Flying the new ANA's 787 Dreamliner from San Jose to Tokyo, nevermind safety issues
Skift Take
The much-lobbied-for and awaited inaugural San Jose to Tokyo's Narita took off the same day that FAA announced more investigation into Boeing Dreamliner's safety.
By the time the All Nippon Airways Dreamliner 787 touched down at Narita International Airport late Saturday afternoon -- some 11 hours after leaving San Jose -- it was clear to most on board the sold-out inaugural flight just why airlines around the world remain committed to the newest aircraft from Boeing despite a string of glitches.
For one thing, the plane flies on 20 percent less fuel than other jetliners, allowing airlines like ANA to begin service to mid-size airports like Mineta San Jose International. And for another, the experience of traveling on the Dreamliner is visceral. Throughout the trip passengers snapped photos of the aircraft. And one, wearing a Dreamliner T-shirt, raced around taking video of every corner of the plane.
Midway into the flight -- about 5 p.m. San Jose time -- the aircraft's windows, which are significantly larger than those on other jetliners, began to glow with a soft green-blue color. The electronic-shades allow passengers to change the tint of windows with the push of a button, creating an effect similar to sunglasses. Even the toilets are technologically advanced: they close and flush w
