This is a pictorial report on-board one of the longest Boeing delivery flights in the World from Charleston, SC, USA to Singapore with a stop in Osaka.
Video Review - Highly Recommended
26 March 2018
Boeing South Carolina
Singapore Airlines Boeing 787-10 delivery flight SQ8878 was scheduled to depart from Charleston at 22:00 local time, heading to Osaka; with a flying time of 14 hours 30 minutes; this would be a technical stop before continuing onward to Singapore.
Boeing will be delivering 8 Boeing 787-10’s, the longest B787 variant to Singapore Airlines later this year.
The new B787-10s are configured with 337 seats across two classes, featuring 36 Business Class seats and 301 Economy Class seats. You can see the full review of the on-board product here.
The first B787-10, reg 9V-SCA flew out of Charleston at 10:23 pm.
Singapore Airlines Executives, Boeing Executives, suppliers, support staff and esteemed members of the media were among the 72 passengers on-board this delivery flight.
I ordered a specially designed Singapore Airlines B787-10 T-shirt by Skyshirts in advance for the special occasion.
The delivery flight was pretty much a celebration flight. The media were free to take as many photos and as much video footage as they wished. There were plenty of photo opportunities to be had on this flight.
Instead of the usual Singapore Airlines soft product, our delivery flight was stocked with Boeing branded amenity kit bags along with Singapore Air eye shades, socks and slippers.
The lovely crew signed the menu card for me to bring home as a souvenir.
Our flight had catering supplied by Boeing and was presented on disposable plastic dining ware. This is most definitely not the usual Singapore Airlines Business Class presentation.
Out of 4 dinner main choices, I enjoyed a delicious teriyaki chicken with penne pasta.
Our route map took us flying NW towards Canada, Alaska, over the Pacific and Northern Japan. We initially cruised at FL320 and gradual climbed to FL410.
The pilot even made an announcement about the sighting of The Northern Lights; I was too tired to look out and take pictures in however my fellow passenger, Zach Honig did!
Instant noodles were offered during the complete dark 14 hour cruise over Pacific.
After sleeping for 8 hours, I woke up for breakfast before landing in Osaka at around 1:46am.
The 2 hour technical stop in Osaka allowed for the plane to be refuelled, cabin crew changed and a change of catering.
I managed some in-flight exercise with the airline executives.
ABC and USA today were some of the main-stream media on-board filming and recording the event. ABC is interviewing Brian Kelly from The Points Guy here.
A new set of pilots took over at Kansai; Captain Ian Cheng, on the left, was the B787 pilot in charge and Captain Subramaniam is on the right. Our flying time to Singapore from Osaka was 6 hours 30 minutes.
Not long after takeoff, the sun rose adding color to the sky.
Another round of breakfast was served, this time the catering was of Singapore Airlines standard.
I had this delicious Japanese grill salmon breakfast dish with rice.
Yours truly enjoying a personal moment on-board the Boeing 787-10 delivery flight.
Before landing, hand folded Japanese Cranes were handed out to all of the passengers as a kind gesture.
The Singapore Airlines Boeing 787-10 is powered by Rolls Royce Trent 1000 TEN engine.
At 9:58am we finally arrived at Singapore Changi airport, welcomed with a water cannon salute. We traveled inside the Boeing 787-10 for over 11,000 miles and flew for nearly 24 hours, which made this trip very unique and historical.
Dinesh Keskar, Boeing’s sales chief for the Asia Pacific and India region, said from on-board the plane:"The Charleston-to-Singapore delivery will go down as one of the longest that Boeing has ever made"
With the first Boeing 787-10 delivered to Singapore Airlines, the delivery flight set a historical milestone. The delivery flight aspect differs from regular commercial flight in many ways, this was truly a very unique and special flight.
Not every day you get the chance to fly direct from The Boeing factory to the airline base. The special memory will be treasured. Thank you Singapore Airlines and Boeing for the invitation. I am immensely proud to be part of another piece of aviation history.
Video Review - Highly Recommended
360 degree cockpit and cabin tour
Singapore Airlines B787-10 Cockpit 360 by Sam Chui - Spherical Image - RICOH THETA
Singapore Airlines B787-10 Business Class cabin 360 - Spherical Image - RICOH THETA
Singapore Airlines B787-10 Economy Class Cabin 360 - Spherical Image - RICOH THETA
You can order the T-shirt I am wearing on Skyshirts.com
