Air India operated the first commercial flight of its new acquisition B-787 Dreamliner on September 19, 2012 between Delhi and Chennai.

The fight from Delhi took off on schedule at 0710 hrs amid cheers from the 116 passengers on board. The flight was commanded by Capt Soman with Capt Andrews as second-in-command.

Passenegrs were given rose buds and a special south India meal was served on board to all the passengers. On landing at Chennai the aircraft was greeted with water cannon and later a coconut was broken by the commander, Capt Soman.

The return flight from Chennai to Delhi was also on time and lunch was served to all the passengers. Passengers from both boarding points were also given chocolates and a small memento to mark the occasion. The return flight landed at Delhi at approximately 1330 hrs.

A second flight was also operated between Delhi and Bangalore in the evening departing at 1835 hrs.

The evening also saw Air India receive its second B-787 aircraft (VT-AND) at Delhi from Charleston. The flight was piloted by Capt Nivedita Bhasin who happens to be the only woman pilot for the B-787 commercial aircraft in the world at present, which is another first for Air India.