United Debuts Boeing 787 Domestic Flight Schedule
By: Darren Booth
United Airlines unveiled its initial domestic schedule for the new Boeing 787 Dreamliner Thursday.
The long-delayed Boeing aircraft will enter scheduled service November 4 and fly between United's largest U.S. hub cities. Having successfully completed its first test flight, United will take delivery of the first of 50 Dreamliners ordered in September. The airline will receive a total of five by the end of the year. United's parent is United Continental Holdings .
In October, United will announce plans for the official first inaugural 787 flight, which is expected November 4, according to the press release.
"While the Dreamliner's superior operating economics make it ideally suited for international routes, we're pleased to have this opportunity to introduce it on domestic flights," says Grant Whitney, United's managing director of scheduling, in a press release.
United's 787 fleet will be based in Houston. The first flight on November 4 will depart from Houston's George Bush Intercontinental Airport at 7:25 a.m. headed for Chicago O'Hare International Airport.
In addition to the Chicago flight, passengers flying from Houston to Cleveland, Denver, Los Angeles, Newark, San Francisco and Washington D.C. will be able to experience the Dreamliner in November and December before the majority of its flying is transferred to international routes.
The 787 features include improved lighting, larger windows with automatic darkening shades, large overhead bins, lower cabin altitude and enhanced ventilation, providing higher humidity settings to help reduce the effects of long-haul flying.
United's website will begin offering domestic seats on the 787 aircraft Saturday, September 1. For flight times and other specifics, click here.
