This investigation was supposed to have been published about 1.5 years ago.
It's been slightly longer than three years since Boeing 787-8 launch customer All Nippon Airways launched revenue service with a charter flight from Tokyo-Narita to Hong Kong.
Flightglobal traditionally waits about 1.5 years to release a special report detailing what operators are thinking about a new aircraft. Eighteen months is usually long enough to be over normal teething problems, allowing operators a balanced perspective about their latest aircraft.
In the case of the 787-8, however, 18 months after entry into service was late April 2013, and the entire fleet was grounded while Boeing scrambled to come up with a redesigned installation for two lithium ion batteries.
Boeing
So the 787-8 in-service report was pushed back another 18 months, allowing operators enough time to regain a balanced perspective on the experience.
Flightglobal dispatched five correspondents to visit operators on three different continents, including several of the earliest customers with the most experience operating the 787-8.
The 787-8's operators we interviewed are satisfied with the overall performance of the aircraft, while frustrated by lingering teething issues and sub-par reliability levels.
Check out our dedicated 787 in-service report page here
ANALYSIS: After three years in service, how is 787 performing?
ANALYSIS: Airlines satisfied with 787 engines despite efficiency miss
ANALYSIS: Lithium ion battery fix prompts mixed reviews for 787 operators
Boeing fields permanent APU fix for 787-8
Check out our 787 cutaway here
Source: FlightGlobal.com
