United Airlines has announced it has taken delivery of its first 787-9 Dreamliner, and in doing so will become the first carrier in North America to fly both the 787-8 and the 787-9 aircraft.
United said it its Dreamliner will go into service later this month.
United will then launch its Los Angeles-Melbourne, Australia route on October 26 with the plane, which will become the world’s longest Dreamliner route so far.
The Dreamliner has a flight range of 8,550 miles compared to the 8,200 mile range of the 787-8s.
United will use the plane in the interim on the Houston-Los Angeles route.
"The 787-9 builds on the Dreamliner’s fuel efficiency and customer comfort while giving us even more flexibility and range," said United Vice President of Fleet Ron Baur.
"Last year our customers gave the 787 the highest customer satisfaction scores of any aircraft in our fleet, and we know they’ll enjoy what the 787-9 has to offer."
