United takes first 787

On September 22, United Airlines took ownership of its first Boeing 787-822 Dreamliner, which was registered N20904. United is the first US-based airlines to operate the Dreamliner. United is the 6th global airline to receive the 787 and will be placed into domestic service starting in November 4  before rolling out to international service on December 4 . United has announced it will initially use the 787 on international routes to Africa, Asia and Europe. The airline will conduct temporary domestic flights before transitioning its 787 fleet to international service. United will take delivery of 1 more 787 in Octobers, 2 in Novmeber and 1 more in December. The Boeing 787 Dreamliner is the first mid-size airplane capable of flying long-range routes and will allow airlines to open new, non-stop routes preferred by the traveling public. In addition to providing airlines with unprecedented fuel economy and low operating costs, the 787 features a lot of new technologies that greatly enhance the passenger experince. This delivery marks the first of 50 Dreamliners that United has on order. The airline's 787 cabin is configured with 36 seats in United First Business Class, 72 seats in United Economy Plus Class and 111 seats in United Economy Class. Customers will be more comfortable with improved lighting, bigger windows, larger overhead bins, lower cabin altitiude and enhanced ventilation systmes, among other features. United's first Dreamliner is expected to arrive in Houston later this week to begin a month-long training and certification program including non-commercial flights to each of United's domestic hubs.

 

Bombardier CSeries completes asssembly of the 1st fuselage

Bombardier confirms that the final section of the Bombardier CSeries structural test aircraft should be done by the end of September, and the final assembly should be almost completed by the end of October. The flight test vehicle (FTV-1) should take its first flight at the end of its production. Finishing the first complete airframe static test (CAST) aircraft should be a critical step reaching the first flight of the Bombardier CSeries in less than 103 days. The CSeries manufacturing team has completed the assembly of the CAST fuselage 50% faster than what was expected. The entry-into-service date most of the time is about 12 months after its first flight. Bombardier has invested a lot in their ground simulation systems that could shorten the time to achieve airworthiness certification.

'Throwback Thursday' Concorde

In March 2, 1969 the first Concorde took flight. Then on January 21, 1976 the first Concorde was delivered British Airways. The price for the Concorde in 1977 was £23 million. Then in November 26, 2003 the Concorde made its last flight.

LAN receives first 787

 LAN Airlines has received their first 787-816 Dreamliner registered as CC-BBA, becoming the first operator of the 787 in the Americas. LAN is currently the fourth airline to  receive the 787. LAN's first 787 is configured with 30 business class seats and 217 economy class seats. The cabin interior, which will feature a full lie-flat seat in business class, which will be featured on LAN's new 767-316ER deliveries. LAN will be the first 787 operator to offer an in-flight entertainment solution. The touch-screen monitor will allow passengers to stream their content from their personal devices onto the screen. LAN has orders for 32 787s, comprising 21 787-8s and 10 787-9s with Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engines. LAN plans to operate the aircraft to Buenos Aires, Lima, Los Angeles, Madrid and Frankfurt.

'Throwback Thursday' 747

In February 9, 1969 the first Boeing 747-100 did its first flight. Then on January 22, 1970 the first Boeing 747-100 was delivered to Pan Am. The price of that first Boeing 747-100 generation was 24 million dollars.