The Boeing 787 Dreamliner made its international debut landing at the Farnborough Airport at 9:09 a.m. (local time) in support of the Farnborough International Airshow that begins Monday, July 19.
"It's an honor to showcase the 787 here at the Farnborough Airshow," said Scott Fancher, vice president and general manager of the 787 program, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "I can't think of a finer stage on which to present this highly anticipated airplane."
This is the first international trip made by a Boeing 787 Dreamliner. The airplane came via non-stop flight to Farnborough, United Kingdom, from Seattle.
"We took advantage of the flying time to conduct some flight testing on the way," Fancher said. "We're taking every opportunity to complete our testing requirements when we fly."
The 787 Dreamliner is built by an international team and will provide airlines around the globe with a new level of efficiency in operations, with a 20 percent reduction in fuel use when compared to similar-sized airplanes. The 787 also brings a new level of passenger comfort to travelers including bigger windows and more personal space as well as an environment designed to help them arrive at their destinations feeling refreshed.
Boeing executives and members of the board of directors, dignitaries from the United States and U.K. and a wide variety of media were on hand to welcome Captains Mike Bryan and Ted Grady as they stepped off the airplane and welcomed visitors aboard. About a dozen people traveled on the airplane to conduct testing during the flight.
Fancher and other Boeing executives will provide a media briefing on the 787 at the airshow's main press chalet at 10 a.m. (local time). The airplane, referred to as ZA003, will depart Tuesday afternoon, July 20.
