Originally Posted by
why fly
I wonder why they do this? Just to make sure there are no bugs on the ground that might come up?
That is the question I was asking. It looks like they are throwing it into a TPAC cycle (The 788 fins cycle between TPAC and TATL). Given the similarities between the 788/789, I don't think its de-bugging.
I'm thinking that they have a buffer between delivery and the new 787-9 specific routes, so they might as well put it through its paces. If there's a delay on delivery, they aren't impacted. It might also be an opportunity for real world cost analysis by comparing against data accumulated on frequent 787-9 route.
And as usual, with this opinion and $2, you can get a cup of coffee at Tims....