U.S. air-safety officials have approved the new version of the
Boeing Co. 787 Dreamliner equipped with General Electric Co.
engines for commercial flights, with the first delivery of the jet
expected as early as next week.
The Federal Aviation Administration certified the jet on
Thursday, according to a document reviewed by The Wall Street
Journal.
United Continental Holdings Inc. is the launch customer for the
version of the 787-9 jet powered by GEnx engines. It plans to use
the jet initially on domestic routes to familiarize staff, and then
on service between Los Angeles and Melbourne.
Boeing and GE didn't immediately respond to a request for
comment.
The aircraft was initially certified in June for use with
Rolls-Royce Holdings PLC engines, enabling deliveries to launch
customers Air New Zealand Ltd. and All Nippon Holdings Co. Boeing
sells the 787 with a choice of engines from Rolls-Royce and GE.
The stretched Dreamliner is 20 feet longer than the 787-8 and
seats about 30 more passengers--between 270 and 290--for flights as
far as 8,300 nautical miles, or up to 17 hours. Boeing has orders
for 435 of the larger jets.
The 787-8 was first certified by the FAA and European Aviation
Safety Agency in August 2011, entering regularly scheduled revenue
service about 2 1/2 months later.
Write to Jon Ostrower at jon.ostrower@wsj.com
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