Unlike my first-hand experience on United’s inaugural of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner this past November, I’ve been following the action of its re-debut today on Twitter.
United Airlines Flight#1 departed the gate in Houston this morning on-time at 11:00 a.m. and was airborne 13 minutes later.
Prior to departure from gate E7, a ceremony of sorts took place with the crew, CEO Jeff Smisek and Boeing’s chief James McNerney. One of the zinger comments from Smisek during the event was something to the effect of, “this (the 787) was an expensive piece of tarmac sculpture,†according to several accounts.
Well, it’s certainly sculpture no more and will be arriving on-time at O’Hare within the hour. The same aircraft turns around as United Flight# 2 headed back to Houston at 3:40 p.m.
I’ll be keen on reading the reports from my inaugural buddies @airchive and @airwaysjack who are both on the flight. And CNBC reporter Phil LeBeau will have updates as well, featuring interviews with Smisek and McNerney.
After initial domestic runs, United will shift its 787 flying to primarily international routes as previously planned.
I’d book a 787 flight… would you?
Related posts:
United Dreamliner Inaugural Flight Review: Houston to Chicago on November 4, 2012
United 787 Dreamliner Inaugural Takeoff Video
Seats Are Aplenty on Re-Debut of United 787 Dreamliner
— Follow Darren Booth on Twitter, @FrequentlyFlyin, for more airline, hotel and travel industry news, reviews and opinions.
yes! without hesitation.
Yes!!! quicker than I’d book on some other planes.
Loved it the first time and would do it again anytime!
Love Simsek’s comment. Nice airplane – someday. It will be a while before we see many of them in domestic US service, so the shake-out can continue without much affect on most of us. While I do not distrust the Deamliner, it will likely be a while before I have to make the 787 vs. other choice. Ask me again in a year, once the airplane’s type-clock has a few more hours and another 50+ airframes have entered active service. Even then, the vast majority will be in foreign and/or international service. Boeing has a lit at stake here – and a lot yet to prove. Time will tell…
@Cook: They definitely are designed to be an international workhorse, but domestic “tags” will likely remain on some routes over time.