Two years ago, I never thought I would be visiting the Boeing Factory in Seattle. Moving to the US has brought so many aviation opportunities for me. I started working up in Portland, Oregon three weeks ago. Found myself with a couple of days off whilst waiting for work stuff to happen. Decided to visit the Boeing Factory at Paine Field which lies just north of Seattle.
To be honest, I was under the impression that the tour would last fifteen to twenty minutes with minimal views of the factory floor. I was blown away by the ninety minute tour!
First part of the visit was to the 747-8 assembly building. Stood very close to a Lufthansa 747. Amazing to see the 747 still in product albeit in -8 version. I'm yet to see one fly though.
Then the tour moved to the 777 building where several 777's were being built. The 777 assembly moves a few inches an hour!
Finally the tour finished up at the 787 assembly line where I was welcomed by a ANA 787 and the second and third British Airways 787's. On the way back to the tour start location, I passed very closed to the first BA 787 which was waiting for it's paint job!
Got talking to a fellow British guy up there. Turns out it was @Planeinsight on Twitter! Ended up spending a couple of hours with him touring the perimeter of Paine Field! Ended up standing about 500' from the runway where we watched one of the Dreamlifter's depart! First time seeing one of the them!!
I will be sure to visit Seattle again in the very near future to see one of the BA 787's flying for the first time.
BTW, the tour is $18. Great value for money. Only negative part is that no cameras allowed during the tour.
To be honest, I was under the impression that the tour would last fifteen to twenty minutes with minimal views of the factory floor. I was blown away by the ninety minute tour!
First part of the visit was to the 747-8 assembly building. Stood very close to a Lufthansa 747. Amazing to see the 747 still in product albeit in -8 version. I'm yet to see one fly though.
Then the tour moved to the 777 building where several 777's were being built. The 777 assembly moves a few inches an hour!
Finally the tour finished up at the 787 assembly line where I was welcomed by a ANA 787 and the second and third British Airways 787's. On the way back to the tour start location, I passed very closed to the first BA 787 which was waiting for it's paint job!
Got talking to a fellow British guy up there. Turns out it was @Planeinsight on Twitter! Ended up spending a couple of hours with him touring the perimeter of Paine Field! Ended up standing about 500' from the runway where we watched one of the Dreamlifter's depart! First time seeing one of the them!!
I will be sure to visit Seattle again in the very near future to see one of the BA 787's flying for the first time.
BTW, the tour is $18. Great value for money. Only negative part is that no cameras allowed during the tour.
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| The First British Airways 787!! |
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| Dreamlifter departing KPAE |
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| JAL 787 |
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| Dreamlifter arriving at KPAE |
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