Warszawa 2022-04-21
Boeing B.787 Dreamliner in Poland.
320a Section 2012-11-15
Tally
Boeing B.787-8 SP-LRA.
On November 15, 2012 (Thursday) LOT Polish Airlines became the first European owner of B 787 aircraft and one of the first in the world. The aircraft received the registration SP-LRA. The aircraft was flown on October 18, 2012 with registration N1026G.
Boeing B.787-8 Dreamliner SP-LRA, No. 61/35938. First flown with registration N1026G on October 18, 2012. Delivered November 2012, flown November 14-15, 2012. Seat configuration BC-18, PEC-21, EC-213. 2 x RR Trent 1000 TEN engines. The national carrier LOT Polish Airlines leases new Dreamliners from ACG.
The aircraft flew to Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) to modify the batteries.
In November 2015, the machine underwent the first C-Check in Europe, performed by LOT AMS Aircraft Maintenance Services. This review lasted about three weeks. It was the first review of this type carried out in Europe. During this inspection, the aircraft’s fuselage plating was damaged. The technicians left a ladder under the hull. While refueling the plane, the machine settled down and touched a ladder, which damaged the plane’s skin. Repairs were made by Boeing and LOT AMS technicians. The plane has returned to flying.
On November 30, 2015, the SP-LRA aircraft performed a flight from Warsaw to New York. Flight LO 26. The plane returned from the RWY threshold to Gate twice, because there was a problem with the brake of wheel No. 8 (on the right side of the plane). Technicians replaced the electronic module and the aircraft made a cruise. The delay was 3 hours.
The aircraft was overhauled in January 2019 and December 2019. Due to the war in Ukraine, B.787 aircraft fly to Beijing, bypassing Belarus, Ukraine and Moscow.
Boeing B.787-8 SP-LRB.
Second B 787-85D No. 78/37894 registration SP-LRB. Delivered on December 21, 2012 to Warsaw. The machine with registration numbers SP-LRB took off on Friday at 05:40 Polish time from Paine Field airport in the USA. She landed around 15:30 at Okęcie. The aircraft was flown on December 1, 2012. Unfortunately, a global problem with catching batteries (see separate article) caused the Dreamliners to enter service in the spring of 2013.
Boeing B.787-8 Dreamliner SP-LRB, No. 78/37895. First flown with registration N1030G on 1 December 2012. Delivered December 2012, flown December 20-21, 2012. Seat configuration BC-18, PEC-21, EC-213. 2 x RR Trent 1000 TEN engines. The SP-LRB aircraft was directed to Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) where it underwent the famous battery modification. The plane returned to Poland on May 25, 2013. The aircraft was overhauled in January 2019 and December 2019.
Boeing B.787-8 SP-LRC.
Third B 787-85D No. 86/35940 registration SP-LRC. Delivered on May 17, 2013. LOT Polish Airlines took delivery of the third B787 Dreamliner on Wednesday (May 15, 2013). On May 17, 2013, in the morning, the plane left the factory in Everett. The cruise was marked as LO9787. In Poland, the machine landed around 16:30. The first flight on March 25, 2013, the plane made immediately with new batteries. The machine was used to test new batteries.
Boeing B.787-8 Dreamliner SP-LRC, No. 86/35940. First flight with registration N1791B on January 13, 2013. Delivered May 2013, flew May 16-17, 2013. Seat configuration BC-18, PEC-21, EC-213. 2 x RR Trent 1000 TEN engines. After the flight, this aircraft remained in Everett to modify the batteries, which is why delivery took place only in May 2013.
On August 6, 2017, when the plane was in Canada’s Toronto-Pearson International Airport, the wing of the standing plane was damaged by another plane. The circumstances of the event. Air Canada Rouge AC1713, Boeing 767-300ER, (C-FMWP), after the flight was taxiing to gate 181 at Terminal No. 1. At that time, the left wing touched the right wing of the Boeing B.787-8 Dreamliner SP-LRC, which was standing in gate 180 at Terminal No. 1 and was getting ready to fly to Warsaw as flight LO46. Passengers were already boarding. The mistake was made by the airport staff who directed the B.767 aircraft to gate 181, which is intended only for narrow-body aircraft, such as Airbus A319, A320, A321. The B.767 aircraft was quickly repaired and returned to flights on August 7, 2017. On the other hand, B.787-8 SP-LRC was repaired by Boeing technicians and only on August 22, 2017 returned with passengers to Warsaw.
