On May 5, 2005, Northwest announced a firm order for 18 Boeing 787-8 new-generation jetliners, plus 50 options, with deliveries scheduled to make it the first North American carrier to fly the Dreamliner. NWA and Boeing claimed the 787 would be up to 50% more fuel-efficient than its 747-200 and DC-10 fleet, with excellent cargo capacity and revolutionary passenger comfort features, including better pressurization and humidity control, and large windows. Six aircraft per year were to be delivered in 2008, 2009, and 2010.
Northwest intended to use the 787 to both build its Tokyo hub as well as bolster transpacific service from its domestic hubs.
To the first point, routes from Narita were initially planned to New York JFK and Memphis (JFK was supposed to be the first 787 route) and then to open potential new markets such as Las Vegas and Boston, as well as Vietnam, India, and other Asia-Pacific destinations. Right-sizing capacity to demand on routes such as NRT – Portland, and adding frequencies where needed would also be functions the 787 would be tapped for.
On the second point, routes such as MSP – Shanghai, DTW – Hong Kong, and SEA – Sydney were being discussed in and outside the company. Also, it would have been expected to see the 787 routing through Amsterdam for the same reasons as Tokyo. With all these routing ideas (many of which would later happen by other carriers,) it would have been expected that NWA would exercise many of those options for delivery in the late 90s/early 00s.
Of course, development and production delays notoriously impeded the 787, and even when the aircraft entered into service, early airframes were overweight and suffered from lithium battery overheating. By the time the 787 finally saw deliveries, Delta was in charge of the fleet and instituted a deferment of the order, eventually cancelling it in December 2016.
If you use these photos, please credit the Northwest Airlines History Center – please also contact us to let us know how you’re using them and if we can be of further help!
Because there was never a flying example, our best images come from the imaginations of artists and flight-simulator enthusiasts. Here are some examples (and we are happy to host more, so please send us your creations!):
