AA's First 787 Takes Flight

miaami · Tue Jan 06, 2015 11:26 pm

Today the first AA 787 took to the skies for the first time. I wonder if the 787's will start replacing the 767's immediately or will AA begin new routes with them?

http://boeing-test-flights.blogspot....787-8-american-airlines-first.html

http://airwaysnews.com/blog/2015/01/...nes-first-boeing-787-takes-flight/

northwestEWR · Wed Jan 07, 2015 1:43 am

Congratulations to AA and Boeing! That is one good looking airplane! (Even if it would've been better in sudo-chrome!)

I'll be glad to see these takeover from the 763, I've always found it to be an uglier airplane.

Has AA released cabin details? Same as the 77W?

JDAirCEO · Wed Jan 07, 2015 4:24 am

These are going to fly domestic routes for quite a while before Intl announcements. I believe DFW-ORD will be the first one but all routes should touch DFW as those are the only crews trained for it. Perhaps DFW-MIA and LAX would get into the mix.

global2 · Wed Jan 07, 2015 5:33 am

The gentle curving upsweep of the wings on the 787 is just beautiful!

Noticed in this photo that the hydraulic wind turbine (sorry, cannot think of its proper name) is deployed--part of the testing program?

cha747 · Wed Jan 07, 2015 5:55 am

Finally! After all those threads years ago about "what will the 7E7 look like with AA livery" we see it in the flesh...well....er...fiber. Beautiful plane....hope these birds make it to PHL soon to unlock some long and thin routes (Asia anybody??).

lilxlakerbo1 · Wed Jan 07, 2015 7:15 am

Quoting global2 (Reply 3):
Noticed in this photo that the hydraulic wind turbine (sorry, cannot think of its proper name) is deployed--part of the testing program?

I believe what you're referring to is the RAT (ram air turbine). And yeah, it's deployed for test flight purposes.

tjwgrr · Wed Jan 07, 2015 12:25 pm

Still getting used to AA's new scheme, but I have to admit it looks great on the 788!

LTC8K6 · Wed Jan 07, 2015 1:30 pm

I like it now. It took a while to grow on me, but I think it looks good now.

kl911 · Wed Jan 07, 2015 2:15 pm

NIce looking bird

Will AA also have the dreaded 9 abreast seating?

joperrin89 · Wed Jan 07, 2015 2:19 pm

How many did they order? Do they have any -9 and -10's on order as well? Or just the 788's

BestWestern · Wed Jan 07, 2015 2:24 pm

I think it's a great original livery that will span the test of time.

817Dreamliiner · Wed Jan 07, 2015 2:25 pm

Quoting kl911 (Reply 9):
Will AA also have the dreaded 9 abreast seating?

More than likely.

Quoting joperrin89 (Reply 10):
How many did they order? Do they have any -9 and -10's on order as well? Or just the 788's

They have 16 -8s and 26 -9s on order.

MrBuzzcut · Wed Jan 07, 2015 3:12 pm

Quoting JDAirCEO (Reply 2):
These are going to fly domestic routes for quite a while before Intl announcements. I believe DFW-ORD will be the first one but all routes should touch DFW as those are the only crews trained for it. Perhaps DFW-MIA and LAX would get into the mix.

I'd like to see the 2x daily DFW-HNL be part of that mix as well, but I don't imagine that's going to stay 763 for quite a while since it's mostly a leisure route.

Sooner787 · Wed Jan 07, 2015 3:17 pm

So if I understand, they have 4 completed AA 788's at Everett right now?

Safe to assume all 4 will be delivered during the 1st qtr 2015?

airblue · Wed Jan 07, 2015 3:24 pm

Any news about the planned cabin layout? There will be the same business class seats of the B773 or something new?

joperrin89 · Wed Jan 07, 2015 3:51 pm

Im surprised to see all the hate of the new AA livery. I personally think it looks great, very modern. The old one, while attractive in some ways, looked archaic and dated IMO. Lets be honest, UA has the worst livery of any U.S. airline

BlatantEcho · Wed Jan 07, 2015 3:56 pm

The AA livery is still the worst in the US by a mile.
Pure hatred on the tail.