Boeing B.787-8 SP-LRD.
Fourth B 787-85D No. 87/35941 registration SP-LRD. Delivered on June 22, 2013. First flight June 4, 2013, delivery flight June 21-22, 2013. The SP-LRD aircraft was grounded for some time due to R-R engine failures. The problems with the Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engines were global and consisted in the engine blades wearing out earlier than expected by the manufacturer. This problem has affected over a dozen airlines around the world and dozens of machines. Boeing B.787-8 Dreamliner SP-LRD, No. 87/35941. First flown with registration N1792B on June 4, 2013. Delivered June 2013, flown June 21-22, 2013. Seat configuration BC-18, PEC-21, EC-213. 2 x RR Trent 1000 TEN engines.
Because PLL LOT was poorly managed, there were no routes for the aircraft to operate. It was decided to put the machine on the service of other airlines. Such a contract was concluded with the carrier Finnair (Finland) for the hot period of transport at the turn of December 2013 and January 2014. The B.787-8 SP-LRD aircraft was rented in the ACMI (wet-lease) formula, i.e. providing Polish crews on board and technical service. The plane was flying on the Helsinki – New York (JFK) route.
Boeing B.787-8 SP-LRE.
Fifth B 787-85D No. 88/ 35939 registration SP-LRE. Delivered on July 30, 2013. First flight on July 15, 2013. Collection in USA on July 29, 2013. At 20:40 Polish time, the plane left the factory in Everett. The cruise was marked as LO9787. In Poland, the machine landed on July 30, 2013, around 05:30. The SP-LRE aircraft, as it turned out, received Rolls Royce engines from a defective production series. The problem was global and affected more than a dozen Dreamliners around the world. Fortunately, the SP-LRE was repaired relatively quickly by replacing the motors. The previous engines remained at the Derby factory for a full overhaul. All repairs were made at Rolls Royce’s expense. The manufacturer himself reported that work on one engine lasted up to 40 days. The engines that turned out to be emergency came from the so-called C Package. They received blades that wore out much faster than the manufacturer assumed. June 2018 was particularly difficult for carriers, when most failures occurred. In total, around 45 Dreamliners have been grounded around the world.
In order to ensure full service of routes, LOT Polish Airlines decided to lease a Boeing 787-9 from Neos airlines, which flew on routes to/from New York JFK and Newark. In addition, PLL LOT used a Boeing 737-500 of the Romanian Blue Air.
Boeing B.787-8 SP-LRF.
Sixth Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner registration SP-LRF TYPE CODE B788 MODE S 48AE05. It is the 161st Dreamliner aircraft, No. 161/MSN 35942. The aircraft was named Franek. Delivered in April 2014. In the period April 2015 – April 2016, the aircraft was leased to Air Europa (Spain).
Boeing B.787-8 Dreamliner SP-LRF, No. 161/35942. First flight with registration N1811B on March 10, 2014. Delivered April 2014, flown April 30 – May 1, 2014. Seat configuration BC-18, PEC-21, EC-213. 2 x RR Trent 1000 TEN engines.
The plane in Poland on May 2, 2014 received its own name Franek from the letter F in the registration. The name was chosen by passengers in an online competition held in March 2014. There were around 1,300 entries. The lucky winner was Mrs. Katarzyna Wąchała from Warsaw, who as a reward flew to visit the Boeing factory in Everett near Seattle, and then returned to Poland on board her "baby". Thus, she became the first passenger on the first long-haul flight of the youngest aircraft in LOT’s fleet to Warsaw. "The registration number of this aircraft is SP-LRF, so: firstly – F for Franek, secondly – F is the 6th letter of the alphabet and the 6th Dreamliner in the LOT Polish Airlines fleet, thirdly – Franek is a Polish, timeless name, fourthly – Franciszek , is also the name of two aces of the sky: Franciszek Peter and Franciszek Jacha, and fifthly, it is also the name of Franciszek Żwirko” – wrote Katarzyna in the justification.
