latest developments on our continuously updated “Countdown to Launch: Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner” timeline below.

Last Updated: July 17, 2013 at 6:20 PM EDT

The first flight of the 787-9 is expected this summer as Boeing continues to make progress on building the first aircraft. Boeing recently began key system tests on the first aircraft, ZB001, and they also began flight tests of the two engine types that will power the 787-9.

Boeing has begun to build the second 787-9 test aircraft, ZB002, on the same line. A third aircraft will be built for flight tests which will be designated as ZB021. The first 2 aircraft will be powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engines. The fourth 787-8, ZA004, has been fitted to fly with the first Package C standard engines which will be standard Rolls Royce Powerplant engines for the 787-9. Package C has 74,000 pounds of thrust, and it will have a 1% better fuel burn compared to the Package B engine. The aircraft is expected to begin certification flights within the next week or two.

June 30 Update:

Orders as of June 30, 2013.

Aeroméxico	6
Air China	15
Air France-KLM	25
Air New Zealand	10
ALC	12
All Nippon Airways	30
American Airlines	30
Arik Air	7
British Airways	16
VIP Customers	3
Etihad Airways	41
ILFC	41
Japan Airlines	20
Jet Airways	10
Korean Air	10
LAN Airlines	4
Nakash	2
Saudia	8
Singapore Airlines Group	10
Unidentified Customers	13
United Airlines	24
Vietnam Airlines	8
Virgin Atlantic Airways	16