Fourth Boeing Dreamlifter joins fleet

Published 12:09 pm Tuesday, February 16, 2010

The fourth and final Dreamlifter has joined the Boeing Co.’s fleet to support production of the new 787 aircraft.

Boeing uses a fleet of modified 747-400 cargo jets to transport sections of its 787 Dreamliner from around the world. The fourth “Dreamlifter,” which is the last one that Boeing plans to add to its fleet, entered service today. Its registery is N718BA.

The freghter, which was modified by Evergreen Aviation Technologies Corp. in Taipei, Taiwan, took off from Paine Field in Everett early this morning. The Dreamlifter was bound for Wichita, Kan.,

Boeing ferries large sections of its 787 from partner sites in Japan, Italy, Kansas and South Carolina to Everett, where the 787 is assembled. The company is adding a second final assembly line in South Carolina.