Boeing 787 Dreamliner Takes First Paid Flight

 

Above, the 787 on its maiden flight to Japan. Video courtesy of Boeing.

The Boeing Co. Dreamliner, the world's first carbon-composite airliner, took its first paying customers from Tokyo to Hong Kong on Oct. 26.

The carbon–composite Dreamliner, owned by All Nippon Airways Co (ANA), is 20 percent more fuel efficient and costs 30 percent less in maintenance, reported Reuters. The airline said the plane’s ambient light sooths passengers to sleep.

Also, higher air pressure  on the 240 passenger plane makes the interior feel like 6,000 feet rather than 8,000, according to Reuters. Other amenities include 30 percent bigger windows that can be dimmed electronically, passenger to passenger email, bidets and windows in the bathrooms, and larger personal entertainment systems.

The first Dreamliner flight was a hot commodity with 25,505 people vying for 100 seats, according to Reuters. Theses seats, priced at 78,700 yen or $1,037, sold out immediately. ANA also sold a pair of tickets for charity for 890,000 yen or $11,693.601.

The aircraft landed in Hong Kong to much fanfare: a fire engine shower, drums and dancing lions.

Visit www.boeing.com