ANA Boeing 787 Return Flight to Tokyo

This is an excerpt from the webmaster, Chris Sloan’s article on the Inaugural Passenger Revenue Flight of the Boeing 787 in the February, 2012 issue of “Airways” Magazine. These images were taken on the October 27, 2011 flight from Hong Kong back to Tokyo Narita. Images from the inaugural flight are on the ANA Dreamliner Inaugural Gallery on Airchive.com.

The next day, Thursday October 27^th, the Dreamliner returned to Tokyo as flight NH7872. By comparison to the previous day, this was a far more subdued affair with just a few ramp personnel seeing us off, no applause on take-off or landing, yet still the ANA trademark exceptional service. This quiet flight gave us all the opportunity to get to know the Dreamliner on a more intimate basis on what felt like a typical operation. We landed in the dark on time at 8:50pm in Tokyo and taxied up to the stand next to sister-ship JA802. After some final pictures and farewells, the inaugural event was over but for the Dreamliner and ANA the real mission was just beginning. The following day, both airplanes performed numerous hour-long excursion flights over Tokyo. On November 1^st, scheduled domestic service began between Tokyo Haneda and Okayama and Tokyo Haneda and Hiroshima, two of Japan’s longest domestic routes. International regional service was slated to begin with Haneda to Beijing in December. The flight many eagerly await as the next true test of the Dreamliner’s efficiency and passenger appeal is the first long haul flight from Tokyo Haneda to Frankfurt, Germany at approximately 12 hours, 15 minutes, is scheduled to begin on 21 January 2012.

ANA President and CEO Ito admitted, “We (Boeing and ANA) had been through hard times in the development of the 787, but we are thrilled to be first airline to fly the airplane”. Other game changing aircraft such as the Boeing 707 and especially the 747 had difficult births, but with the hindsight afforded by time, few remember those challenges. What is remembered is how they changed the way the world travelled and changed an industry, which the Boeing 787 Dreamliner almost certainly will too.

Even though most people associate Everett (Paine Field) and Renton (where 737′s are made) with Boeing in the Seattle area, the archives are housed in a Boeing complex in Bellevue, WA, which is located just east of Seattle. The archive in Bellevue is the main corporate archive and preserves the history of Boeing and the aviation history of North American/Rockwell. The archives are for current commercial business as well as Boeing corporate.

Over the years, the archive has grown to include other locations across the nation.  There are the Douglas archives in Cypress, CA (near Long Beach), where the history of Douglas is preserved as well. It also houses Boeing’s current space and electronics related businesses that are in southern California. Boeing’s archive in St Louis takes care of the history of McDonnell Douglas and Hughes helicopters and supports their current military aircraft and defense business.

I was quite fascinated with the multiple levels of security attached to the Bellevue archive.  First, guests must check-in at a public building to get their “Escort Required” badge. Then, it is through a security gate where guests have to show said badge with their escort (who, for me, was the very helpful Bernard Choi with Boeing Communications). After the second security check, there are various doors one must go through that require a code before they reach  the basement archives.
How cool would it be to have a few weeks to sit down and read all these?

Most of Boeing’s history is housed in an earthquake resistant basement, where computer chips used to be made. There are long rows of boxes with models (which I will talk about in Part 2), posters, films and trinkets almost everywhere. I was surprised. I was expecting just to see rows and rows of boring brown boxes, but there was a lot of great eye candy.

Inside another door to the side of the archives is a long room that is constantly air conditioned. In this room, one can find thousands of Boeing videos of pretty much everything Boeing has done since video was created. They are mostly on old school film. They have information on 16 and 35mm motion picture film, 35mm microfilm, VHS, 1″ tape, 1/2 tape, 2″ tape, Betamax, DAT, CD, DVD and Laser Disc. That isn’t even all the formats. Boeing is in the process of converting many of these items into digital formats.
The Boeing Archives needs to keep a lot of classic viewing machines around.

What a job it would be to watch the videos to convert them over?! I did hint to Bernard what a GREAT TweetUp it would make to show a few of these old videos (Boeing 707 test videos anyone) to the general public. Not only does Boeing keep all the old formats, but they also must hold on to all sorts of format players. From 8-tracks to Laser discs, they have a vast collection of media players that could serve as its own mini-museum.

