Qantas first Boeing 787-9 rolls out of Boeing paint shop

Qantas’ first Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner emerged from the aircraft manufacturer’s paint shop overnight sporting the airline’s updated livery.

The aircraft, which is the 615th Dreamliner to roll off Boeing’s production line, features the new Flying Kangaroo colours, nicknamed Silveroo by plane spotters.

More than 250 litres of paint (approximately 200 kilograms) were applied to the aircraft over a four day period.

The aircraft will carry 236 passengers in a three class configuration with all of the aircraft interiors, including seat installation, largely completed.

During the next few days, further tests will be conducted on the aircraft engines, electrical systems and other components before it takes to the skies later this week for Boeing flight certifications.

Qantas pilots will get the opportunity to fly the aircraft on subsequent flights as part of the final acceptance next month.

Qantas has eight of the aircraft on order and in preparation for the start of services between Melbourne and Los Angeles in December, the aircraft will complete a period of domestic flying for crew familiarisation.

Four Dreamliners will be in the fleet when Qantas launches the first scheduled direct service from Australia to the UK with nonstop flights starting between Perth and London in March next year.