Boeing 787 Grounds United Flights

United Airlines, along with other airlines, had plans to run the mid-size, long-range, and fuel-efficient Boeing 787 on direct routes that would allow higher revenue and higher margins.  With Boeing unable to find the root cause of the battery issues, airlines are forced to delay the new routes.


Boeing 787 grounding puts cities in costly holding pattern
In early December, Japan Airlines started direct Dreamliner service four times a week between San Diego and Tokyo. It was a major coup for San Diego to establish the direct service to Japan. To make it happen, the San Diego Airport committed $750,000 in marketing support and discounted landing fees for JAL at an estimated cost savings of $351,000.
Two weeks after the Dreamliner grounding, JAL resumed direct flights to San Diego using Boeing 777 planes in its fleet.
...
Because the Dreamliner is smaller than other long-haul wide body planes like the 777 or 747, it is particularly well suited to connect midsize cities that may not be able to generate enough traffic to consistently fill a larger plane. It's the reason so many airlines are attracted to the Dreamliner. Opening new long-haul routes in new cities is one way airlines plan to grow revenue over the next 10-20 years.


Pictures of some of the marketing support provided by the San Diego airport: