United Airlines has received the first 787-9 Dreamliner from Boeing. United is the first airline in North America to operate both the 787-8 and 787-9 variants of the Dreamliner line. Service with the 787-9 will begin later this month.
United will be flying the airplane on what will be the longest 787 route, which is the nonstop service between Los Angeles and Melbourne, Australia. The 787-9 will be able to fly up to 40 more passengers an additional 450 nautical miles (830 km) because the fuselage is stretched by 20 feet.