As in the case of the SP-LRD aircraft, the machine was exposed to the services of other carriers. The plane was licked by Air Europa (Spanish company founded in 1986). The lease lasted from April 2015 to April 2016. After this time, the plane returned to the routes of PLL LOT.
At the beginning of September 2018, it turned out that there was a problem with the engines and the plane was grounded for several months, waiting for new engines. The situation was made more difficult by the fact that the problem was global, i.e. dozens of Dreamliners of various airlines were out of service around the world due to Rolls-Royce engine failures. Repairs and replacement of engines were carried out at the manufacturer’s expense. It was also supposed to pay compensation to carriers for the time the planes were grounded. Rolls-Royce estimated that in 2018 it spent £440m on the repair and replacement program for faulty Trent 1000 engines. The SP-LRF aircraft was operating from Budapest to New York and Chicago. On this route, it was replaced by a Boeing 767 of EuroAtlantic, which flew for the first time on September 6, 2018.
Boeing B.787-8 SP-LRG.
The seventh Boeing 787-85D Dreamliner, registration SP-LRG. Manufacturing number (MSN) 35944. This is the 568th Dreamliner aircraft. Delivered to Warsaw on June 9, 2017. The plane was flown on May 23, 2017. It has a C18, W21, Y213 seat configuration.
Boeing B.787-8 Dreamliner SP-LRG, No. 568/35944. First flown with registration N1955B on May 23, 2017. Delivered June 2017, on flight June 9-10, 2017. Seat configuration BC-18, PEC-21, EC-213. 2 x RR Trent 1000 TEN engines.
The flight to Poland lasted 9 hours 45 minutes. Landing at Okęcie Airport took place around 11:00. In Poland, the plane received its own name Grażyna, i.e. Cichociemni – paratroopers of the Home Army. On both sides of the hull there is a sign of the Home Army paratroopers. The SP-LRG aircraft flew to Toronto on its first flight. Thanks to the seventh B.787-8 aircraft in the colors of PLL LOT, it was possible to launch a permanent connection between Kraków and Chicago, and it was possible to return a blighted Boeing 767-300ER aircraft from EuroAtlantic Airways, which was used to operate the connection from Warsaw to Newark.
Boeing B.787-8 SP-LRH.
Eighth Boeing 787-85D Dreamliner, registration SP-LRH. Manufacturing number (MSN) 35943. This is the 583rd Dreamliner aircraft. Delivered to Warsaw on July 15, 2017, around 09:00. The plane was flown on May 25, 2017. It has a C18, W21, Y213 seating arrangement. On the hull there is an inscription in English "Proud to fly the Polish Olympic Team". The plane received an installation for Internet transmission, although initially the Wi-Fi service was not available. The fact that the aircraft has such an installation is evidenced by a small dome placed on top of the fuselage. The SP-LRH aircraft was grounded for some time due to defects in the R-R engines.
On July 14, 2017, LOT Polish Airlines took delivery of the eighth and last of the ordered Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft in the USA. Mr. Monty Oliver, vice president of sales for Europe at Boeing Commercial Airplanes, said that the Polish carrier is an important partner for Boeing. – “We have a special relationship with LOT. Already in November 2017, the airline will receive the latest generation narrow-body aircraft straight from our factory, the Boeing 737 MAX.” added Mr. Monty Oliver.
The flight of Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner SP-LRH from Everett to Warsaw lasted 9 hours and 15 minutes. At Okęcie Airport, he was greeted with a water salute. The B.787-8 SP-LRH aircraft was initially intended for routes to Seoul, Tokyo and New York. Boeing B.787-8 Dreamliner SP-LRH, No. 583/35943. First flight with registration N1955B on June 28, 2017. Delivered July 2017 on flight July 14-15, 2017. Seat configuration BC-18, PEC-21, EC-213. 2 x RR Trent 1000 TEN engines.
