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10-Jul-2012 8:57 AM

United Airlines to receive first 787 in late Sep-2012, five 787s to be in service by year-end

United Airlines announced (09-Jul-2012) details about its induction of the aircraft into the company's fleet and revealed a specially-designed livery for the aircraft. Details include:

  • Delivery scheduled: United is scheduled to take delivery of its first Boeing 787 in late Sep-2012. United has been the launch customer for more than a dozen Boeing aircraft models, and was the first airline to operate the 767 and 777 aircraft. This tradition continues with United being the North America launch customer of the 787. United is planning to place five 787s into service in 2012, and has firm orders for a total of 50 new 787s, with deliveries scheduled through 2019;
  • Processes following delivery: Following delivery of the first aircraft in Sep-2012, the company will conduct a variety of tests and training, including completing US FAA conformity checks and proving runs. The company will then enter the 787 into scheduled service in autumn 2012;
  • Aircraft configuration: The aircraft cabin is being installed on the first aircraft, and will be configured with 36 seats in United BusinessFirst, 72 seats in United Economy Plus and 111 seats in United Economy;
  • Livery/design: Cabin colour selections use a palette of blue and grey and are consistent with other new United aircraft. The airline's 787 fleet will feature a customised livery that is exclusive to the fleet;
  • Delivery preparations: In preparation for delivery of the first 787, United installed a full-flight simulator at its Houston hub and is training pilots on operation of the aircraft. Flight attendants and mechanics have trained in 787 systems and operations, with additional training scheduled to continue through the remainder of the year. In addition, United is preparing to provide 787 maintenance support from its Houston base, and the airline is warehousing more than 1180 different spare parts for the aircraft;
  • Route deployment: The carrier said the 787 will "open up new non-stop destinations that customers would not be able to otherwise reach on United, such as the recently-announced Denver-to-Tokyo service that starts next spring". [more - original PR]

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