In early December Boeing will begin a six-month Dream Tour with its Boeing 787 Dreamliner around the world.
The December schedule for the 787 Dream Tour includes six stops in Asia, Africa and the Middle East:
Dec. 4-11: China with stops in Beijing, Guangzhou and Haikou to visit customers, partners, and government officials including representatives from Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC), Air China, China Southern, Hainan Airlines, Aviation Industries of China (AVIC) and Chengdu Aircraft Industrial Co. (CAC).
Dec. 11-16: Africa with stops in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and Nairobi, Kenya to visit Ethiopian Airlines and Kenya Airways.
Dec. 16-19: Middle East stop in Doha to visit Qatar Airways.
Additional tour stops for January to April 2012 and will be announced later.
Many of the stops will include opportunities for local media to tour the airplane and talk with Boeing executives and pilots.
The Dream Tour airplane, ZA003, has been retrofitted with special interior features designed to highlight the unique cabin features and performance capabilities of the Dreamliner. The flight test equipment on board ZA003, the third Boeing 787 built, has been removed and a stunning new interior has been installed. The airplane also has been repainted in the standard Boeing livery.
“Our flight test airplane has turned into a show piece,” said Scott Fancher, vice president and general manager of the 787 program. “Anyone who has seen the inside of a flight test airplane will be amazed at the transformation. All of the 787 passenger features are here.”
Visitors will be greeted by the spacious signature 787 entryway sky light and gathering area. The LED lighting, standard on all 787s, will be demonstrated throughout the tour airplane. Visitors will experience the dynamic affect of this new technology to make meal time more enjoyable, sooth passengers during restful periods and gently wake them following a long flight.
Visitors also will find a luxurious business-class cabin with a dozen lay-flat seats, an overhead crew rest compartment and an economy class section. A large open space between the two economy class sections allows Boeing to spotlight the features of the 787 with displays and demonstrations.
Photo: Boeing