Boeing delivers 1st South Carolina-built 787-9 Dreamliner

Ben Mutzabaugh | USA TODAY

Boeing has delivered the first Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner assembled at its South Carolina production line in North Charleston, the company revealed Tuesday.

"In 2012, we delivered our first South Carolina-built 787-8, and less than three years later, we're celebrating another significant milestone – our first 787-9 delivery," Beverly Wyse, VP and general manager -- Boeing South Carolina, says in a statement. "This is an incredible achievement for Boeing, and I'm proud to be a member of the Boeing South Carolina team."

The aircraft also represented another milestone for Boeing, becoming the 250th Dreamliner overall that the company has delivered since the aircraft's debut. It went to United Airlines, becoming the fourth 787-9 in the carrier's fleet. United already has 12 of Boeing's original 787-8 models of the Dreamliner.

The 787-9 delivered to United is a newer, bigger model of the aircraft. Dubbed by some as a "stretch" version of the plane, the 787-9 is about 20 feet longer and has a larger seating capacity than the 787-8.

"Our customers have told us they love flying on the Dreamliner, and we're excited to mark yet another first for the aircraft with this delivery from Boeing South Carolina," Ron Baur, United's VP of Fleet, says in Boeing's statement.

"We were the first North American carrier to fly the 787-8 in September 2012 and the first to fly 787-9s in September 2014," Baur adds. "The Dreamliners have allowed us to fly longer distances with greater fuel efficiency and open new direct routes such as Los Angeles to Melbourne, while providing our customers and employees with a more comfortable flying experience."

Boeing delivered its first Boeing 787 to launch customer All Nippon Airways of Japan in 2011.