I’m getting excited for United’s inaugural of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner on November 4! And they sent me a little preview of what to expect at Houston Bush Intercontinental Airport on Sunday morning. First, the basics:
Flight 1116 is scheduled to depart from IAH at 7:20 a.m. with an arrival at Chicago O’Hare at 9:51 a.m. The flight will depart from gate E5 with boarding estimated to begin at 6:35 a.m. But the fun starts earlier than that.
I’ll be at the airport at 5:00 a.m. for a sponsored media event, and then the festivities for everyone (assuming you’re airside) open up, as follows:
At 6:25 a.m., we will begin our pre-departure event. Jeff Smisek, United’s president and chief executive officer, will make remarks at the gate and there will be a ribbon-cutting with members of the crew.
There will be an opportunity to talk with customers, United executives and employees before and after the pre-departure event.
At 6:35 a.m., general boarding will begin. At 7:20 a.m., the flight departs.
Inflight, we will have a brief toast prior to the normal beverage and snack service. After that service is completed, you will have some time to shoot video and take photos inflight. We expect to arrive in Chicago at 9:50 a.m.
After arrival, we will have a short post-arrival event at the gate at Chicago O’Hare International Airport.
I didn’t specifically ask, but I’m hoping United issues inaugural flight certificates to every passenger as they did for the 777 in 1995 (as well as other goodies).
If you’re not flying on the inaugural, be sure to follow me on Twitter as I’ll be tweeting pics and updates throughout the day from Houston and Chicago. And for those of you who will be there, I look forward to meeting you!
In other United 787 news, they took delivery of their second Dreamliner yesterday and it flew to Houston earlier today.
Related posts:
United Airlines Inaugural Boeing 777 Flight in 1995
Can’t wait! Thanks for sharing that info – very helpful. See you there. 😉
@mommypoints: Looking forward to seeing you again!
@Jack: Inaugurals are VERY exciting (not that I need to tell you even though you haven’t flown one). I still vividly remember the 777 inaugural in ’95. You’re gonna have a blast. And if I can help you corner Jeff for a signature, I’ll do it!
@Kris: I look forward to (finally) meeting you!
@ORDnHKG: I’m in first (sorry United… “BusinessFirst”) IAH-ORD, coach ORD-IAH and first again for IAH-LAX.
This will be my very first inaugural flight, and I cannot wait! I hope there will be a water cannon salute, and I can get the crew and Mr. Smisek to sign a picture of the 787 for me. I will see you bright and early Sunday, and don’t forget to turn your clock back an hour. 🙂
Hopefully I’ll be part of the greeting party at ORD. I’ll be in some sort of United, just not sure which.
@ Darren – Are you flying the inaugural in F ?
You were right the first time, being a short haul flight, it is just United First.
@Kris, Yeah, you’re right, but no matter where I’m flying…. those are still BF seats.
This will be my first inaugural flight and I am excited! Looking forward to meeting other like minded people 🙂
@Brittain: Congrats on your first inaugural flight!! They are indeed very exciting. I hope to meet you.
It sounds like it will be quite the party at ORD too! Jeff is supposed to fly with us to ORD, and we will get a water cannon salute! Now, the icing on the cake would be if Mr. Smisek sat next to me!
I’ll be on the flight as well looking forward to seeing you as there. I flew from Connecticut to Houston just for the flight. –Adam
Good stuff Darren! Looking forward to the full report.