By Dan Catchpole Herald Writer
EVERETT — Air New Zealand signed on the dotted line Monday to take delivery of the first Boeing 787-9, a stretched Dreamliner.
“Boeing is proud to have contractually delivered the first 787-9 Dreamliner to Air New Zealand. We look forward to celebrating the milestone with our customer soon,” the airplane maker said in a statement.
In signing the paperwork on the last day of June, the company met two deadlines: a promise to deliver the first of the new Dreamliner model by mid-2014, and booking the sale and its revenue in the second quarter of the fiscal year. While the first Dreamliner, the 787-8, was plagued by years of delays, this first 787-9 was delivered on schedule.
Air New Zealand’s newest airplane is not leaving Everett right away, though. Customers typically conduct at least one test flight when receiving a new airplane.
Boeing has orders for 413 of the 787-9, including 10 from Air New Zealand, according to the Chicago-based company’s website.
Dan Catchpole: 425-339-3454; dcatchpole@heraldnet.com; Twitter: @dcatchpole.
