On Saturday afternoon, Boeing rolled out the first 787 Dreamliner, set to be delivered to All Nippon Airways (ANA) in Japan, for its long-awaited debut.
The 787 Dreamliner is a lightweight airplane that promises 20 percent greater fuel efficiency than similarly sized planes. Made mostly of carbon composites or super durable plastic, the plane is a much more environmentally-friendly and cost effective option for airlines. Boeing is expected to apply the technology to future planes.
The interior includes 264 seats (12 business and 252 economy) with personal television sets, roomier seats, more storage space, an arched entry way with beverage bar, dimmable windows, and larger lavatories.
Boeing showed off the new plane to ANA executives and crew at its Everett factory north of Seattle.
At a price tag of roughly $200 million per plane, Boeing claims more than 800 orders for the 787.
The company is the world's second-largest plane-maker after Airbus.
Three years overdue and billions of dollars over the budget, Boeing's outsourcing of much of the plane's construction to foreign contractors is said to be at blame for the delays and cost overruns. They will deliver the 787 Dreamliner to ANA next month in Tokyo.
Here's a look at the 787 Dreamliner's sunny debut in Seattle:
The first Boeing 787 Dreamliner to be delivered to launch customer All Nippon Airway(ANA) leaves the paint hangar at Boeing's Everett factory August 6, 2011.ReutersAll Nippon Airway (ANA) Senior Executive Vice President Mitsuo Morimoto (2nd L) and Boeing Vice President and General Manager of the 787 program Scott Fancher (2nd R) celebrate the unveiling of the first Boeing 787 Dreamliner to be delivered to launch customer ANA at Boeing's Everett factory August 6, 2011. Boeing presented the plane on Saturday, decked out with the blue and white colors of the Japanese airline, to ANA executives and crew under clear skies at its Everett factory north of Seattle. The first domestic flights are set to start in Japan in September.REUTERSAll Nippon Airway (ANA) flight captain Yoshiro Taneda looks over the first Boeing 787 Dreamliner to be delivered to the Japanese airline at Boeing's Everett factory August 6, 2011. Boeing presented the plane on Saturday, decked out with the blue and white colors of the Japanese airline, to ANA executives and crew under clear skies at its Everett factory north of Seattle. The first domestic flights are set to start in Japan in September.REUTERSAll Nippon Airway (ANA) employee Yong Choi looks at the entertainment controller while seated in the first Boeing 787 Dreamliner to be delivered to the Japanese airline at Boeing's Everett factory August 6, 2011. Boeing presented the plane on Saturday, decked out with the blue and white colors of the Japanese airline, to ANA executives and crew under clear skies at its Everett factory north of Seattle. The first domestic flights are set to start in Japan in September.REUTERSA view shows the passenger cabin of the first Boeing 787 Dreamliner to be delivered to launch customer All Nippon Airway (ANA) after its unveiling at Boeing's Everett factory August 6, 2011. Boeing presented the plane on Saturday, decked out with the blue and white colors of the Japanese airline, to ANA executives and crew under clear skies at its Everett factory north of Seattle.REUTERSThe first Boeing 787 Dreamliner to be delivered to launch customer All Nippon Airway (ANA) leaves the paint hangar at Boeing's Everett factory August 6, 2011. Boeing presented the plane on Saturday, decked out with the blue and white colors of the Japanese airline, to ANA executives and crew under clear skies at its Everett factory north of Seattle.REUTERS
