United Airlines gets 1st 787
Source: AP-Excite
By JOSHUA FREED
U.S. travelers are going to be seeing a lot more of the 787, the lightweight jet built to reduce flier fatigue and airline fuel bills.
United this week became the first U.S. airline to get the newest Boeing plane. Flights between United hubs, including Houston and Chicago, begin Nov. 4. United joins All Nippon Airways, which starts U.S. flights on Monday, and Japan Airlines, which already flies the 787 from Boston to Tokyo.
After years of delays, Boeing Co. (BA) (BA) has begun delivering a handful of 787s every month. With more than 800 sold to airlines around the world, it will eventually be a plane that travelers encounter regularly. The 787 seats 219 passengers - making it relatively small for a long-range plane but ideal on routes where it's tough to fill a larger 777.
Boeing claims the Dreamliner will be 20 percent more fuel efficient than comparable jets. And it promises a better travel experience, with more space, better lighting and carefully calibrated air pressure that should lead to fewer flier headaches.
FULL story at link.
Read more: http://apnews.excite.com/article/20120927/DA1IDSMG2.html
In this undated photo provided by Boeing Commercial Airplanes, the first Boeing 787 that will be used by United Airlines, is shown taking off. U.S. travelers are going to be seeing a lot more of the 787, the ultra-lightweight jet that aims to reduce flier fatigue and airline fuel bills. United announced the week ofThursday, Sept. 27, 2012, that it has become the first U.S. airline to get the newest Boeing plane, and flights from Houston to Chicago will begin November 4. The carrier joins All Nippon Airlines and Japan Airlines, who have started 787 service from U.S. cities, or will soon. (AP Photo/Boeing, Matthew Thompson)
hatrack
(59,592 posts)It's the American (and the United and the Delta) Way!
AndyTiedye
(23,500 posts)You aren't getting fatter (well, at least I'm not), the seats are getting narrower.
http://www.seatguru.com
See how the newer versions of the same aircraft often have narrower and more closely-spaced seats in economy.
The European carriers do it too. Lufthansa, Iberia, and Air France feature economy seats that are just as narrow and crammed together as any American carrier.
JustAnotherGen
(31,880 posts)Going to fly with them ever again.
Berlum
(7,044 posts)I've had lots of bad experiences with United -- but I'm not at the breaking point yet. What cheesed you off for good?
JustAnotherGen
(31,880 posts)US Customs and Border's authority when my husband and I traveled back from Belize on our honeymoon in April. Not only that - CBP has documented it, the shenanigan's in the Belize City Airport that have been going on since October of last year, and we've filed a formal complaint. Their Belize City airport staff 'picks on' US Green Card Holders - big mistake? They took a look at my complexion and assumed I was one too. Normally they go after TWO green card holders and shake them down for a few thousand.
This time they picked one Green Card Holder from Italy JUST married to his American Wife - and whose wife's job title at a major telecom is Import, Export, Hazardous Materials, and Freight Controls U.S. Departments of Treasury, Commerce, and Homeland Security.
For shizzle - they're BUSTED! Wait for something from CBP in the next few months on this investigation.
BlueStreak
(8,377 posts)Blue_Tires
(55,445 posts)Now if only more carriers would start buying the 747-8
Populist_Prole
(5,364 posts)Assembly is still done here. I could see Renton/Seattle becoming more marginalized in favor of their new SC plant and the next step from their Charleston plant would be offshore. Boeing has been saying for awhile they'd eventually like to be a virtual manufacturer...just a design bureau in a shiny office park in Chicagoland.
4lbs
(6,861 posts)FiveGoodMen
(20,018 posts)(And Auric Goldfinger)