Release #09.090
December 15, 2009

ALPA Congratulates Boeing on Dreamliner First Flight

WASHINGTON, DC – Capt. John Prater, president of the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA), issued the following statement today on the successful first flight of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner.

“On behalf of the more than 53,000 pilots of the ALPA who fly for 37 airlines in the United States and Canada, I would like to extend my congratulations to Boeing and its industry partners on the successful first flight of the 787 Dreamliner. This achievement not only marks the culmination of a magnificent engineering effort by thousands of people, but also is a milestone in the use of composites in aircraft design.

“In addition, ALPA pilots point with pride at the fact that Boeing followed a long tradition of seeking the ideas of ALPA pilots on features and qualities to be incorporated in this revolutionary aircraft.

“ALPA pilots, and particularly those who will fly the Dreamliner, want to wish our colleagues at Boeing a safe and productive flight test program and continued success in the development of this latest-generation airliner.”

Founded in 1931, ALPA is the world’s largest pilot union, representing more than 53,000 pilots at 37 airlines in the United States and Canada. Visit the ALPA website at www.alpa.org.

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CONTACT: Linda Shotwell, 703/481-4440 or media@alpa.org