1st Feb 2012 - ANA have now received their first five Boeing 787 Dreamliners and are about to start new international routes using this brand new aircraft. We take this opportunity to look back to the weekend of 25th September 2011 when celebrations were held to mark the delivery of the first Dreamliner to the Japanese carrier.
After years of delays and frustration Boeing’s Everett plant, located in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States finally played host to the delivery celebrations marking the delivery of the first Boeing 787 Dreamliner. Boeing and launch customer ANA - All Nippon Airlines, went all-out marking such a significant milestone in both companies history with three days of festivities. Press conferences, factory and aircraft tours, the official handover ceremony and finally the trans-pacific delivery flight from Everett to Tokyo’s Haneda airport were just some of the activities hosted by representatives of both companies.
Day One began early with press conferences and briefing sessions. Delegates were on hand from Boeing, ANA and Rolls Royce and they provided information and updates on the current status of the program The highlight for many was a talk from Chief Pilot 787 program Mike Carriker, who gave an insight on what its been like to fly this revolutionary aircraft through it's entire test program.
Scott Fancher Vice president and general manager of the 787 Dreamliner program then introduced Satoru Fujiki, ANA senior vice president who provided information on the airline’s progress with preparations to receive their first Dreamliner. He explained the routes that the first aircraft were going to be utilized for would be Haneda – Hiroshima and Haneda - Okayama and he gave details on how he expected the customer experience would differ when being compared to older aircraft in the ANA fleet.
Bill Boyd, Rolls-Royce VP of Boeing Programs traveled across from Derby, England for the weekend and began his presentation by saying “how proud his company were to be part of the Dreamliner program.” He went on to explain that Rolls Royce have been powering Boeing jetliners since 1956 and have been installed on ANA's aircraft since 1961. Talking specifically about the Trent 1000, one of the engines certified for the 787, he explained that the engine is “excelling in environmental standards on noise level and emissions which have both been reduced. Fuel economy has increased over the currently available engines and Rolls-Royce are continuing to look to the future researching the use of bio fuels." One interesting fact revealed was that Rolls Royce monitors the performance all of their engines installed on aircraft around the globe using real time data links. Rolls Royce Trent 1000 turbofans were installed on the very first 787 (ZA001-N787BA) and powered the maiden flight back in December 2009. Since then, they have been fitted to five of the seven development aircraft, logging more than 3900 hours of problem free flight hours during 1300 flights.
Scott Fancher then chaired a question and answer session. During this time many of the revolutionary design features on the Dreamliner were discussed. Boeing representatives explained that the interior cabin pressure on the Dreamliner would be held below 6000ft rather than the standard 8000ft on current airliners. As a result of this passengers will arrive at their destinations feeling less fatigue than is currently the case. Research has also shown that the increased pressure results in the number of passengers experiencing headaches being way lower when flying on the Dreamliner.
Following lunch, a short bus ride took members of the press to the 787 production line inside the largest building in the worldby volume at 13,385,378 m3 (472,370,319 cu ft).The Everett factory is so big that it is able to house full production lines for 767, 777, 747-8 and now the 787. This was a major event as it’s the first time that members of the media have been permitted to take photographs and movies of the Dreamliner operation from the shop floor.
Once we had walked along the entire length of the 787 line we were shown how the major components delivered from all over the world are assembled into a complete aircraft. During the visit aircraft from Air India, United Airlines, Ethiopian Airlines and ANA were at various stages of completion.
Another short bus ride out onto the flight line delivered us to the air stairs attached to the forward door of JA802A, ANA’s second Dreamliner. Once again this was the first opportunity to photograph the interior of the aircraft. ANA flight attendants were on hand to demonstrate some of the new technology on the aircraft. This included the Boeing Sky interior lighting and the electronic window shades. One thing that was striking was the obviously larger size of the Dreamliner’s windows when compared to those of existing other airliners.
The day ended with a reception hosted by Rolls-Royce at the Dreamliner Gallery. This is a unique building and is where 787 customers come to select everything that turns an empty shell of an airframe into the final product aircraft able to accept fare paying passengers. Demonstrations of the Boeing Sky lighting systems were especially impressive as were the huge selection of available seating options. This is also where we got our first view of the crew rest area. Installed in the ceiling above first class it provides three good sized beds. ANA decided not to go with the option on their first two aircraft as they are fitted out for the shorter range domestic market.
Day Two saw the actual delivery to ANA. On a stage outside the factory building in terrible, though not un-typical Pacific Northwest weather Jim Albloug - President and Cheif Executive Officer Boeing Commercial Airplanes, presented the ceremonial key to the aircraft to ANA's president Shinichiro Ito. In his acceptance speech he said "This aircraft will enable us to offer new standards of service and comfort to our passengers and will play an important role in our international expansion strategy as we seek to become Asia's number one airline". Jim McNerney - Chairman, President and CEO Boeing, started his speech by paying tribute to the hard work of all Boeing employees around the world who have contributed to the Dreamliner project. He ended by thanking ANAs president in Japanese for "waiting for this day".
This was followed in the evening with a dinner reception at the "Fantasy of Flight" building on the north side of the field. Anyone who’s ever taken the Boeing Factory tour will know this is where you board the bus. Part of the evening entertainment involved a spectacular light show projected onto JA801A, ANA's first 787. Though the press weren't invited we were able to get photographs and movies from outside the fence.
DayThree started very early and saw the aircraft leave Everett for it's trans-pacific flight to Japan. As with the previous day the weather was cold and windy but at least the rain stayed away. The flight was scheduled to leave at 6:35am but luckily, there was a 45 minute delay which allowed it to actually be light when the aircraft finally departed. After all of the doors were closed up, JA801A was very carefully pushed back in the limited space outside the 'Fantasy of Flight' building. We were joined on the building's 4th floor 'Strato-Deck by many Boeing employees who watched with us as the aircraft was then towed out onto the taxiway and the engines started up.
In just a few minutes more JA801A was lined up on Paine Fields runway 16R and was ready to leave. With minimal noise the Rolls-Royce Trent 1000s spooled up to take off power and the Dreamliner then smoothly accelerated, rotated and to cheers and aplause from all climbed away, giving a couple of wing waves before disappearing into the clouds. This was the beginning of what Boeing and ANA hope will be a long and successful career for the 787 with the airline.
through it's entire test program. 
