First Boeing 787 Dreamliner arrives in Japan

More than three years after its original proposed delivery date, Boeing's 787 Dreamliner made its maiden trans-Pacific flight and touched down in Tokyo's Haneda Airport on Sunday to start test flights with All Nippon Airways. The flight video, from Seattle to Haneda and recorded by ANA, was put onto Ustream.

The initial May 2008 delivery target was repeatedly pushed back while problems in development were solved. Sunday's arrival marks a key step in the Dreamliner's route to operation. The plane is made mostly of carbon fiber and other composite materials rather than aluminum, which makes it lighter and 20 percent more fuel-efficient than other similar-sized airliners, according to Boeing.

The 56-meter-long jet will be tested at five airports, including Osaka's Kansai and Hiroshima during its six-day itinerary in Japan, according to news reports.Boeing has received orders for 835 Dreamliners, 55 of which are going to ANA -- the first airline that will put the Dreamliner into operation.

"ANA is proud to be the first airline in the world that will operate the 787," said Shinichiro Ito, ANA president and CEO. "The Dreamliner is an integral part of our plans to become Asia's number one airline and will allow us to bring new standards of comfort and service to our passengers." The first batch of Boeing 787 Dreamliners will be used on domestic routes, from September or October, according to ANA.

Source = cnngo