On Tuesday, the Boeing 787 Dreamliner made its first flight in commercial service, flying more than 200 passengers from Tokyo to Hong Kong. Chris Sloan, an aviation writer who was covering the first flight for Airways magazine and Airchive.com, was one of those passengers, and he shared his experience--and these photos--with CNET and SmartPlanet.
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In the airport in Tokyo, an ANA sign welcomes passengers to their historic flight.
This post was originally published on Smartplanet.comA digital board in the airport in Tokyo shows a list of upcoming flights. Toward the bottom is the listing for the first Dreamliner flight, ANA flight NH7871 to Hong Kong.
This post was originally published on Smartplanet.comThis is a boarding pass for the first Dreamliner passenger flight, ANA flight 7871 from Tokyo to Hong Kong on October 25, 2011.
This post was originally published on Smartplanet.comThis is a certificate passengers aboard the flight received prior to boarding.
This post was originally published on Smartplanet.comANA embroidered a "787 We fly first" logo on the Dreamliner's seats.
This post was originally published on Smartplanet.comPassengers aboard the flight file into their seats.
This post was originally published on Smartplanet.comFlight attendants aboard the flight show off a special 787 Dreamliner brochure.
This post was originally published on Smartplanet.comHere, we see the meal menu for the first ANA Dreamliner flight.
This post was originally published on Smartplanet.comAn ANA flight attendant waits for passengers at a console toward the front of the Dreamliner.
This post was originally published on Smartplanet.comTo commemorate the first flight, a truck shoots a giant water spout in the air as the plane taxis toward takeoff.
This post was originally published on Smartplanet.comAs the Dreamliner soars between Tokyo and Hong Kong, its left wing is seen outside the window.
This post was originally published on Smartplanet.comThe plane's LED lights are designed to change during flight in order to help with passengers' moods.
This post was originally published on Smartplanet.comHere, we see the lights have changed colors completely from the previous image.
This post was originally published on Smartplanet.comAnother innovative design on the Dreamliner is that its windows can darken or lighten up, as the passenger wishes. Here, one window is seen fully bright, while another is darker.
This post was originally published on Smartplanet.comThis is the interactive flight map, seen on the back of a passenger's seat.
This post was originally published on Smartplanet.comThis photograph shows a set of Dreamliner-themed materials given to each passenger.
This post was originally published on Smartplanet.comAs the plane taxis into the terminal in Hong Kong, passengers were welcomed by a large banner.
This post was originally published on Smartplanet.comOne more banner, along with special celebratory lions, welcomed passengers on board the first Dreamliner flight.
This post was originally published on Smartplanet.comOne more banner, along with special celebratory lions, welcomed passengers on board the first Dreamliner flight.
This post was originally published on Smartplanet.com