Boeing's 787 -- developed in part by local company -- comes to Phoenix

March 08, 2012

The Boeing 787 Dreamliner is scheduled to land in Phoenix on Thursday for a three-day visit. The plane is on a worldwide tour as part of the aircraft’s commercial roll out.

A local company played a major role in the development of the new plane. KJZZ’s Al Macias reports.

Boeing 787 Dreamliner Boeing's new 787 Dreamliner will make a three-day stop in Phoenix as part of the Dream Tour. (Photo courtesy of Boeing)

AL MACIAS: Honeywell, based here in Phoenix, helped to develop flight management, communications and navigations systems for the new passenger jet. The plane will seat up to 290 people depending on the configuration.

Boeing says the plane is the first passenger jet made of lightweight composite materials instead of aluminum. The lighter weight and design means the plane will use about 20 percent less fuel than a similar sized 767 jet. The plane also features bigger windows and overhead luggage bins.

It was scheduled to go into service in the fall of 2008, but design and construction delays and labor issues pushed that back. The first commercial flight for the Dreamliner took place in October of last year. Its estimated time of arrival in Phoenix on Thursday is around 4 p.m.