Originally Posted by
Regularguy
The 787 was over two years behind schedule, it was supposed to be able to fly IAH - AUK without a fuel stop but can't until the next version is delivered. It has been pulled from ETOPS status twice since it began flying service, multiple on-board fires during testing and service and more.
FWIW, the issue with IAH-AKL has less to do with range and has everything to do with that
big ETOPS 180 hole in the Pacific since Boeing failed to deliver the 787 with ETOPS 330 as originally intended.
It was kinda slick (not in a good way) how Smisek blamed the city of Houston's decision to support SWA's international expansion at HOU as the reason why IAH-AKL would not be UAL's 787 inaugural route when the 787 really couldn't fly it anyway.