After checking out the videos, I got to check out the vault. Another locked room in a series of locked rooms. I would love to tell you what was in the vault but I can’t, but let me tell you, it was amazing.

Ok, I am joking, I can tell you what was in the vault—pretty much all the prized possessions of Boeing’s past.  Some of the items include gifts given to them by world leaders and items gathered by previous Boeing leadership. Also found in the vault are the meeting minutes dictating all the decisions ever made by Boeing and very valuable Boeing memorabilia. It was at this point I made the joke about how much all this stuff would sell for on Ebay. Heh, Mike didn’t find it funny (ok maybe a little bit). Mike has a heart for all things that are Boeing and he hates seeing important trinkets being sold on Ebay for money. Many families of Boeing employees who pass away will happily donate their loved ones Boeing items to be preserved in history. Mike told me he often gets emails from people trying to sell Boeing items, thinking they have deep pockets, but Boeing is not in the business of buying memorabilia.

The archives are not just there to keep a hold of history.  They are also there to help the future. Boeing engineers will often come to the archives so they don’t need to reinvent the wheel. If a Boeing engineer created a solution to a problem 30 years ago, current engineers can take a look at the old research and save time and money building off previous work.

So how does the general aviation nerd get access to the archives? Well the quick answer is that you can’t. They allow visits by non-Boeing guest on an extremely limited case-by-case basis. It is limited to academic researchers, the media, Boeing customers, museum staff, and established authors.  However, enthusiasts can access Boeing archival information through the Boeing Images website. With Boeing making more of their archives digital and making more of an effort to connect with fans, we can hope that more of the fun stuff will be made public.

Even though I got to spend over an hour in the archives, I could have easily spent years without getting bored. Tomorrow, in Part 2, I will be posting about all the amazing models that are housed in the archives.  In part 3, I will post an interview with Mike about his job and his thoughts on Boeing’s past, present and future.  Stay tuned!

Cheyenne Regional Airport, CYS, is also known as Jerry Olson Field. It is currently served by Great Lakes Airlines who is also headquatered here. Great Lakes flies the world’s largest fleet of Beechcraft 1900, and serves Denver from CYS. Beginning on July 15^th, 2010 American Eagle started nonstop service to Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas using ERJ’s but this service is questionable following AMR’s bankruptcy. In addition to the scheduled service, occasional charter flights to Laughlin or Wendover, Nevada are offered. United Airlines heavily uses this airport for diversions of its Denver International Airport bound flights due to its close-to-Denver location and 9,270 foot long runway. The current terminal was built in 1961 and is relatively unremodeled. United has a long and illustrious history here. Cheyenne was home to United’s stewardesses training center where the first stewardess was trained. This training occurred through 1961 when the facility was moved back to United’s headquarters in Chicago, IL. Cheyenne was also a stop on United’s mainline transcontinental flights going back to the days of the Boeing 247.

Cyril King Airport, STT, is the busiest airport in the US Virgin Islands. It was formally known as Harry S. Truman International Airport until it was renamed in 1984 to honor the second governor of the USVI. The current terminal opened in 1990. It has 11 gates and a 7,000 foot runway. Major operators here include Air Canada, American, American Eagle, Cape Air, Continental, Delta, JetBlue, LIAT, Spirit, Sun Country, USAirways, and WestJet.

The airport is known was notoriously known for the April 27, 1976 crash of American Airlines flight 625 which ran off the end of the runway, killing 37 of the 88 on board the aircraft. Following the crash, American Airlines suspended jet service to the airport, using propliners until the runway was rebuilt to its present length.

Cyril E. King Curbside - St Thomas USVI – 2012

American is the #1 U.S. airline in the Caribbean and #1 at St. Thomas. AA flies Boeing 737-800s and 757-200s into STT from New York, Miami, and Boston (seasonal service). American Eagle operates ATR-72 serve to the nearby San Juan hub.