Compared to the previous B.787-8 aircraft in the colors of PLL LOT, this copy has received an installation that will enable internet access via Wi-Fi for passengers in the future. The distinguishing feature of this installation is an additional element (antenna) on the hull. However, for the time being, LOT Polish Airlines will not offer this service to passengers. On July 15, 2017 at 9:00 am, the SP-LRH aircraft landed at Okęcie Airport.
In 2022, there were still 8 B.787-8 aircraft in the LOT Polish Airlines fleet.
Boeing B.787-9 SP-LSA.
The ninth Boeing is the first aircraft in the 787-9 version with an extended fuselage. Delivered to Warsaw on March 22, 2018, around 09:00. The aircraft received SP-LSA registrations. Serial number 38083. LN-678 series, i.e. 678 Dreamliner. It was flown on March 15, 2018. Powered by 2 x RR Trent 1000 engines. C24, W21, Y249 seating configuration, which means it takes 294 passengers on board. The plane also has the greatest range. It made its first commercial flight in March 2018, on a flight to Toronto. The SP-LSA aircraft was grounded for some time due to R-R engine failures.
Boeing B.787-9 Dreamliner SP-LSA, No. 583/35943. First flown with registration N1995B on March 8, 2018. Delivered March 2018 on flight March 22-23, 2018. Seat configuration BC-24, PEC-21, EC-249. 2 x RR Trent 1000 TEN engines. The plane at Okęcie airport landed on March 23, 2018 at 9:00 am. It made its first flight with passengers to Toronto on March 28, 2018. In March 2018, LOT Polish Airlines operated 95 fixed routes, had 51 aircraft, including 8 B.787 aircraft.
It is worth mentioning that registrations from SP-LSA to SP-LSK were carried by Il-18 aircraft used by LOT Polish Airlines. These were 10 Il-18 aircraft in the W and E versions, operated in the period from 1961 to 1990.
Boeing B.787-9 SP-LSB.
Tenth Boeing B.787-9 registration SP-LSB. Delivered on May 5, 2018, around 11:00 am. The first flight was made on April 23, 2018. It is a 694 Dreamliner. Serial number 38084.
Boeing B.787-9 SP-LSC.
Eleventh Boeing B.787-9 registration SP-LSC. It is a 710 Dreamliner. Manufacturing number (MSN) 39293. First flight on June 14, 2018. Delivered to Warsaw on June 27, 2018. The plane received the original painting on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of Poland regaining independence.
Boeing B.787-9 SP-LSD.
Twelfth Boeing B.787-9 registration SP-LSD. The fourth version -9. MSN No. 38087. He arrived in Warsaw on 2019-02-07 at 07:00.
Boeing B.787-9 SP-LSE.
The thirteenth Boeing B.787-9 registration SP-LSE. Fifth version -9. No. 843 MSN 62173. He arrived in Warsaw on 2019-05-02.
Boeing B.787-9 SP-LSF.
Fourteenth Boeing B-787-9, registration SP-LSF, designation LN855/ZB750. Sixth version -9. The first B.787 aircraft for LOT Polish Airlines built at the North Charleston factory. He arrived in Warsaw on 2019-06-06. The aircraft is leased from CIT Leasing, which belongs to the Irish lessor Avolon Aerospace. As a curiosity, it is worth adding that the registration of the SP-LSF was held by the Iliuszyn Il-18 used by LOT Polish Airlines in the years 1965-1991. This aircraft remains active with S Group International (EX-601) to this day.
Boeing B.787-9 SP-LSG.
The fifteenth Boeing B-787-9, registration SP-LSG, and the seventh -9, arrived in Poland in autumn 2019. In 2019, LOT Polish Airlines had 7 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft. In 2021, the "Chinese virus" pandemic meant that LOT Polish Airlines did not take delivery of two B.787 aircraft. These planes were parked in the Mojave Desert by the manufacturer. These are SP-LSH and SP-LSI aircraft.
In 2022, there were still 7 B.787-9 aircraft in the LOT Polish Airlines fleet.
New Boeing B.787-9 for LOT Polish Airlines.
