Air Astana (Based out of Kazakhstan) is on the expansion path with the purchase of  four Boeing 767-300ERs and three 787-8s.

The order, at a list value of US$1.3 billion will make it the largest order of aircarft in Kazakhstan’s civil aviation history.

For those who love winglets, tthe 767′s will have them installed from the outset, and will replace the existing leased Boeing 767′s operated by Air Astana. In addition, the leased Boeing  757′s the carrier operates will also be returned, leaving the 787′s for an expansion role.

On the current time scales, the 767′s will be delivered in 2013 and 2014, whilst the 787s in 2017 and 2019

Air Astana currently operates 10 of the Airbus A320 family (1 A319, 7 A320, 2 A321), with 5 Boeing 757′s, 2 Boeing 767′s, 3 Embraer E190′s and 6 Fokker 50′s, with a CIS/Europe/Asia route structure.

It’s always good to see an airline expand within its means and it looks like Air Astana is going about it slowly and progressively. In these turbulent fiscal times, that can’t be a bad thing.

All Nippon Airlines seems to have some growing pains with it’s introductory long haul 787 service, with 2 of the 10 flights operating between Tokyo-Haneda and Frankfurt so far.

Whilst ANA has five 787′s so far, only one of them is equipped for long haul duties (JA805A),  with a failure with the aircraft flap system on the ground at Toyko-Haneda with one incident, and computer failure with the other incident.

In both cases, NH203/204 was cancelled.

When the 787 isn’t scheduled on the Tokyo-Frankfurt run, it’s scheduled to be run with a Boeing 777-200ER.

ANA in this case, as a new aircraft and a launch carrier, they’re expecting teething issues with the aircraft, and are working with Boeing to solve them. In some cases the 787 fleet is performing very well, with a 96.3% on-time reliability on Japan Domestic operations. The number may look a bit low, but considering the group average is 96.5%, it’s not a bad show to say the least.

Hopefully the 787 international performance – whilst low in numbers so far – improves in the next few weeks.

All I’m saying is this: If a Boeing 777-200ER turns up at the gate when I go to Japan… I won’t be amused to say the least….

Well the 787 is starting to come of age now as All Nippon Airlines begin to stretch the 787 wings from domestic Japanese runs to International run, connecting Tokyo Haneda Airport to Frankfurt.

ANA have Five Boeing 787′s in service, with one of them dedicated to the HND-FRA run. Running initially 3 times a week until February 1st, where it will go 3 times a week with 787 equipment, 4 times a week with 777-200 equipment. From March, the aim is to go 787 throughout

The International Boeing  787 is configured for long-haul with  46 business-class seats and 112 economy-class seats.

Those who are wondering why ANA have chosen Frankfurt over another city (lets say – London Heathrow), it boils down to slots and times. As Tokyo HND is restricted in terms of International Departures/Arrivals, and slots at another airport (again, lets call it London Heathrow Airport).

ANA being the first carrier is hoping for a big delivery of 787′s, with 20 to be delivered before 31st March 2013, and 55 delivered in total by 2017.

Already ANA has annouced more routes for the 787, citing  Tokyo HND-San Jose  and Toyko HND-Seattle, and domestic runs  from HND to Itami, Matsuyama and Yamaguchi Ube.

And my personal interest in all of this? I’m due to fly the 787 with ANA very soon….

AirFrance-KLM Group has confirmed today that they are placing an order for 25 Boeing 787-9s with an option for 25 extra birds.

The group has has stated they want the 787-9′s to operate with KLM first – due to commence in 2016 – and with Air France at a date to be determined.

The Boeing 787-9 is a lengthened version of the 787-8 frame, allowing more passengers and frieght to be carried with a higher range – according to Boeing – 264 passengers in a 3 Class Configuration on a 787-8, 280 passengers in a 3 Class Configuration.

Air New Zealand will be the first carrier to operate the 787-9, although it’s highly probable that the Entry into Service date will probably slip (like a lot of the 787 project so far) judging how Boeing is delivering its current stack of 787′s.

AirFrance-KLM is still negotiating its order with Airbus of A350′s with Airbus at this time.

All Nippon Airlines (ANA) have announced dates when it intends to operate 787 on Japanese Domestic routes.

The routes hubbing from Toyko Haneda Airport will serve the following:

Commencing 23rd January 2012
Tokyo Haneda – Osaka Itami
Tokyo Haneda – Yamaguchi

Commencing 1st March 2012
Tokyo Haneda – Matsuyama

International services are still restricted to the changes made on the 15th December, however the Tokyo Haneda -Frankfurt route is still set to commence on the 21st January 2012. The first aircraft operate between Tokyo Haneda-Okayama and Tokyo Haneda-Hiroshima.

There is a also a livery change with the dramatic scheme that was painted on the first two birds swapped for something a bit more… ANA.

Image – Flight International

GhettoIFE.com will be looking further into the 787 over the next few months as the writer may just be going for a ride in one… and hopefully I’ll answer the question “How is it flying in a plastic plane” and “Is it just a 767 on steroids?”

