787 Dreamliner prepares for launch

EVERETT, Washington--After years of delays, Boeing on Monday expects to finally hand over the first 787 Dreamliner to its launch customer, All Nippon Airways (ANA). But before doing so, the giant airplane manufacturer hosted a media event Sunday and invited members of the press to take a peek at the interior of one of the much-anticipated jets.

This is exterior of the second Dreamliner that ANA will receive. The press was unable to view the interior of the first one, as it was being prepared for Monday's big celebration.

Photos and captions credit: Daniel Terdiman, CNET News

Members of ANA's flight crew welcome members of the press aboard the 787 Dreamliner.

This is the flight deck of the Dreamliner, with a view of the flight controls.

Here, we see a straight-on view of the flight controls that Dreamliner pilots will use to fly the much-anticipated aircraft.

This is a close-up view of the lower set of flight controls.

These are the overhead controls the pilots will use while flying.

At the front of the plane, just inside the main doors, is the main flight galley.

On some Dreamliners, airliners will opt to install a bar, like this one. ANA has decided to put its bar in the middle of coach class on this plane, which is configured for domestic flights in Japan. The bar will hold several bottles, as well as snacks and other sundries. The airline expects the bar to be a central social spot during long flights.

In business class, the seats fold down nearly flat, and in this photo, we see the seat in its down position.

Here, we see the business class seat in its upright position.

This is a business class video screen in its extended position.

Flight crews will be able to control lighting aboard the Dreamliner via this computerized control panel. From here, they will be able to change lighting--including overhead illumination and window tinting--in many different ways.

Flight crews will be able to change the color--or strength--of the plane's overhead lighting. Here, we see the lighting in a blue color.

Here, the overhead lighting has been changed to orange. Boeing says that by changing the lighting appropriately, airlines can ensure that passengers arrive better rested.

This is the Dreamliner's main bathroom.

Passengers aboard a Dreamliner flight will have controls allowing them to modify the tinting of their window. There are five settings, and it can take a full minute to transform from darkest to clearest. Here, we see three windows representing the darkest, the middle tint, and the clearest.

Here, we are looking back at the main coach cabin aboard the Boeing 787 Dreamliner.

This is view forward of the main coach cabin aboard the Boeing 787 Dreamliner.

This is the rear of a coach seat, including the video screen and controller.

A luggage bin swings open on the Boeing 787 Dreamliner.

The Dreamliner's left wing is seen from the rear in this photograph.

The curved wing tip of the Dreamliner's innovative wing is seen in this photograph, taken from underneath the plane.

ANA is the Dreamliner launch customer, and it will take delivery of the first 787 on Monday at a celebration in Everett, Washington.

Here, we see the front of one of the Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engines that powers the Dreamliner.

This is the rear of the Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engine that powers the Dreamliner.

Here, we see the Dreamliner's landing gear from the front.

The Dreamliner was first shown to the public at an event on July 8, 2007 (07/08/07), but the plane has been delayed for years due to a wide variety of issues and problems. Boeing expects to deliver the first 787 to its launch customer, ANA, on Monday.

This is the rear bathroom of the 787 Dreamliner.

This is the rear gallery of the 787 Dreamliner.

Guests who visited the Dreamliner on Sunday exited through this rear door.