ANA Begins 787 Service

The second of All Nippon Airways’ 787-8’s was delivered back on October 15, and is seen here just before taking off for Tokyo-Haneda. While the first revenue flight of the 787, a special charter between Haneda and Hong Kong, took place on October 26, All Nippon Airways is now in the process of actually putting the pair of special-livery 787s into regular service.

Operations are beginning on domestic routes within Japan, while crews get trained and ANA analyzes all aspects of the new aircraft’s initial performance – similar to what other airlines have done in recent years with the A380.

JA802A (msn: 34497) has spent the last few days flying routes usually served by A320 or 777-200 equipment, between Haneda and Hiroshima and Haneda and Okayama. Sister aircraft JA801A (msn: 34488), the first delivered 787, had a minor but well-publicized landing gear malfunction several days ago while en route to Okayama.

ANA expects to begin long-haul service with the 787 on January 21st, 2012, with the first route being Haneda-Frankfurt.

Photographer: Alex Kwanten