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Boeing's first-ever Dreamliner flight was 10 years ago this week
Zach Wichter
Aviation Industry Reporter
Zach has been interested in things that go since he was a kid. He previously worked at The New York Times and spent much of his time there covering the aviation industry, including contributing to the paper’s reporting on the 737 Max crisis at Boeing. He grew up in Bethpage, on Long Island, and graduated from Northwestern University in 2013 where he majored in journalism and gender and sexuality studies.
Dec. 16, 2019
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4 min read
Boeing's first-ever Dreamliner flight was 10 years ago this week
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It was ten years ago this past weekend that Boeing's 787 took to the skies for the first time ever. The jet's maiden flight happened on Dec. 15, 2009, though it would not enter regular passenger service until about two years later.
The Dreamliner, as the jet is also known, was the first to be made primarily of carbon composites. Despite being slow to enter service because of production issues, the 787 has been become one of the world's most-popular aircraft for overseas flying. It has led to new, direct international routes between smaller markets that previously required multi-leg itineraries.
Carbon composite airplanes like the 787 can also be kept at higher humidity and cabin pressure as compared to their traditional aluminum counterparts, meaning many passengers find the planes more comfortable.
The first passenger flights were operated by All Nippon Airways on Oct. 26, 2011, on a special one-time charter from Tokyo (NRT) to Hong Kong. The plane entered normal commercial service in November of that year.
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Boeing's 787 entered service just a few years after the Airbus A380, putting the two manufacturers' conflicting strategies into stark relief. Boeing bet on airlines favoring smaller wide-bodies that could fly "long thin" routes — flights that would be difficult to profitably serve with bigger jets. Airbus favored the idea of huge jets flying between major airports, concluding in part that its "superjumbo" would appeal to carriers looking to increase capacity to slot-restricted airports like London Heathrow, Tokyo Narita and New York JFK.
In the end, airlines saw more potential for the Dreamliner than for the A380. The latter will soon be out of production, and Airbus' new composite A350 began commercial service in 2015, giving airlines a new Airbus option to go up against Boeing's 787 and 777.
Although the 787 has had some issues in its first decade — most notably lithium ion battery issues that led to an early worldwide grounding as well as some ongoing problems with its Rolls Royce Trent engines — it's been a successful aircraft in the market. Just as Boeing promised, the aircraft has helped open numerous new routes that would have been difficult to profitably serve with bigger jets. Some notable Dreamliner routes added in recent years include Chicago O'Hare-Krakow on LOT Polish Airlines; Perth to London on Qantas; and London Heathrow-Charleston, South Carolina, on British Airways.
Nearly 1,000 787s have come off the production line, according to FlightRadar24. ANA is the largest Dreamliner operator with 71 in its fleet, but American Airlines, United Airlines, Japan Airlines and Air Canada and Etihad each count more than three dozen, according to the manufacturer.
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This story was updated to reflect the correct number of 787s that have been produced.
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Best for dining at restaurants
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Go to reviewCard Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
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$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits.Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.