When freemasonry and leftism lost power in the Republic of Poland, there were also changes in the management of LOT Polish Airlines. Our national carrier began to regain its rightful position. The company gradually became profitable. The planes owned by the company began to carry passengers, so it soon turned out that more machines should be ordered. To the existing eight (8) Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner machines, it was decided to add another four (4) B.787, this time in the larger version of the Boeing 787-9. While 30 years ago, the Boeing B.767-300 aircraft could take a maximum of 269 passengers on board, the Boeing 787-9 can take on board a maximum of 294 passengers. In this way, the Boeing 787-9 aircraft is the largest aircraft in the history of LOT Polish Airlines.
In 2016, LOT Polish Airlines carried 5.3 million passengers, and in 2017 already 6.8 million passengers, i.e. almost 1.5 million more. At that time, the carrier received four new aircraft from Boeing: two B.787 Dreamliners and two B.737 MAX 8s. There were plans to acquire further B.787s, three B.737 MAX 8s and six Embraer 195s. Four more were available as options. (4) B.787 aircraft.
So far, all Dreamliners for the Polish carrier have been manufactured in Everett, USA. Everett is north of Seattle, Washington. The planes were delivered on a non-stop flight from the company’s Paine Field airport in Everett to the Okęcie airport in Warsaw. Flight time about 9-9.5 hours.
ACG.
Our national carrier leases new Dreamliners from ACG under an operating lease. Aviation Capital Group (ACG) is a private, indirect subsidiary of Pacific Life Insurance Company. He deals with operational leasing of aircraft. The company is profitable and has a strong relationship between aircraft manufacturers and airlines. It manages over 430 turbojet aircraft leased by 95 carriers in 45 countries. It also manages company assets as part of the Asset Management service. ACG has been on the market since 1990. The company’s headquarters is Newport Center Drive, Suite 300 Newport Beach, CA 92660, (California) USA. In addition, it has six regional centers: Beijing (China), Dublin (Ireland), Santiago (Chile), Seattle (USA), Shanghai (China), Singapore (Republic of Singapore).
Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner SP-LSA.
The Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner is nearly 63 meters long, which is over six meters longer than the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner. This was achieved by inserting additional hull segments. In addition, the B.787-9 aircraft has enlarged internal tanks. This gives it a range of 13,350 km. This is 700 km more than the B.787-8.
Both versions of the B.787 aircraft for LOT Polish Airlines received the same Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 TEN engines and can be interchanged between the machines. Since the B.787-9 takes more passengers on board, the fuel consumption per passenger should be lower, so the machine should be more economical.
It is worth adding that the B.787-9 is a medium-sized aircraft in the family. The Boeing concern already has the largest model marked B.787-10. B.787-10 aircraft have been delivered to users since March 2018. It is 11.5 meters longer than the smallest Dreamliner. While the smallest in a three-class cabin can accommodate 242 passengers, the largest Dreamliner can accommodate over 300. The difference increases even more if the carrier decides on a single-class layout. Then the plane can take up to 440 passengers. However, the longer fuselage results in a shorter range of the aircraft by more than 1,700 km than in the case of the Polish B.787-8.
The ceremonial handover of the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner took place in Everett. On March 22, 2018, Rafał Milczarski, President of PLL LOT, officially received the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner SP-LSA at the company’s delivery center. The Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner SP-LSA aircraft took off on March 22, 2018 for a flight to the Republic of Poland and landed in Warsaw after 9 hours and 30 minutes. The Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner SP-LSA landed at Okęcie Airport at 09:00 on March 23, 2018. The Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner made its first flights to Toronto, Canada and Chicago, USA. More Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner machines will start servicing routes to New York and Seoul in South Korea.
The B.787-9 aircraft of PLL LOT takes 294 passengers on board in the following cabins: Business Class (BC) – 24 seats in the 2-2-2 seating arrangement. Premium class (PEC) – 21 seats in a 2-3-2 seating arrangement. Economy Class (EC) – 249 seats in 3-3-3 seating arrangement.
