5 Years Of Dreamliner Service

[Grahame Hutchison]

Today marks 5 years since the first Boeing B788 Dreamliner, JA801A, was delivered to launch customer All Nippon Airways on 26th September 2011. ANA took delivery of their 50th Dreamliner, B789 JA882A, on 24th August 2016. ANA currently have 36 B788s and 14 B789s, with 33 more on order including the B787-10. Currently on the production line is L/N 500, which has just had the tail installed, and will be delivered to Air France.

The first commercial Dreamliner service into Australia was operated by Air India, when B788 VT-ANK touched down in Sydney on 30th August 2013. The first Dreamliner service by an Australian airline was operated by Jetstar, when B788 VH-VKA departed Melbourne for the Gold Coast on 13th November 2013. I was fortunate to be onboard this inaugural service, and had the Captain sign my First Flight certificate.

Air New Zealand were the first airline to operate the B789 Dreamliner into Australia, when ZK-NZE arrived in Sydney as NZ103 on 9th August 2014. The last time ZK-NZE operated a service to Australia, the aircraft was a Douglas DC-8-52.

Sydney currently has eight Dreamliner operators, Air India, Jetstar, Air New Zealand, LATAM (LAN), Xiamen Air, United Airlines, All Nippon Airways, and Scoot. By year end, we should see Vietnam Airlines and Japan Airline join the Dreamliner operators at Sydney Airport.

Congratulations to Boeing on the 500th Dreamliner in 5 Years.

Dreamliner operators at Sydney Airport

[James Smith]

Thanks for your 787 tribute, Grahame. Vietnam Airlines is due to commence B789 services to Sydney (and Melbourne) from 2 December, 2016.

Unfortunately, the Japan Airlines timetable for NW shows a B773 operating JA771/772. Hopefully, they have a last minute change of plan.

It would also be good to see an A350 service to Sydney. I have to fly to Adelaide to fly on one in November to Doha and Kilimanjaro. The things you do. My travel agent thinks I'm nuts!

[Grahame Hutchison]

I read that JAL were planning a second service to Sydney, like the old B747 days, and that would be operated by the Dreamliner. Someone also mentioned that Vietnam may mix up the services between the Dreamliner and the A350.

Fingers crossed.

[Robert.M]

While I like the B747, I personally rather fly on a B787. Was lucky enough to fly SYD to SCL on VH-OEG, which wasn't a bad flight but I've noticed both United (when they had the B747) and Qantas tend to have the cabin temperature quite chilly, maybe a B747 thing?

Flight back was on CC-BGH, liked the lighting, the window (where you can tint it to be dark) and the cabin temperature was more comfortable. Only downside with the window is the rainbow (not sure if the correct term) effect.






Rainbow effect

[Terence W]

Great thread Grahame - thanks for posting!

[Kent Broadhead]

Originally Posted by Grahame Hutchison

I read that JAL were planning a second service to Sydney, like the old B747 days, and that would be operated by the Dreamliner. Someone also mentioned that Vietnam may mix up the services between the Dreamliner and the A350.

Fingers crossed.

Thanks for the thread Grahame!

Not being a frequent flyer I haven't yet flown one - NRT-NYC sector booked for December on JAL wll be my first!

[Robert.M]

You won't regret it! You'll enjoy it.

[Phil Stevens]

Being a Pom, my first Dreamliner trip was on Thomson (TUI) and I was underwhelmed - is this just a bucket and spade brigade issue? Are the Jetstar 787s worthy of the hype? My first A350 flight will be on Cathay in December on the first leg to SYD; it will be interesting to compare.