It’s being billed as one of the most efficient airplanes ever to be built and made its landing in Boston yesterday for what officials called “a morning of aviation history.”
The Boeing 787 Dreamliner will offer nonstop service between Boston and Tokyo starting next month. Logan Airport will be the first in the country to have the 787 used in regular commercial service when Japan Airlines beings flying from Boston on April 22.
It will also be the first nonstop service between Boston and Asia in Logan’s history.
But besides the firsts, the plane is also being touted for its efficiency. It is made mostly of carbon composites rather than aluminum steel, allowing for a reduced body weight.
Officials said the plane is 20 percent more fuel efficient than similar predecessors and that it relies more on electricity to power certain functions.
Ed Freni, the director of aviation for Massport, which operates Logan, said the plane fits well for Logan, which cannot accommodate some of the biggest jumbo jets. He said there were few accommodations that needed to be made at Terminal E, Logan’s international terminal. The airport did have to come up with a way to supply more ground power to the plane while it is at the gate because it relies more on electricity.
“We at Japan [Airlines] are very excited for this new aircraft. From here to Japan it’s almost a 13-hour direct flight,” said Hiroyuki Hioka, Japan Airlines senior vice president.
Why not take her for a ride?
Passengers will get to experience some new features on the 787 aircraft.
Instead of window shades, passengers will be in control of a dimmer switch that can tint the windows, which are also bigger than normal.
Overhead bins are the among the largest in the industry, Boeing officials said.
The plane has a twin aisle design with two classes – business and economy.
The plane is also designed to accommodate bunks for crews on longer flights.
