Last 787-9 Dreamliner delivered

G-VNYL arrived today, which makes it the 17th and final 787-9 to be delivered.

I imagine it will follow the usual introduction and serve LHR-DEL in the coming days.

[mitchja]

Slightly related - I noticed that G-VYUM is finally back in service now after being sat at LHR with no engines since the end of September!!

[Darren Wheeler]

More likely to spend time on either the LAX or SFO route as she has the RR Trent 1000-TEN package.

So how many of the VS planes have the engines that need more frequent checks?

And what’s so special about DEL that it apparently gets the maiden flights if the new 787s? I’d have expected JFK as a multi flight route so easier to rebook pax should anything go wrong

[mitchja]

So how many of the VS planes have the engines that need more frequent checks?

I think's it's pretty much all of the 789's apart from the most recent 3 deliveries (NYL, BEL & WOO)

Those 3 789's have the -K3 variant of the Trent 1000 engines, where as all the rest have the -K2 variant (which I believe is one of the variants that has the issues).

And what’s so special about DEL that it apparently gets the maiden flights if the new 787s? I’d have expected JFK as a multi flight route so easier to rebook pax should anything go wrong

I dont know why VS seem to pick DEL (or sometimes DXB) for maiden flights with new A/C - maybe it's down to the late evening departure times which gives VS the full day to get the new A/C ready for service as I guess they will have to load carts and safety equipment etc?

G-VNYL only arrived at LHR from Charleston around 21:00 last night.

Looks like VNYL has broke with tradition and operated the VS41/42 rotation yesterday. She's currently on her way back from SFO.

It looks like NEW has potentially gone tech in DXB, she flew out last night but today’s 401 appears to have been cancelled.

On the topic of the new 787's initial routes, there are also tax implications of sending them to the USA within the first few weeks. This could influence the routes it flies at first.