Boeing 787 Dreamliner makes successful first flight

The long-awaited Boeing 787 Dreamliner made its first flight today, The aircraft which is mostly composite flew 10:30pm Gulf time on its maiden flight.

The aircraft landed at 1:35 Gulf time this morning at Boeing Field just south of Seattle Having climbed to 13,200ft. The West coast of the USA is 12 hours behind Gulf time.

The programme will now begin a 12-month series of tests prior to certification. The Dreamliner programme has been plagued with delays – it has taken the best part of two and a half years to get in the air from the time final assembly began. Following problems with the supply chain – and more recently structural issues.

Several Middle Eastern carriers – led by Qatar’s CEO Akhbar al Baker have warned that further delays could put their orders at risk. Today’s successful first flight will have done a lot to reassure them that the American manufacturer is back on line with the production of the aircraft that the airlines so badly need. Boeing has received 840 firm orders from 56 customers. The twin-engined 787-8 will carry 210 to 250 passengers nonstop between 14,200 km (7,670nm) and 15,200km (8,200nm).