By Lloyd Burr
The world’s first mostly-composite commercial aircraft – Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner – will fly to New Zealand for the first time in just over three weeks.
Air New Zealand, which has ordered eight Dreamliners, will host Boeing’s test plane at its Auckland engineering base in preparation for the arrival of its actual planes in 2014.
New Zealanders will be among the first in the Southern Hemisphere to see the plane when it flies non-stop into Auckland from Seattle.
Although the plane is a different variant from the one Air New Zealand has ordered, the arrival of the aircraft down under has excited Air New Zealand chief executive Rob Fyfe.
“We’re looking forward to seeing the 787 in our skies for the first time. This is an aircraft which has the exciting environmental advantage of using up to 20 percent less fuel while also being able to carry up to 50 percent more cargo than other jet aircraft of comparative size,” Mr Fyfe says.
Air New Zealand is the launch customer for the larger 787-9 variant, which will have a greater range capability and seating capacity than the 787-8.
Boeing’s vice-president and 787 programme general manager Scott Fancher says he is “thrilled” that the plane will fly to New Zealand.
“While the interior is filled with test equipment and therefore far from showroom standard, the exterior is not only aerodynamically efficient but extremely beautiful and people will be able to see just how different it looks,” Mr Fancher says.
Mr Fyfe says the plane, which will replace the 767 fleet of aircraft, will change the way New Zealanders fly.
“Once the 787-9 goes into service sometime in 2014 it will change how New Zealanders fly and how we bring the world to New Zealand. Its composite structure enables better cabin humidity and lower relative cabin altitude for a more comfortable flying experience,” Mr Fyfe says.
Air New Zealand says the 787 aircraft makes significant use of lightweight high-tech composite materials to deliver operating efficiencies and customer comfort, including higher humidity levels and a more comfortable, lower cabin altitude.
The Dreamliner will fly into Auckland on November 12. The exact time will be released by Air New Zealand closer to the time.
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