As I eluded to last week, ANA were having trouble with it’s 787 delivery schedule from Boeing (As I was almost hit with the changes to my upcoming 787 flight).

Well, more details are emerging.

ANA has taken 2 of the 787′s into service, but blames Boeing for a “productivtiy” issue over the 3rd plane that was due to be delivered. As such, it’s had to trim following services

• Tokyo Haneda to Beijing service will commence in mid-January as opposed to mid-December, with confirmed operation on 14th, 17th, 18th, January 2012
• Tokyo Haneda to Frankfurt begins on 21st January 2012, with service operating alternately with 787 and 777-200 equipment,  January 21st, 23rd, 26th, 28th, 30th, 2012. From there, 787 commences on the following dates in February – 1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th, 9th, 11th, 13th, 15th, 17th, 19th, 21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th, 29th, 2012

ANA State:

“ANA will continue urgent negotiations with Boeing to deliver the 787 as early and as close to the original schedule as possible,”

“ANA extends sincere apologies for the inconvenience this will cause to customers and appreciate their understanding and patience.”

Boeing state that they are trying to get the plane out of the door as soon as possible, but needs to incorperate more changes.

ANA has been… patience to say the least. The 787 was delayed 40 months from first promised delivery to actual delivery. Meanwhile, ANA have posted some updates on their site, with acknowledgement for free ticket change if you’re targeting 787 only services.

Today, ANA sent a lovely little e-greeting for the Christmas season. And as usual I occasionally have a nose at the site.

As I’m hoping to be travelling aboard an ANA 787 soon as part of my Japan trip. However, I was greeted with this on the ANA site earlier..

Screengrab from ANA – http://www.ana.co.jp/asw/wws/uk/e/

Uh oh. This… is not good. And… it isn’t from first glance….

Screen grab from ANA – Original: http://www.ana.co.jp/topics/notice111215/index_e.html

Checking my dates, it looks like on the plus side I still have 787 equipment on my trip.

However, a quick check of trying to assign seats, and I’m left with a nasty “Unable to assign seats”

What???

A phone call to ANA resulted in an unsatisfactory response stating they could not assign a seat as it was a mileage redemption ticket.  This was also confirmed by a supervisor.

Or in other words – no way to guarantee a window seat until T-24 when check-in commences.

To put it nicely and bluntly… I’m not impressed.

Time to fire off a message to ANA Social Media Team I think…

… even when doing a “miles only” redemption.  But where?

Well the taxes are loaded, and here is a little map to wet your appetite…

Map provided by www.gcmap.com

So I’ll let you all de-construct the routes and plans… as I prepare to plan the return journey home.

And before anyone asks. Economy Class. For this trip – I’ve heard of it… and FRA-HND. I’m sure it won’t take a genius to work out which aircraft I’m wanting to try out…

Today the press are going nuts over ANA taking out their first Boeing 787 for a spin with almost paying customers on board today.

ANA’s first 787 Charter flight – Picture – ANA – http://twitpic.com/75vmz3

The 787 flying as NH7871, did a trip from Tokyo Narita to Hong Kong International, with 240 passengers made up of:

• 82 of them also from the media
• 100 of them from packaged tours
• 6 in business class who were successful bidders of a charity auction held by ANA.
• The others were people from ANA and Boeing

The plane completed it’s maiden paying flight at 15:50 Hong Kong time.

The BBC and Wall Street Journal have more coverage, as has Business Traveller

Now some of you may wonder whilst I’m still very “meh” over the 787. So lets not beat about the bush. It’s Entry Into Service is 3 years late (A record they share with Airbus over the A380). However whilst the cabin may look new – its still a 767 on steroids. Maybe my mind will change when I’ve stepped aboard one, but for now, I’m just unimpressed.

Maybe I’ll be more impressed when more of them are flying, and when they can keep up with an intense daily schedule…

Live from the BBC News feed (as I’m watching BBC News 24), JA801A has arrived at Tokyo Haneda International Airport, completing it’s delivery flight from Seattle Paine Field.

YFrog Image by  ikarosairline – http://yfrog.com/h7tv6pwj

Now for ANA – the hard work begins….

Boeing have formally handed over and delivered the first production Boeing 787 aircraft to All Nippon Airways yesterday, which marks a big landmark for the 787 programme – a delivery  to the customer.

Image – The Boeing Company

The ceremonial handing over of the keys (and the cash in Boeing’s bank account) now complete, the first production frame will be heading off to Japan today (26th September), and will arrive on the 28th September in Japan.

From there is has a pretty tough schedule to meet it’s initial charter flights, and planned entry into service on the 1st November.

For those geekly inclinded, this is “Airplane Eight” out of the 787 factory line, and is registered as JA801A.  Just look for the chevron engines – you can’t miss it.

However, the first missions of these have been largely dictated by the weight of the aircraft (which as a new aircraft – is over), limiting it to Regional (Asia Regional) and Domestic runs until the lighter weight aircraft come on stream.

We’re nearing that magic point in the programme. Boeing has now “made money” from the product – it’s now down to ANA to see if they can deliver the promise of the 787.