9/26/2011: Boeing Hands Over the First 787 Dreamliner to ANA

DALLAS — Today, in 2011, Boeing celebrated the delivery of the first 787 Dreamliner to launch customer All Nippon Airways (NH) at a ceremony beside its Everett, Washington, factory. The two companies had signed the contractual delivery documents the day before.

More than 500 employees from the 787 program walked alongside the aircraft to present it to ANA executives as what Boeing described as a crowd of thousands looked on. Airways' Chris Sloan covered the handover from Everett.

Boeing's schedule opened the day with a static display of ZA002, a flight-test 787 painted in ANA colors. A second 787 in ANA's special livery was slated to join the display for the ceremony.

While the weather may not have been ideal for an outdoor ceremony, the conditions could not dampen the mood of those in attendance who had worked so hard on the project. Photo: Chris Sloan/The Airchive

An Aviation Milestone

Boeing Chairman, President and CEO Jim McNerney called the 787 "the biggest innovation in commercial aviation since the Boeing 707 introduced the world to passenger jet travel more than 50 years ago." Boeing described the aircraft, built from composite materials, as the first mid-size airplane capable of flying long-range routes.

The program had not run smoothly. ANA had originally expected its first 787 in May 2008, and the delivery slipped seven times because of engineering and supply chain problems and a 58-day labor strike in 2008. The 787 did not fly for the first time until December 2009.

For passengers, Boeing pointed to cleaner cabin air, higher humidity and a lower cabin altitude, along with larger windows with electrochromic shades, bigger overhead bins and LED lighting.

Launch Customer

ANA launched the program, then known as the 7E7, on April 26, 2004, with a firm order for 50 aircraft. Boeing called it the largest launch order in its history for a new commercial jet. By the time of the handover, ANA had 55 787s on order.

At a briefing before the ceremony, ANA Senior Vice President Satoru Fujiki said the airline had made a strategic decision to be the first to fly the 787 as part of its aim to become Asia's top carrier for customer satisfaction, quality and value. He said part of the aircraft's appeal in Japan came from the country's role in building it. Mitsubishi, Kawasaki and Fuji Heavy Industries were among the Japanese companies supplying 30% of the 787's parts.

On the morning of September 27, JA801A left Paine Field for Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND) with ANA employees on board. A month later, ANA flew the 787's first revenue flight.