The airport is known was notoriously known for the April 27, 1976 crash of American Airlines flight 625 which ran off the end of the runway, killing 37 of the 88 on board the aircraft. Following the crash, American Airlines suspended jet service to the airport, using propliners until the runway was rebuilt to its present length.

JetBlue Airbus A320 at St Thomas Cyril King Airport, USVI – 2012

JetBlue operates Airbus A320s and Embraer ERJ-190s nonstop to San Juan with continuing service to Boston, Newark, and West Palm Beach. These flights, lasting between 17 and 28 minutes, depending on winds and arrival/departure headings are the shortest of JetBlue’s regular routes.

The Q400 is a 74 or 76 seat, high-wing turboprop. Alaska/Horzon operates 49 Bombardier Q400s as of 2012. All Horizon Air aircraft are operated in a single class configuration. Each row has two seats on either side of the aisle. There are no middle seats on Horizon, only window or aisle. The Q400 is a stretched and improved 70–78 passenger version of the Dash 8-300 that entered service in 2000. Its 360 knot cruise speed is 60-90 knots higher than its competitors/predecessors. The maximum operating altitude is 25,000 ft (7,600 m) for the standard version. The Q400 has a cruising speed close to that of most regional jets, and its mature engines and systems require less frequent maintenance, reducing its disadvantage. It also has a full glass cockpit which is a favor of crews.

Horizon Air features all leather seating. In 2010-11, As Horizon transitioned to Alaska branding, it phased out its CRJ-200s replacing them with an all Q400 fleet. Horizon is known for its in-flight service that in many cases surpasses that of its parent, Alaska: Since 1991, Starbucks coffee is served in-flight on all Horizon Air flights. It also offers free Northwest beer and wine in addition to free water and carbonated beverages. Horizon also offers a limited buy on board meal service. Unlike Alaska Airlines, there are currently no plans to install in flight wireless internet on board Horizon Air planes.

Salt Lake City International Airport Delta Connection Concourse B - 2012

SLC is an efficient, attractive, and user-friendly airport located in Salt Lake City, Utah. It is Delta's #2 hub. Delta acquired the SLC hub when it merged with Western in 1987. Unlike Delta's main hub at Altanta, SLC has been ranked #1 by the DOT for on-time arrivals and departures. Delta dominates the scene but all U.S. carriers are represented here. There are no international carriers here, but Delta and Frontier both fly to Mexico. In summer 2008, Delta began non-stop service to Paris CDG. As of 2012, plans have been announced to build a completely new terminal, replacing the entire SLC facility including this temporary commuter SkyWest concourse.

Photos courtesy: David Zaccaria

Vancouver International Airport

Vancouver International Airport, YVR, is the second busiest airport in Canada following Toronto Pearson International Airport. Though offering extensive services to Europe and North America, Vancouver International is Canada’s gateway to the Pacific Rim, owing to Vancouver’s strong Asian (particularly Chinese) population. YVR airport has won several notable international best airport awards; it won the Skytrax Best North American Airport award in 2010, the second time it has received the honor with the first being in 2007. It is a hub for Air Canada, Air Canada Express and Air Transat as well as a focus city for WestJet. Vancouver is divided into three terminals: Domestic (renovated from the 1968 design) and the inter-connected International Terminal. The South Terminal serves regional airlines which fly mostly within British Columbia. The terminals boast a stunning Northwest British Columbian look with an extensive collection of Pacific Northwest Coast Native art. The most famous sculpture is "The Spirit of Haida Gwaii, The Jade Canoe", which is displayed in the international departures area. YVR completed a $1.4-billion, multi-year capital development plan, which included a four-gate expansion to the International Terminal Wing in June 2007. This international terminal addition has several examples of the stunning visual landscape of British Columbia, including a stream in a pathway and fish and jellyfish tanks.

Also recently completed was a five-gate and food and retail expansion in the Domestic Terminal's C-Pier, completed in 2009, and the Canada Line rapid transit link between YVR, Richmond and downtown Vancouver, which opened in August 2009.