The B.787-9 in the business class (BC), as in the shorter B.787-8, the seats are in a 2-2-2 arrangement and are folded down to a horizontal, flat bed. Such a bed is 1.90 m long and 0.54 m wide and allows for a comfortable sleep. The seats are set parallel to the axis of the cabin, without turning to the side, as is the case with other carriers. Twisting allows for greater seating density. This class has a full restaurant service. Dishes are served on porcelain dishes, not in styrofoam trays. The menu includes a large selection of wines, including Polish ones.
In total, Polish B.787-9 have 42 more seats than in the B.787-8 version. In the economy class (EC) B.787-9, the distance between the rows of seats is 4 inches longer than in the B.787-8, which increases travel comfort. It is 42 in instead of 38 in. In Economy Class (EC), new generation Zodiac Z300 seats feature larger 10.6-inch in-flight entertainment screens that recline up to 5 degrees. It’s not much, but it’s always something. In addition, the seats have headrests that are height-adjustable in six positions. Each of the seats on board, regardless of the travel class, has been equipped with individual screens of the IFE entertainment system, a network socket and a USB port.
If we are talking about the classes used on board the Dreamliner planes, the Boeing concern offers an even higher class than the business class. This is a class in which the passenger has a private lounge at his disposal. This class is offered, for example, by British Airways’ Dreamliner aircraft. The comfort of this class is, above all, luxurious service at every stage of the journey, from the moment of booking to the final destination. Passengers of this class are handled individually. Their service takes place outside the regular terminal. They are taken to the plane in limousines. On board the aircraft, starting from their own lounge, they have excellent cuisine (as long as English cuisine can be tasty), the possibility of taking a bath during the flight, access to cosmetics from renowned companies and full discretion – whatever that means.
There is an additional toilet in the Polish B.787-9 in the premium class (PEC). The pressurization and air-conditioning system is more efficient due to the larger cubic capacity of the aircraft cabins. The baggage hold is larger and has a volume of 140 cubic meters compared to 115 cubic meters in the B.787-8.
Polish B.787-9s have an electrical installation that will enable the launch of the Internet available to passengers on board. B.787-8 SP-LRH also received such an Internet receiving installation. There is more entertainment on board the B.787-9. Since the B.787 aircraft are the quietest in the world, it is profitable to fly them on the Warsaw-London Heathrow route, because there the airport charges for high noise emissions are very high. This is an order of magnitude around 20% of airport charges.
LOT Polish Airlines is the first airline in the world where long-distance flights are based solely on Boeing B.787 Dreamliner aircraft, so it is one of the most modern carriers around the globe.A few years ago, the Hungarian national airline Malew collapsed and Hungary was left with only the low-cost carrier Wizzar. Since Polish-Hungarian relations are currently very good, as a result of bilateral talks, LOT Polish Airlines began transporting passengers from Budapest across Wielka Woda. Currently (April 2018), a permanent service base for PLL LOT Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft has been established in Budapest.According to the calendar, the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner SP-LSB is to be delivered in April 2018, the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner SP-LSC in June 2018, and the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner SP-LSD in January 2019.
Production B.787 Dreamliner.
The Boeing production hall in Everett, where commercial aircraft B.747-8, B.767 (last units), B.777 and B.787 are assembled, is currently the largest industrial facility in the world, both in terms of area and volume. The facility was built in 1969, especially for Boeing B.747 aircraft. It is expanded from time to time. The first major expansion took place in 1980 for the production of B.767 aircraft, and then in 1993 for the production of B.777 aircraft. Currently, it covers an area of 398,000 square meters, i.e. almost 40 hectares. It has the height of a 9-story apartment block.
B.787 Dreamliner production continues at Everett and Charlston. The first plant produces around 8 aircraft per month, and around 4 at Charlston. Final assembly is carried out in both plants, as the essential elements of aircraft are made in factories scattered around the world.
The first assembly consists in merging five parts of the hull into one solid. Then, the main assembly begins, which takes place at four successive stations. The future aircraft spends 3-4 working days at each position. First, the wings and empennage are attached to the fuselage. Then the chassis, engine pylons, windows and doors, installations, aggregates, partition walls, cockpit equipment, toilets, kitchens, panels on the walls and ceilings, floor coverings, armchairs are assembled. The last engines are installed. Moving the aircraft to the next position takes place during the night shift. After 14-16 days, the aircraft leaves the main assembly hall and is prepared for the first flight, which takes 2-4 days. The flight is performed by the Boeing test crew. The flight takes about 70-90 minutes. Contrary to the B.737, B.747, B.777 aircraft, the painting of the aircraft is carried out at the beginning, before the fuselage is merged.