I think most of us have gotten numb to seeing it now, but that doesn't change how bad it is.

ANITIX87 · Wed Jan 07, 2015 4:15 pm

Quoting BlatantEcho (Reply 19):
Pure hatred on the tail.

Have you seen the tail up close? The amount of detail on it is incredible, it really makes you appreciate the work and consideration that went into the design. I, personally, LOVE the new livery, though I'll admit it took some time and it really took a good look at the tail.

TIS

cageyjames · Wed Jan 07, 2015 4:21 pm

Quoting BlatantEcho (Reply 19):
The AA livery is still the worst in the US by a mile.

The travesty of UA is by far worse.

Miami · Wed Jan 07, 2015 4:24 pm

I'm happy for AA as they are a step closer for delivery.

I just hope they are wise and use the 787 on proper routes. Perhaps start new routes? *hint, hint*

ldvaviation · Wed Jan 07, 2015 4:44 pm

Quoting joperrin89 (Reply 18):
Im surprised to see all the hate of the new AA livery. I personally think it looks great, very modern. The old one, while attractive in some ways, looked archaic and dated IMO. Lets be honest, UA has the worst livery of any U.S. airline

With all the bad taste and the low levels of cultural literacy, is it really a surprise that some people can't recognize the artistry or even the intricacy of the design?

Personally, I also think it looks great, especially on the 787.

Miami · Wed Jan 07, 2015 5:01 pm

American 787-8 N800AN back from a B1 flight.

aacun · Wed Jan 07, 2015 5:11 pm

Quoting LDVAviation (Reply 23):

With all the bad taste and the low levels of cultural literacy, is it really a surprise that some people can't recognize the artistry or even the intricacy of the design?

Personally, I also think it looks great, especially on the 787.

Sir, Ithank you for your great artistic sense.........And for becoming the first respected member on my list this year. This airplane looks absolutely great with on this livery...

brilondon · Wed Jan 07, 2015 5:40 pm

Quoting joperrin89 (Reply 18):

Im surprised to see all the hate of the new AA livery. I personally think it looks great, very modern. The old one, while attractive in some ways, looked archaic and dated IMO. Lets be honest, UA has the worst livery of any U.S. airline

I agree, the tail and the new paint livery are beautiful. And I also agree that the UA paint job is looks like crap and is cheap for obvious reasons.

What I don't understand is why people still continue to harp upon their displeasure still to this day about the paint on the new AA. I wonder if it would have been different if they had announced the merger and than debuted the new colours.

They could have announced the merger along with the new aircraft and said that US and AA have agreed to merge and that this is what our new aircraft will look like. Although I suspect it would not have mattered what the aircraft looked like people would voice their displeasure over the looks of the new aircraft.

At least they did use a dated paint like UA and slap a cheap sticker over the continental name. Looks awful and dated.

American 767 · Wed Jan 07, 2015 5:45 pm

Quoting william (Reply 14):
after 30 years of flying the Silverbird

40 years, even a little more than that. The AA logo and silver bird livery date from the early 70s. They knew for a long time they had to change livery because they knew the 787 would be built with carbon composite materials instead of laminated aluminum that was used to build older 767s.

Quoting Aacun (Reply 25):
This airplane looks absolutely great with on this livery...

I agree.

ben175 · Wed Jan 07, 2015 5:49 pm

I feel like the people hating on the new AA livery are too stuck in the past. The new livery is sophisticated, edgy and modern. It brings a whole new aesthetic to the company. The old livery, despite how significant or memorable it may be, was incredibly dated.

ThePinnacleKid · Wed Jan 07, 2015 6:08 pm

I personally have been an AA fanboy since I was 4... still love them... even was a ramp rat for them for a while pre 9/11... that said, I have grown to love the new colors...

