Keeping the same wingspan as the 787-8, the 787-9 is a lengthened and strengthened variant with a 20 feet (6.1 m) longer fuselage and a 54,500 pounds (24,700 kg) higher maximum take-off weight (MTOW), seating 296 passengers in a typical three-class arrangement over a 7,635 nautical miles (8,786 mi; 14,140 km) range.[207] It features active boundary-layer control on the tail surfaces, reducing drag.[300] It is targeted to replace the Boeing 767-300ER.

In 2005, the entry into service (EIS) was planned for 2010. The firm configuration was finalized on July 1, 2010.[301] By October 2011, deliveries were scheduled to begin in 2014.[302]

The prototype 787-9 made its maiden flight from Paine Field on September 17, 2013.[303] By November 8, 2013, it had flown 141 hours.[304] A 787-9 was on static display at the 2014 Farnborough Air Show prior to first delivery.[305] On July 8, 2014, Launch customer Air New Zealand took its first 787-9, in a distinctive black livery in a ceremony at Paine Field.[306] Its first commercial flight was from Auckland to Sydney on August 9, 2014.[307]

The 787-9 was to begin commercial service with All Nippon Airways on August 7, 2014.[308] United Airlines was to start the longest nonstop scheduled 787 service between Los Angeles and Melbourne in October 2014.[309] Air China started a 787-9 route between Beijing and Chengdu in May 2016.[310] As of October 2019, 57% of all 787 orders are for the 787-9, with 498 deliveries. A 2014 787-9 leased for $1.05 million per month, and fell to $925,000 per month in 2018.[311]

The 20-ft stretch was achieved by adding a 10-ft (five-frame) extension forward and aft. The 787-8 and 787-9 have 50% commonality: the wing, fuselage and systems of the 787-8 had required radical revision to achieve the payload-range goals of the 787-9. Following a major revamp of the original 787-8 wing, the latest configuration for the 787-9 and -10 is the fourth design evolution.[312]

On March 25, 2018, a Qantas 787-9 completed the first scheduled non-stop flight between Australia and the UK flying seventeen hours from Perth to London Heathrow.[313] On October 20, 2019, a Qantas 787-9 was flight tested from New York to Sydney with a restricted payload. A team of researchers monitored passengers and crew to investigate wellness and performance on long flights.[314] On March 16, 2020, an Air Tahiti Nui 787-9 achieved the longest commercial flight of 8,485 nmi (15,715 km).[315]

CONTROLS

Same as the 787-8

CREDITS

No Credits today

Enjoy!