787-9 first commercial flight AKL-SYD 9 Aug
Jul 24, 2014, 7:05 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Sydney, Australia
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787-9 first commercial flight AKL-SYD 9 Aug
This is interesting. As per GDS, the first 789 pax flight is ANA on 4 Aug. UA is to follow on 20 Sep and NZ on 15 Oct. It does make the launch customer NZ look a bit stupid. ANA has even prepared a press release for the first 789 passenger flight.
NZ jumped the gun and quickly pointed out this morning on Twitter that the first commercial flight will be AKL-SYD on 9 Aug and that the NH flight will be a charter not a commercial flight. The AKL-SYD flight is still not loaded.
I am not sure how NZ managed to let NH steal their thunder. Was the first flight meant to be a surprise? Did they not think nowadays many people have access to GDS?
NZ jumped the gun and quickly pointed out this morning on Twitter that the first commercial flight will be AKL-SYD on 9 Aug and that the NH flight will be a charter not a commercial flight. The AKL-SYD flight is still not loaded.
I am not sure how NZ managed to let NH steal their thunder. Was the first flight meant to be a surprise? Did they not think nowadays many people have access to GDS?
Jul 24, 2014, 7:58 pm
#2
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: New Zealand (most of the time)
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I heard originally Air NZ wanted 2 aircraft before they launched, but that in itself seems illogical since they only need a single aircraft for the Perth run.
Jul 24, 2014, 9:04 pm
#4
Join Date: Feb 2007
Programs: NZ Koru
Posts: 6,411
Well flightaware is showing NZ 787-9 to SYD this afternoon, must be for route proving though.
NZ6021
NZ6021
Jul 25, 2014, 8:52 pm
#7
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: WLG (previously SOU and PLH)
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Posts: 532
Having booked the akl-per-akl flight on 15th oct for the purpose of taking the inaugural flight, this news is somewhat annoying.
Is there any firm confirmation that NZ103 on 9th August is the first flight? Not showing up on the booking engine yet...
Is there any firm confirmation that NZ103 on 9th August is the first flight? Not showing up on the booking engine yet...
Jul 25, 2014, 8:57 pm
#8
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http://www.ausbt.com.au/air-new-zeal...n=home-flipper
Not only that, the above report suggests NZ may start 789 AKL-PER services earlier.
Jul 25, 2014, 9:34 pm
#9
Moderator, Hilton Honors
Join Date: Nov 2003
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This is interesting. As per GDS, the first 789 pax flight is ANA on 4 Aug. UA is to follow on 20 Sep and NZ on 15 Oct. It does make the launch customer NZ look a bit stupid. ANA has even prepared a press release for the first 789 passenger flight.
NZ jumped the gun and quickly pointed out this morning on Twitter that the first commercial flight will be AKL-SYD on 9 Aug and that the NH flight will be a charter not a commercial flight. The AKL-SYD flight is still not loaded.
I am not sure how NZ managed to let NH steal their thunder. Was the first flight meant to be a surprise? Did they not think nowadays many people have access to GDS?
NZ jumped the gun and quickly pointed out this morning on Twitter that the first commercial flight will be AKL-SYD on 9 Aug and that the NH flight will be a charter not a commercial flight. The AKL-SYD flight is still not loaded.
I am not sure how NZ managed to let NH steal their thunder. Was the first flight meant to be a surprise? Did they not think nowadays many people have access to GDS?
Jul 26, 2014, 2:50 am
#10
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: WLG (previously SOU and PLH)
Programs: NZ Elite, QFWP, IHG Plat, *wood Gold
Posts: 532
Yes, inaugural revenue flight will be on 9 Aug but they won't say which flight they will sub.
http://www.ausbt.com.au/air-new-zeal...n=home-flipper
Not only that, the above report suggests NZ may start 789 AKL-PER services earlier.
http://www.ausbt.com.au/air-new-zeal...n=home-flipper
Not only that, the above report suggests NZ may start 789 AKL-PER services earlier.
I am keen to be on the first flight and would likely still keep my flight to PER as this keeps me Gold.
If I find anything concrete out (doubtful) I will let you all know...
Jul 26, 2014, 10:42 pm
#11
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Australia
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Its been said by Air NZ all along that there will be proving flights on AKL-SYD-AKL prior to the AKL-PER starting on October 15. But these would be more 'luck of the draw' upgrades on the day with no guarantees to pax of being on a 787-9 flight.
Jul 27, 2014, 1:53 am
#12
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: WLG (previously SOU and PLH)
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Also surprised / saddened that other airlines will beat NZ to the first flight.
But I suppose it is only an aeroplane!
Jul 28, 2014, 12:04 am
#13
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 232
Looks like the aircraft is now at Ohakea Airbase. Does anyone know why?
http://flightaware.com/live/flight/ZKNZE
http://flightaware.com/live/flight/ZKNZE
Jul 28, 2014, 1:10 am
#14
Join Date: Sep 2011
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Ohakea Airbase is a potential diversion airfield if Auckland and Christchurch are closed, so I'm guessing it was testing something around this.
It has now left Ohakea Airbase and is heading to Auckland, however the flightpath is taking it towards Hobart.
It has now left Ohakea Airbase and is heading to Auckland, however the flightpath is taking it towards Hobart.