They are by far the most recognizable of the big 3 US carriers, especially when viewed at an international terminal with a multi-airline lineup... AA is iconic in it's look and is clean and sophisticated... I'm happy they incorporated so many elements of the old livery and heritage into the new look.

My single gripe and displeasure to the new logo is the full abandonment of the Double A + Eagle... Two A's and an Eagle have been in the company's logo lineage/identity since inception in the 30's... While it has been modernized with the times, those three things have always been together... I wish they were still together in the new look in some fashion... not to discredit the "flight symbol"... but, Two A's and an Eagle are needed. Can you imagine if Air Canada lost it's Maple Leaf? or Delta with some form of widget?

N62NA · Wed Jan 07, 2015 6:59 pm

Quoting airblue (Reply 17):
Any news about the planned cabin layout? There will be the same business class seats of the B773 or something new?

I read yesterday that they were going to have specially designed seats for the front cabin, and I also read somewhere a while back that they are going to be in that awful forward / backward looking pairings as well.

etops1 · Wed Jan 07, 2015 7:15 pm

here you go .

etops1 · Wed Jan 07, 2015 7:17 pm

etops1 · Wed Jan 07, 2015 7:19 pm

Bar

Miami · Wed Jan 07, 2015 7:20 pm

Quoting etops1 (Reply 31):

Quoting etops1 (Reply 32):

Thanks for sharing! Where did you get these??

etops1 · Wed Jan 07, 2015 7:22 pm

Oh .. I have friends everywhere lol!

aacun · Wed Jan 07, 2015 7:40 pm

Kind of bland looking cabin so far right? That bar is a lot smaller and not as nice as the one on the -300. I dont see a chilled compartment in there either.

glideslope · Wed Jan 07, 2015 8:34 pm

Not a huge fan of the new AA Livery. However, I must agree with previous posts. It's looks very nice on the 788.

lax777lr · Wed Jan 07, 2015 9:51 pm

Quoting etops1 (Reply 32):

Man, I don't know if it's just that picture, but business class looks absolutely shoe-horned in there! Maybe that config is necessary to have 2 in the center section instead of an AC or VS half-herringbone. Looks like semi-premium people storage from this perspective but I hope I am proven wrong...

brilondon · Wed Jan 07, 2015 10:17 pm

Quoting Aacun (Reply 36):
Kind of bland looking cabin so far right? That bar is a lot smaller and not as nice as the one on the -300. I dont see a chilled compartment in there either.

Yeah, can tell that from the pictures too...

Looks good to me, and I don't mind the colours as it is soothing and not loud.

N62NA · Wed Jan 07, 2015 10:53 pm

Thanks for the photos etops1. I'm not looking forward to flying backwards.

Max Q · Wed Jan 07, 2015 10:56 pm

It is an ugly, in fact tacky paint scheme, incredible they would do away with such an Iconic image for this.

A332DTW · Wed Jan 07, 2015 10:59 pm

Have to admit AA's new livery is growing on me quicker than I thought it would. That's a good looking 787. Still think it would have been better if they stopped the stripes on the vertical stabilizer instead of continuing it on the fuselage, or at least let it go all the way around. But that's all beating a dead horse... so I digress.

ThePinnacleKid · Wed Jan 07, 2015 11:49 pm

Guys.... just as a friendly reminder.... this is NOT the AA flagship aircraft... this is a 767 replacement plane... they're not trying to market it as a REVOLUTION of air tavel like UA is... AA has already made the 773 (77W) their flagship product for marketing... so apples to apples... 763 vs 788... sure small walk up bar.. but compared to 763 not 77W? it's outstanding!!! I for one thing this is amazing and harmonizes well with the super premium Flagship in AA's world, 77W!

N62NA · Thu Jan 08, 2015 12:05 am

Quoting ThePinnacleKid (Reply 40):
I for one thing this is amazing and harmonizes well with the super premium Flagship in AA's world, 77W!

