At 38,000 feet over Japan on the inaugural 787, photo by Jon Ostrower

The first paying passenger flight by the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner took place yesterday between Tokyo Narita and Hong Kong and spectacular photos are being posted by many of those on board, especially by ‘FlightBlogger‘ Jon Ostrower.

Jon’s photos, almost 300 in total,  can be seen here.

There are also two YouTubes on the internet, the first below identified as coming from the same seat number 12C as Jon’s.

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WQQW6Mq02sA[/youtube]

The external YouTube of the take off confirms that this was a rather leisurely but very quiet takeoff, a much smoother and far less noisy experience than is normal on a 777 in particular.

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OBwV9_Ja-OI[/youtube]

The arrival photo below in the usual choking atmosphere of Hong Kong is from Daniel Tsang at Aspire Aviation, which also publishes some sobering analysis of the production and cost challenges that are ahead for the 787.

Hong Kong arrival photo by Daniel Tsang, Aspire Aviation

The 787 flown  by All Nippon yesterday is configured with 264 seats for domestic services and uses the spacious 8 across format as shown in the view from Ostrower below.  Unfortunately most 787s including the majority of All Nippon’s are being configured with 9 across economy seating, which is as tight as those on a 6 across Boeing 737.

Dream on. Inside a truly spacious Y class 787 cabin. Jon Ostrower