Boeing 787 Dreamliner Sets New Record at Kelowna International Airport

A chartered Boeing 787-900 Dreamliner made history. The wide-body jet landed at Kelowna International Airport (YLW) on Saturday morning. This arrival marked the largest commercial passenger jet ever to use the terminal. The event drew significant interest from local aviation enthusiasts.

Record-Breaking Arrival

The aircraft was an Air Canada 787-900, a modern wide-body jet. It was chartered by Lordco Auto Parts for a client appreciation trip. The flight carried nearly 300 passengers to Kona, Hawaii. The Dreamliner flew into YLW empty from Vancouver. It departed shortly after picking up its full passenger load. This type of chartered passenger flight demonstrates YLW's growing reach.

This new record surpasses the previous largest commercial aircraft. That title belonged to a Boeing 767-300 model. The 787-900 is substantially larger than its predecessor. It is 40 feet wider and 25 feet longer.

Operational Milestones

Accommodating the massive aircraft required special planning. YLW airport operations had to take specific precautions. Airport staff briefly closed some taxiways. This allowed the wide-body jet to safely maneuver to the gate. The airport's single runway is 9,039 feet long (2,755m). This length is sufficient for the fully loaded 787-900.

James Hall, YLW's senior manager of operations, commented on the event. He stated the airport can accommodate the jet safely and efficiently. Hall noted the arrival is a "feather in our caps." It demonstrates the airport's reach capability for larger aircraft.

While YLW has hosted larger planes before, they were non-commercial. The airport has previously accommodated the Boeing 747 and the Antonov cargo jet. It has also received large military planes at KF Aerospace. This 787-900 is the largest commercial one to use the main terminal.

Future Wide-Body Potential

The record-breaking aircraft arrival comes at a key time. It occurred just before a major facility upgrade opened. Kelowna International Airport (YLW) is opening a $108 million terminal expansion. This expansion adds over 60,000 square feet of space. It is designed to improve passenger flow and capacity.

The arrival of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner Kelowna demonstrates future potential. It shows the airport is better equipped for larger aircraft. This positions YLW for potential regularly scheduled wide-body services. It supports the region's long-term air travel growth.

• The Air Canada Boeing 787-900 is 40 feet wider and 25 feet longer than the previous record-holding 767-300.
• YLW briefly closed taxiways to allow the largest commercial passenger jet to maneuver safely to the gate.
• The arrival demonstrates YLW's capacity to handle future long-haul, wide-body routes following a major terminal expansion.

flying.flights is your source for accurate commercial aviation news and global aviation updates.