YVR is located on Sea Island in Richmond, British Columbia, Canada, about 7.5 miles south of Downtown Vancouver. It boasts 3 main runways: 8L/26R, 8R/26L and 12/30 at 9,940, 11,500, and 7,300 feet respectively.

Image courtesy: David Zaccaria

Air Canada ERJ-190s are seen on the domestic ramp at Vancouver International Airport. Air Canada operates 45 E-Jets, as of 2012, in a F/9 and Y/84 configuration.

Calgary based LCC Westjet serves Canadian destinations at Vancouver to/from Calgary, Edmonton, Kelowna, Montréal, Ottawa, Prince George, Regina, Saskatoon, Toronto-Pearson and Winnipeg. It’s international routes include Cancún, Chicago-O'Hare, Honolulu, Kahului, Kona, Las Vegas, Lihue, Los Angeles, Orange County, Puerto Vallarta, San José del Cabo, Mazatlán, Palm Springs, Phoenix, and San Francisco. This employee owned, non-unionized airline is known for its excellent service.

New Tom Bradley West Terminal Aerials Under Construction - 2012

Located in the middle of the Central Terminal "horseshoe" between T3 and T4, The Tom Bradley International Airport, TBIT, was opened just in time for the 1984 Olympics. After 25 years, it is undergoing major renovation due to be completed in 2014. This is intended to make LAX more competitive with San Francisco whose 2001 era International Terminal has been threatening LAX's lead as the US' gateway to Asia.

Images courtesy: Duncan Stewart, LAWA

Javier Torralba, formerly of KLM and TACA, and based in Guatemala is an airline enthusiast extraordinaire. He was kind enough to send pictures of his incredible collection that includes nearly 3,000 models and countless pieces of memorabilia as well as some images from his many airport visits.

McAllen-Miller International Airport is the second busiest of the three airports in the deep South Rio Grande Valley of Texas. Valley International Airport in Harlingen (40 miles away) is number one and Brownsville/South Padre Island (63 miles away) is number three. Considering the relatively small population and size catchment area, the Rio Grande Valley is unusual in having three airports with commercial service.

McAllen-Miller ,MFE, has 2 runways and one terminal with 5 gates. According to the updated 20-year Master Plan for MFE, runway 13/31 (now 7,120 feet in length) will be extended to 10,000 ft. In addition, a parallel runway will be added. There are also plans for terminal extensions even in spite of recent airline pullouts in the last few years such as Delta/ Delta Connection (Atlanta/Memphis/Los Angeles) and Allegiant (Las V) due to disappointing traffic loads. The terminal is a very user friendly, uncrowded, and quite attractive facility At one time, Continental actually had a nonstop flight to Mexico City from MFE, but this was discontinued in 2007. Remaining service at MFE incluses American Airlines mainline and Eagle servicing Dallas/Ft Worth and United/United Express serving Houston George Bush Intercontinental.

Special Thanks for photos to: Carlos Salcines

Phoenix based USAirways and major player Southwest operate from the largest and newest terminal at Phoenix, Terminal 4. It originally opened in 1990 and expanded in 1994 and 2002. T4 has 88 gates and is also home to international carriers Air Canada, AeroMexico, British Airways, and LCC Frontier. T4, also known as the Barry Goldwater Terminal is far and away the largest terminal here. On the south side of the terminal, construction began in 2002 on this eight-gate S2 concourse for Southwest Airlines. This project was completed in 2004 and features a different architectural design from the other six concourses.

Images courtesy: David Zaccaria

Phoenix Sky Harbor Terminal 2

Phoenix Terminal 2 has 9 gates. Designed by the Phoenix architectural firm, Weaver & Drover, it opened in 1962 and is the oldest terminal still in use at PHX. Terminal 2 is used by Alaska, Great Lakes, United, and United Express.

Images courtesy: David Zaccaria

Phoenix Sky Harbor Terminal 3

Phoenix Terminal 3 opened in 1979 and has 17 gates, separated into two concourses by a central building outside of security. It was the largest terminal at PHX until the Goldwater Terminal 4 opened in 1990. Terminal 3 is served by American, American Eagle, Delta, Delta Connection, Frontier, Hawaiian, JetBlue, and seasonally by Sun Country Airlines.