Except for the backwards facing seats in the front cabin.

northwestEWR · Thu Jan 08, 2015 12:11 am

Quoting BlatantEcho (Reply 16):
The AA livery is still the worst in the US by a mile.
Pure hatred on the tail.

I think most of us have gotten numb to seeing it now, but that doesn't change how bad it is.

True! I saw a silver S80 land today and it was such a refreshing change and a welcome sight!

Quoting N62NA (Reply 37):
Thanks for the photos etops1. I'm not looking forward to flying backwards.

It's not that bad. I don't notice it anymore especially in the center of the wide bodies where you can't see outside anyway.

777Jet · Thu Jan 08, 2015 12:50 am

Quoting northwestEWR (Reply 1):
Congratulations to AA and Boeing! That is one good looking airplane! (Even if it would've been better in sudo-chrome!)

Whilst that AA 787 looks pretty awesome, I'd still love to see just one in chrome...

jeffh747 · Thu Jan 08, 2015 12:55 am

I think that barfy looking flying taxi Spirit livery is by far the worst of all US airlines, with UA falling not too far behind. I've also been an AA fanboy since I was 2/3/4 years old. I really will miss the old livery, but as someone mentioned earlier, the level of detail on that tail is incredibly magnificent. Obviously in some form or another, the AA and the Eagle should've coexisted with the new livery, but AA could have done a lot worse in designing a newer livery. Look at NK- four completely different liveries in the past ten years- only two of them being reasonably nice. The chrome silverbirds of the past will surely be missed, but I welcome the new AA silverbirds with open arms.

On a somewhat related note- I'm taking a pair of AA Super 80's through Dallas next week to see the CR Smith Museum and catch some good AA spotting at DFW next week. Can't wait!

seat1a · Thu Jan 08, 2015 1:16 am

Quoting A332DTW (Reply 39):

Agreed. Bold and unique livery that's grown on me. Would have preferred the tail stripes to stop before the fuselage, and perhaps getting rid of that 'Greyhound-like' logo. Overall this livery compliments the plane and the plane compliments the livery.

Motorhussy · Thu Jan 08, 2015 2:42 am

Even in AA's wonderful new livery the 788 looks like a stumpy and stunted version of its more elegant and willowy sibling.

The hard J product looks great too.

northwestEWR · Thu Jan 08, 2015 3:14 am

Quoting jeffh747 (Reply 44):
On a somewhat related note- I'm taking a pair of AA Super 80's through Dallas next week to see the CR Smith Museum and catch some good AA spotting at DFW next week. Can't wait!

I was there a couple years ago and it's a great museum! Enjoy! And make sure to enjoy the S80 while you can!

etops1 · Thu Jan 08, 2015 3:56 am

Why is everyone complaining about the backward seating ? AA's 777-200 has backward seating in their retrofitted Business class . UA has backward seating on their Legacy UA 777's . What's the issue ?

[Edited 2015-01-07 20:22:56]

ckfred · Thu Jan 08, 2015 4:20 am

Quoting BlatantEcho (Reply 16):
The AA livery is still the worst in the US by a mile.
Pure hatred on the tail.

I think most of us have gotten numb to seeing it now, but that doesn't change how bad it is.

So, you think this is worse than the current or last Southwest livery, with the shocking Canyon Blue? Or how about Hughes Air West with the bright yellow fuselage and purple trim?

Quoting Max Q (Reply 38):

It is an ugly, in fact tacky paint scheme, incredible they would do away with such an Iconic image for this.

Knowing a thing or two about branding changes because of companies falling into severe financial troubles and bankruptcy, an iconic image can become very, very tarnished.

With all of the problems that CO had, management felt that the golden tail and stylized tail plume had to go in the early 1990s, even though many people still remember the slogan, "The proud bird with the golden tail."

The United shield was just as iconic as the eagle and double As, yet the tulip U was unveiled in the early 1970s. A lot of United loyalists believed that the new logo and livery were too hip for a "button-down" carrier headquartered in Chicago.

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