Dubai 2011: Boeing's 787 Dreamliner makes Middle East debut

Carrying manufacturer’s identity ZA003 (the third airframe built and the fourth to enter the test programme) the aircraft flew in for its inaugural trip the Gulf.

This airframe was the first in the test fleet to feature extensive elements of the new airliner’s passenger interior and it’s also the one that flew for the first time into Europe, when it visited the Farnborough Air Show in 2010.

Now that the Dreamliner has entered airline service with launch customer ANA in Japan – albeit after a delay of 40 months – Boeing’s hopes are high that the initial sales momentum will be maintained, especially since Airbus announced a few days ago that its A350XWB would enter service later than originally planned with EIS – the A350-900 in the first half of 2014.

Middle Eastern airlines to have ordered the Dreamliner so far include ALAFCO, Etihad, Gulf Air, Qatar Airways, Royal Jordanian and Saudi Airways.

ZA003 first flew in March 2010 when it left Paine Field in Everett, Washington, and landed at Boeing Field in Seattle just over three hours later. The airframe was the final test aircraft to be fitted with Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engines, the remaining test aircraft being powered by GE’s optional GEnx powerplants.

ZA003 was the only 787 in the initial flight test fleet to include elements of the passenger interior, including cabin and crew support systems.

The Dreamliner is introducing new passenger-friendly features for what Boeing claims will be a more comfortable flying experience. Among the new additions are improved mood lighting, bigger stowage bins, larger windows with electrochromatic shades and redesigned lavatories with easier access.

In addition to demonstrating that the interior meets certification requirements, ZA003 was used to conduct tests on systems, noise performance, flight-deck operations, avionics, electromagnetic effects, high-intensity radio frequency response and extended operations