TODAY IN THE SKY

Detroit, Montreal land first Boeing Dreamliner routes

Ben Mutzabaugh
USA TODAY
A Royal Jordanian Boeing 787 aircraft pulls up to a gate at Detroit on Dec. 1, 2014. Royal Jordanian became the first airline to begin flying the Dreamliner to Detroit.

Detroit and Montreal became the latest North American airports to land airline service on Boeing's new-age 787 "Dreamliner."

That came Monday when Royal Jordanian began flying the 787 on its twice-weekly route between Amman, Jordan, and Detroit. The route makes a stop in Montreal during the winter months. Royal Jordanian eliminates the stop in Montreal and flies nonstop to Amman from both cities during the spring and summer schedule.

As for Detroit, airport officials said the Dreamliner was a welcome addition to the airport's flight schedule.

"For Royal Jordanian to make this commitment and bring the Dreamliner into Detroit is important. I think it says that Detroit is important to them and certainly they are important to us," Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport Authority CEO Tom Naughton says to CBS Detroit. "(The Middle East and Amman, Jordan) is an important market for this region. We are constantly looking at ways to grow that service out of Detroit."

In Montreal, airports chief James Cherry also lauded the new Dreamliner service.

"Aéroports de Montréal is very pleased to welcome Royal Jordanian newest B787 and we are proud to offer this aircraft with the latest technologies allowing it to run a truly modern and seamless operation," Cherry said in a statement. "With this latest addition, the local community will have the opportunity to experience one of aviation's most technically advanced passenger aircraft."

Royal Jordanian's 787s are configured with 271 seats, including 24 seats in "Crown Class" and 247 in coach. The airline employs a sleek black paint scheme for its Dreamliner. The look has become a favorite of many aviation enthusiasts.

Royal Jordanian's fleet now has five Dreamliners, which the airline is using replace older Airbus 340s Airbus 330s. The carrier has plans to take another six Dreamliners beginning in 2016.

Detroit is not the first U.S. Dreamliner route for Royal Jordanian. The airline says it began using its 787s for its Amman-Chicago flights on Nov. 30 and for its Amman-New York flights on Nov. 8.

"We are very proud that Royal Jordanian has this hi-tech aircraft," Zyad Jaradat, Royal Jordanian's regional director for North America and Canada, says to CBS Detroit. "It shows Royal Jordanian's concern about giving the best service and the best aircraft to serve our North American routes."

A Royal Jordanian Boeing 787 aircraft taxis at Detroit on Dec. 1, 2014. Royal Jordanian became the first airline to begin flying the Dreamliner to Detroit.