In general, it can take up to 3 weeks from the completion of assembly to the first flight. The aircraft is painted with polyurethane paints that are durable, abrasion resistant and do not turn yellow. One plane requires 60-70 liters of polyurethane paint. Because varnishing is relatively expensive, most lines base their color palette on white, adding only the inscription and colored vertical tail. It also has the advantage that when the aircraft is sold (handed over), the cost of its rebranding is low. After issuing all certificates of conformity, the aircraft is collected by the carrier after approximately two weeks. Then the receiving flight with the manufacturer and the buyer takes place and all documents are signed. It takes about 2-4 working days and the plane departs. As a result, it takes two months from the fuselage assembly into one block to handing over the aircraft to the recipient.
Subjectively about B.787.
The reluctance of freemasonry and leftism to everything that is Polish is shocking. The worse it is said and written about Poland, the happier they are. They hate Poland in their genes. As one of their leaders said – "Polishness is abnormal." That is why decision-makers who decided to purchase B.787 Dreamliner aircraft for PLL LOT were scolded. Journalists did not even hesitate to use statements – "For PLN 4.8 billion, junk was bought." That "The apple of PLL LOT’s eye, the plane of dreams, is an ever-breaking junk." "There are more reports of failures on these great machines than success stories."
The Polish-language press demands that these planes break down and burn. This was the case, for example, on July 12, 2013, when it was reported that one B.787 was on fire at Heathrow Airport and the other had to turn back from the route. Of course, it was not stated that these were not planes belonging to PLL LOT. The Ethiopian Airlines plane that burst into flames made a scheduled flight the next day. The airport guard who appeared at the plane was just in case. By the end of 2012, Boeing had delivered 49 B.787-8 machines to customers, including 23 machines to companies in Japan.
The fact is that the turn of 2012 / 2013 was difficult for the B.787. The problem was modern lithium-ion batteries, which gave off so much heat that they could catch fire. Boeing successfully dealt with the problem in April 2013. Boeing has paid compensation to the affected companies. However, their size was not specified. In any case, the compensation paid did not shake the financial liquidity of the Boeing concern, which in the second quarter of 2013 earned USD 1.09 billion net, which is 13 percent. increase over the same period in 2012.
During this period, LOT Polish Airlines already had two B.787-8 aircraft in its fleet, which had to be grounded. This situation worsened the financial condition of PLL LOT, which was already poorly managed. It was mentioned that the company lost several million zlotys. How the problem between PLL LOT and Boeing was resolved remains a mystery to the interested parties. According to one of the portals, PLL LOT wanted to obtain compensation in the amount of PLN 90 million, of which PLN 60 million in cash. Payments were to be made in tranches. Some of them were to be included in the next machines. At that time, the list price of the B.787-8 aircraft was $ 225-250 million.
An unusual event occurred on October 16, 2013, when a piece of skin fell off the B.787 airframe. The Air India plane was making one of its typical flights. The crew did not receive any information or notice any alarming symptoms. The plane made the voyage safely. After landing, it turned out that a fragment of the plating from the lower part of the airframe between the fuselage and the right wing had fallen off. Its dimensions are approximately 2.50 m x 1.50 m. This element is only a fairing and a cover and does not transmit any forces. Its detachment may have been the result of an error by the ground crew, which after the inspection did not attach it properly.
On September 26, 2014, Barbara Pijanowska-Kuras, spokesperson for PLL LOT, that there was no fire was of no use. According to the freemasons, the plane was on fire. B.787 Dreamliner flight LO4 from Chicago to Warsaw had to land at Glasgow airport. The crew received a signal described as "general distress alert". The message was generated by the fire alarm system. In accordance with the procedure, after landing, the aircraft was inspected, which showed no threat. The plane took off and continued its flight to Warsaw safely. On September 28, 2013, one of the Polish B.787-8 performed a flight from Toronto to Warsaw. The transponder refused to work. A device by which an aircraft is identified by air traffic control services. Such a defect is not a serious problem, unless it is recognized by the air controllers of the countries it passes. Norwegian air control refused permission to fly with such a defect. Therefore, the plane had to land in Iceland, Keflavik. Two planes were sent for passengers: B.737 and Embraer 190.
