Boeing 787 Dreamliner makes appearance at McCarran

McCarran International Airport got its first up-close look at a Boeing 787 Dreamliner jet, the first airliner constructed primarily with fuel-efficient composite materials, when it arrived with a series of military charter flights at Terminal 3 this week.

A LOT Polish Airlines charter arrived and departed three times Monday through Thursday.

McCarran had no other details about the purpose of the flights, other than it arrived Monday from Warsaw, Poland, as a military charter transport and had back-and-forth trips to Europe later in the week.

Boeing launched a new era of air travel with the twin-engine jet because it could fly greater distances with less fuel. Some analysts have called in the perfect aircraft for international travel to Las Vegas because of its moderate seat capacity — it’s configured to fly between 210 and 335 passengers — and a range that could reach China, Europe and South America.

A 787 made a quick stop at McCarran when the aircraft was being tested, but this week’s arrival was the first time that jet type was ever gated.

Boeing rival Airbus Industries is testing a competitive model, the Airbus A350.

There are 24 airlines flying 193 of the jets, including four carriers that regularly serve McCarran, but the aircraft has yet to be used on a Las Vegas route.

The airliner was first used for commercial flights in October 2011, but was beset with a series of problems, including issues with its lithium-ion battery system and fuel leaks. After a series of tests and modifications, the plane was cleared to fly.

Contact reporter Richard N. Velotta at rvelotta@reviewjournal.com or 702-477-3893. Follow @RickVelotta on Twitter.