A Boeing donation of 787 Dreamliner to Seattle’s Museum of Flight

More than 10,000 turn out to welcome ZA003, the third 787, into the Museum of Flight’s permanent collection. A Boeing donation became a community celebration as the third 787 Dreamliner became part of Seattle’s Museum of Flight.
More than 10,000 Boeing employees and retirees, their families and friends, and members of the public turned out during the weekend for an up-close look at ZA003, the first of three flight-test 787s Boeing plans to share with museums around the world.

[@Hawkeye6936]

The simple fact is that the OT&E aircraft are a learning curve. Discover what we think versus what is actual performance. It is cheaper and safer to make improvements on future production models but when the testbeds become too expensive to retrofit, those donations spark the imagination of youth, our aviation future engineers and aerospace workers. This has been the standard for many manufactuers for many years. Hats off to BOEING and our future aerospace technicians!

[@flywithjacob]

I saw the Dreamliner's first touchdown; it's one of my favorite memories.

[@prorobo]

I'm sure this makes all the airlines who are waiting on late deliveries of their 787 orders happy.

[@pahtar7189]

I toured it yesterday. Most impressive!

[@drewbin101]

Wow! Are they going to leave those RR GE 90 engines on the aircraft? Those babies are not cheap! Worth more than the aircraft! Nice gift to Seattle though! Birthplace of Boeing!

[@lancmac]

It is good to see... I worked on ZA001, 002, 997, 998 and 003 while on the floor. I continued on in QA up to ZA065 and even participated in Air India test flight.

[@ebaba2008]

Nice...cannot wait to visit the Museum ;)

[@maasdigital]

My understanding is that this is a test aircraft that differs in many ways from the final production model, and therefore would require costly rebuilding in order to "bring it up to code" to meet FAA specs and enter actual passenger service. I'm sure Boeing analyzed this option in great detail before concluding that it's better just to write off the airframe.

[@Kuubi99]

Nice vid, keep up the good work Boeing!!

[@flypawels]

I took a tour on ZA003 when it came for a visit to Toronto.

[@shotaroinagaki]

:OOOO can't wait to go see it!

[@Pfsif]

The safest place for a 787 is in a museum.

[@NicholasJohnson57]

One of the other test and evaluation aircraft ZA006 I believe is being sent to Mexico for use by the heads of state and other government uses. It is being purchased by the government of Mexico

[@ahmedjolani]

Is it history now? I feel like it's the child that nobody wants to keep lol.

[@NicholasJohnson57]

This aircraft is best served as a museum piece and not in service. it has been tested, modified and damaged so it is time to retire. The structure is not fit for service and its time to write it off. Now it can be used a tax free donation to the museum or something so more people cane enjoy it or they would scrap it.

[@ashyuiykjhgjygj]

when did this video film?

[@tahititoutou3802]

I can't understand what is the point of donating a brand new 787 to a museum where it will be useless. Simon H suggests donating it to an airline instead where it will be able to perform many tasks. Personally I would rather, since Boeing seems to have planes to give away, donate it to a charity organisation like World Vision, UN's World Food Program, or another non-profity organisation which would use it for humanitarian purposes. Boeing makes zillions of $$$ selling military weapons and aircraft to help destroy the world and "donate" misery and death ; it could use one plane to help alleviate the effects of so much stupidity!

[@lberman5707]

its sad to see a capable plane be donated to the Museum of Flight never to fly again.

[@crazypilot7577]

This aircraft was the third 787-8 Dreamliner ever made, and with her round the world flight to 23 countries, she had a short time flying, but did what a normal airliner does in 20-30 years, all in a few. Besides if Zulu Alpha 003 didn't end up at the museum of flight, it would've been scrapped eventually. So I believe Zulu Alpha 003 deserves to be there now.

[@matthewchen2671]

FIRST

[@jamesstephenson4422]

bit of a waste of a perfectly good airplane