United Airlines Announces Boeing 787 Dreamliner Domestic Routes

United Airlines Boeing 787 at Seattle (photo courtesy of United)

United Airlines today announced plans to fly its new Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft on domestic routes starting in November as it prepares to begin previously-announced international service in December and January.

United expects to take delivery of the first five new Dreamliners this year from its total order for 50 of these aircraft. As the initial aircraft are inducted into the fleet, they will be based at United’s Houston hub and will enter into service according to the following schedule:

Late September: 1st 787 delivery

October: Proving/validation flights and training activities that allow United to meet FAA certification requirements and prepare United to become the first North American operator for this new aircraft type. 2nd 787 delivery.

November: Scheduled commercial flights from Houston to other U.S. hubs. 3rd and 4th 787 deliveries expected.

December: Scheduled commercial flights from Houston to other U.S. hubs. 5th 787 delivery expected. First international service Dec. 4.

January: Commencement of scheduled commercial flights on additional international routes as announced on Aug. 23.

United will phase in scheduled 787 service between Houston and each of its other domestic hubs beginning Nov, 4, 2012 as shown below. This schedule allows United’s 787s to operate more than 470 flight segments in the U.S. in the last two months of 2012 in addition to international flights beginning in early December:

Route	Flight times	Effective Date	End Date	Frequency
IAH-SFO-IAH	5:45 p.m. westbound 12:15 a.m. eastbound	Nov. 4, 2012	Dec. 2, 2012	5 x weekly
IAH-LAX-IAH	3:30 p.m. westbound 6:25 p.m. eastbound	Nov. 4, 2012	Dec. 3, 2012	6 x weekly
IAH-ORD-IAH	7:25 a.m. northbound 11:15 a.m. southbound	Nov. 4, 2012	Dec. 3, 2012	6 x weekly
IAH-EWR-IAH	8 a.m. northbound 3:30 p.m. southbound	Nov. 4, 2012	Jan. 3, 2013	Daily, except Nov. 18
IAH-CLE-IAH	7 a.m. northbound 4 p.m. southbound	Nov. 10, 2012	Nov. 10, 2012	One-day service
IAH-IAD-IAH	7 a.m. northbound 3:50 p.m. southbound	Nov. 17, 2012	Nov. 17, 2012	One-day service
IAH-SFO-IAH	5:45 p.m. westbound 12:15 a.m. eastbound	Dec. 3, 2012	Jan. 3, 2013	Daily
IAH-LAX-IAH	3:30 p.m. westbound 6:25 p.m. eastbound	Dec. 4, 2012	Jan. 3, 2013	Daily
IAH-DEN-IAH	7:20 a.m. westbound 10:15 a.m. eastbound	Dec. 5, 2012	Jan. 2, 2013	Daily
IAH-LAX-IAH	7:35 a.m. westbound 12:30 p.m. eastbound	Jan. 3, 2013	March 31, 2013	Daily
IAH-ORD-IAH	7:25 a.m. northbound 11:15 a.m. southbound	Jan. 4, 2013	March 29, 2013	Daily
IAH-DEN-IAH	9:15 a.m. westbound 2:15 p.m. eastbound	March 31, 2013	Open	Daily

The 787 aircraft will display for sale for these domestic routes on united.com and other distribution channels beginning Sept. 1. In October, United will announce plans for the official first commercial 787 flights, which are expected to occur prior to Nov. 4 but only after proving/validation flights and training are complete.

“While the Dreamliner’s superior operating economics make it ideally suited for international routes, we’re pleased to have this opportunity to introduce it on domestic flights between many of our hub cities allowing both customers and employees to experience this revolutionary aircraft and its many unique benefits,” says United’s Managing Director of Scheduling, Grant Whitney. “United customers and employees can take part in welcoming the newest member of our fleet.”

United