Images courtesy: David Zaccaria

Airchive contributor David Zaccaria completed a walk-around of PHX T2, T3, and T4 recently and also shot some amazing aerials.

San Francisco Airport Terminal 3

San Francisco Airport Terminal 3 was formerly known as the North Terminal. Terminal 3 has Boarding Areas E & F that opened in the early 1980s and late 1970s respectively with a total of 30 gates. This terminal is now used only by SFO’s number one airline and hub carrier United Airlines. Boarding Area E is presently closed for refurbishment. Once SFO will move the other North American Star Alliance carriers, Air Canada and US Airways to Terminal 3. The refurbishment of F is quite stunning with numerous examples of public art, with each gate having unique examples on display.

Images courtesy: David Zaccaria

Airchive contributor David Zaccaria completed a walk-around of SFO’s refurbished United Terminal 3, Boaring Area F.

United was the launch customer for the Boeing 777. This example is seen in the 2004 livery which is quickly being replaced by the new 2012 "Continental/United Hybrid" globe look. United operates a combined 74 777-200s and 777-200ERs with 22 acquired in the merger with Continental.

United operates a total of 55 Airbus A319-100s carrying 120 passengers and 97 Airbus A320-200s carrying 138 and 144 passengers. Until the merger with Continental when the 737-800s and 900s arrived, the Airbus A320 was the backbone of the short/medium-haul fleet. The A320s first joined UA in 1993-94.

Image courtesy: David Zaccaria

An Eastern 757-200 seen in Miami in May 1989, less than 2 years before shutdown

Special Thanks to:  Jose Lauzardo

Pan Am Airbus A310-300 in Miami Maintenance Hanger – May 1989

Pan Am "Open House" Airbus A310-300 In cantelever hanger for exihibition, taken in October, 1989. Pan Am shutdown 2 years later on December 4, 1991.

Special Thanks to:  Jose Lauzardo

British Airways Boeing 747-200 at Miami - 1990

These British Airways 747-200s in the 1984 Landor “Speedbird” livery are Pratt&Whitney Powered, unusually as BA was generally a Rolls-Royce customer. These images were taken in 1990.

Special Thanks to:  Jose Lauzardo

British Airways Concorde at Miami - November 1990

BA operated the Concorde at Miami from the 1984 to 1991 with a 3 times per week service to London via Washington Dulles. As some of this route was over the water, that part of the flight operated supersonically thus making it likely the only U.S. domestic supersonic flight.

Special Thanks to:  Jose Lauzardo

Iberia Douglas DC-10-30 at Miami – November 1990

This Iberia Douglas DC-10-30 boards for a flight to Madrid at Miami in November 1990. During this time, Iberia operated a Latin American hub at Miami.

Special Thanks to:  Jose Lauzardo

United Airlines Boeing 757-200 N532UA is seen at LAX in the 2004 final "Tulip" livery. This aircraft, delivered in 1991, was photographed on United/Continental merger day on March 1, 2012.

N750AN American Airlines Boeing 777-223(ER) was delivered to American in March, 2001. It is one of 46 in the fleet with 7 on order, including 2 300ER's. AA operates the 777s from LAX to London, Tokyo, and Miami.

American operates 15 Boeing 767-200ERs in 182 passenger 3-class capacity mainly on the transcon routes.

Korean Air Lines Airbus A380-861 HL7614 at LAX - March, 2012

Korean Air currently operates 5 Airbus A380s with 5 on order as of April, 2012. Korean boasts that it's 380s are the world's roomiest with only 12 seats in First, 94 seats in business, and 301 seats in Economy for a total of 407. The lower deck is comprised of First Class, Economy, and a unique Duty Free Showcase, while the upper deck is all Business Class and 2 Business Class lounges. It is seen on short finals and landing on runway 24L. Korean operates these whales nonstop to/from Seoul. HL-7614, with 4 GP7270 engines was delivered on September 7, 2011.

The old American Airlines Hanger at LAX, once known for the iconic neon AA eagle is being readied for demolished to make way for the TBIT Bradley West project, scheduled to open in 2014.