Video: Boeing 787 Dreamliner Lands in San Diego

Boeing 787 at Lindbergh Field, March 12, 2012

By Justin Powell, March 13, 2012

The newly designed and touring Boeing 787 Dreamliner paid a visit to Lindbergh Field on Monday, March 12.

As an air-traffic control student, I was fortunate to be approved for tarmac access so I could ogle the graceful plane as it approached for a landing around 11:00 a.m. A crowd of VIPs and media people also watched. Later on, local politicians, airport employees, and business executives climbed aboard to take a tour.

The Dreamliner was parked in San Diego for one day, near the Landmark Aviation tarmac on Pacific Highway. The plane left this morning, March 13, and will make another promotional stop in Long Beach tomorrow.

tomjohnston March 13, 2012 @ 10:17 p.m.

Many years ago we were in Hawaii while the Concord was at HNL. That bird was quite a sight!

kearnykomet71 March 14, 2012 @ 8:09 a.m.

I helped build this bird. And the next 850+ on order.

Visduh March 14, 2012 @ 9:07 p.m.

My original notion of this plane was something to compete with that gigantic flying white elephant, the Airbus A380. But this isn't that large, and is promoted as a vast improvement over the existing craft of its size, such as Boeing's own 757/767/777 series planes and some of the Airbus A320's, A330's and A340's. That's all wonderful from an engineering angle, but will this thing be any more comfortable than today's typical jetliner? Will it have better cabin air quality? Will their be any improvement in leg room? Seat cushioning? On board service? Uh, it depends. It depends on the airline flying it, and the priorities of that airline.

I'd guess that some airline with enlightened management could use all this to really improve the flying experience, but most will not. They'll continue down the road of ultra-economy seating, no meals, little amenities, charges for nearly anything you once received in your ticket price, and surly help.

Any real improvement in air travel will have to come from a sea change in attitude from the management of the airlines, a new style of handling and treating its customers, and a real desire to please, not punish, its fare-paying passengers. You listening American? United? Delta? Useless Air? Commuter lines? Allegiant? Jet Blue? Anyone?

Gail Powell March 15, 2012 @ 10:45 a.m.

I want to be one of the first on this new plane when Japan Airlines begins nonstop service to Tokyo from San Diego this December! BTW, now that the author of this story, Justin, has received positive attention from the Reader for his video on the Dreamliner, he now wants to spend Spring Break up at LAX filming and video taping other big-name foreign carriers for fun! LOL

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