To all the non-aviation enthusiasts out there, you can’t be blamed for thinking Qantas is the first airline in history to receive a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, with all of the publicity surrounding the aircraft’s delivery last week.
There were images and video of the plane – ‘The Great Southern Land’ – everywhere on the internet, it was aired on TVs live across the country and it even made big headlines across news publications including your’s truly, KarryOn.
While Qantas’ version of the aircraft is unique, in that it has fewer, exclusively designed seats and in turn more room and comfort for passengers, it of course isn’t the first Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner to take to the skies.
Image: Victor Pody
And that’s a fact Qantas’ rival, Air New Zealand, wasn’t going to let well-delivered publicity conceal.
In true Trans-Tasman fashion, the New Zealand carrier cheekily took to social media last week to very playfully remind the world that Qantas’ isn’t the only nor the first airline to operate this magnificent vessel, it’s actually one in a club of carriers.
“Congratulations Qantas on the arrival of your 787-9 Dreamliner today,” the carrier wrote before reminding the world of its very own 787-9s, which have been flying for over three years.
“We
ours – flying Dreamliners into Australia since 2014. #BetterWayToFly #Dreamliner #WelcomeToTheClub
“
Air New Zealand
Check out the post below:
Although the Flying Kangaroo may not be the first airline to fly the Boeing 787-9 aircraft (that would be All Nippon Airways), it is the first Australian carrier to receive the plane and the first worldwide to utilise it on groundbreaking routes such as Perth to London direct.
READ: It’s here! Qantas’ ‘dream’ comes true as the 787 touches down in Sydney
READ: Watch out Flying Kangaroo, Air New Zealand is eyeing New York flights too