The fact is that the childhood of B.787 was difficult, but not tragic. During all the incidents and failures, no one was injured, let alone killed. Security procedures at Boeing are very high, and the NTSB constantly monitors the development of the program. Let’s add that the program is extremely technically advanced. The B.787 is technologically ahead of all other commercial aircraft. The plane had problems not only with the electrical system (batteries), but also with Rolls-Royce engines, also very technologically advanced. The fans of these motors have blades made not of metal, but of composites. There was also a crack in the cockpit window. The crew, on a B.787 flight from Tokyo to Matsuyama in January 2013, noticed small radial cracks in the cockpit glass. A plane belonging to a Japanese airline was grounded after landing in Matsuyama.
On March 24, 2018, a Polish aircraft B.787-8 performed a charter flight from Cancun, Mexico to Warsaw. Due to an engine fault signal and related procedures, the aircraft landed at New York Airport. The plane touched down in the escort of emergency services at JFK Airport in New York at 3:02 Polish time. Most of the passengers did not have American visas and could not leave the airport, they were transferred to another LOT Polish Airlines plane and returned to Warsaw. This plane took off from New York at 5:26 Polish time. Passengers who were scheduled to fly on this plane, which took off from New York at At 5:26, hotels were provided and they flew on another cruise. Other failures include faults in the braking system, leaks in the fuel system.
The Boeing B.787 is a truly passenger-friendly commercial aircraft. The manufacturer strived to ensure that even on the non-stop Warsaw-Sydney route, where the journey takes 15-16 hours, the passenger would be as tired as possible. The solutions used are almost a revolution in terms of comfort for the average Kowalski. The pressure that prevails in the cabin of an airplane flying at an altitude of 11,000 m is the same as on Kasprowy Wierch (approx. 1,900 m), so much higher than in other commercial aircraft, where it is as high as on the top of Rysy (2,400 m ). This reduces the effects of altitude sickness, dizziness and nausea, and combined with 8% more oxygen, higher humidity and better air filtration, it reduces the feeling of fatigue.The current operation confirms that the B.787 brings the expected 20% savings compared to previous generations of machines. The huge range of the B.787 aircraft allows you to fly non-stop, which is beneficial for travelers. The windows in the cabin are much larger, which has a positive effect on the well-being of passengers. They are over 30% larger than windows installed in other aircraft and measure 0.27 m x 0.47 m. In addition, they are placed higher, which allows you to see the horizon all the time without bending over. The lighting in the cabin is made in LED technology and has the ability to change color and intensity. In this way, the circadian rhythm for passengers can be maintained. The B.787 Dreamliner’s industry-leading technology creates extraordinary opportunities for airlines around the world and dramatically improves the quality of air travel.
In 2019, LOT Polish Airlines took delivery of the seventh B.787-9 SP-LSG aircraft.
2020.
At the end of 2019, China led to the creation of a pandemic "corona virus" rightly called "Chinese virus". As a result, many countries introduced restrictions, which affected air traffic. Therefore, in 2020, the Polish government together with LOT Polish Airlines organized an action called "Return home". It was about bringing to Poland all our citizens who wanted to return home. In this action, among others, B.787 aircraft were used. This fact did not go unnoticed by the Polish-language media, which criticized everyone and everything. They effectively concealed the fact that one B.787 flight is cheaper than two B.737 flights on the same route. They did not state that airport charges for B.787 are the lowest due to low noise.
2021.
In 2021, the "Chinese virus" pandemic meant that LOT Polish Airlines did not take delivery of two B.787 aircraft. These planes were parked in the Mojave Desert by the manufacturer. These are SP-LSH and SP-LSI aircraft.
Written by Karol Placha Hetman