Wednesday, March 18, 2015

Boeing delivers first South Carolina-built 787-9 Dreamliner to United Airlines

(Boeing)

Boeing has delivered the first 787-9 assembled at its North Charleston, South Carolina facility to United Airlines. The aircraft is the 250th Dreamliner to be delivered.

“In 2012, we delivered our first South Carolina-built 787-8, and less than three years later, we’re celebrating another significant milestone—our first 787-9 delivery, Boeing South Carolina VP and GM Beverly Wyse said.

In the first quarter of 2013, Boeing South Carolina teammates began fabrication, assembly and integration of the aft and mid fuselage sections for the first Boeing 787-9 and delivered them to Everett Final Assembly.

In November 2014, work began on the first South Carolina-built 787-9 when the first aft and mid sections were delivered to Boeing South Carolina Final Assembly.

The aircraft rolled out to the flight line in January 2015 and completed its first flight last month.

United VP-fleet Ron Baur said, “We were the first North American carrier to fly the 787-8 in September 2012 and the first to fly 787-9s in September 2014.

The Dreamliners have allowed us to fly longer distances with greater fuel efficiency and open new direct routes such as Los Angeles to Melbourne, while providing our customers and employees with a more comfortable flying experience.” 
        
This is the fourth 787-9 for United Airlines, in addition to the 12 787-8s it already has in service. 

(Linda Blachly - ATWOnline News) 

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