Boeing 787 launch customer All Nippon Airways (ANA) hopes to operate its first commercial flight with the 787-8 as early as January 2011.

The airline plans to follow this with its first 787 international flight in end-March, says an ANA spokeswoman.

"We hope to receive the aircraft in November or December, and operate the first commercial flight to a domestic destination a month after that," she adds, declining to reveal the destination.

The aircraft will enter into service on international routes on the carrier's 2011 summer schedule, which begins in end-March, says the spokeswoman.

Potential destinations include Beijing and Shanghai, and cities on the USA's west coast and Europe.

"The 787 is the replacement for the 767, and we are currently operating the 767 to many Chinese cities like Beijing and Shanghai, so those cities will be under consideration. The 787 can go longer, so we are also evaluating the west coast of the USA and Europe," says the spokeswoman.

ANA expects to receive another seven 787s by the end of its current fiscal year ending 31 March 2011.

Source: Air Transport Intelligence news