United’s First Boeing 787 Dreamliner Completes Initial Production Stage

United Airlines, a member of the Star Alliance, announced that Boeing completed the final assembly of the airline’s first  787 Dreamliner on October 12, finishing the first major stage in the aircraft’s production.

United is scheduled to be the first North American carrier to take delivery of a  787 and the airline plans to introduce the first of 50 Dreamliners into revenue service in 2012.

While in final assembly, the aircraft moved through four factory positions, including the final aircraft body join, landing gear installation, weight-on-wheels testing and installation of interior components and systems. Over the next several months, the aircraft will move to the next phase of completion, which includes final cabin configuration, installation of engines and painting.

Boeing will configure United’s first 787 with 36 seats in BusinessFirst, 63 seats in Economy Plus and 120 seats in Economy.  The aircraft’s use of lightweight composites, together with more electric systems, modern engines and improved aerodynamic design, allows it to fly farther, faster, and more efficiently than older wide-body aircraft.  The Dreamliner also features improved lighting, bigger windows, larger overhead bins, lower cabin altitude, and enhanced ventilation systems, all for greater passenger comfort.