15 Hours of Luxury: Flying Non-Stop from Los Angeles to Melbourne in a Dreamliner

When people have flights longer than 10 hours, their story is often ridden with complaints about how uncomfortable the trip was. For a long time, flying nonstop was an option many passengers didn’t like but deemed necessary to get to their destination faster. Thankfully, not all aircraft make long-distance flying such a harrowing experience. The Boeing Dreamliner boasts of great passenger experience for long haul flights. Alexis Fecteau explains this is due to solid engineering and features that improve upon several aviation problems hounding the industry. How is it like to fly nonstop with the Dreamliner? Here is an account of a Los Angeles to Melbourne flight aboard a Dreamliner.

The 8,000-mile flight was made by a Boeing 787-9. On the get-go, there were obvious differences compared to other aircraft. The windows were a lot bigger, and the overhead compartments were larger. And while the seating arrangements for all classes were customized by the airline, it was also noticeable how spacious the cabins were.

As the hours crawl by, it would become even more apparent that the experience with the Dreamliner is different. By hour 10, people aren’t as stressed as compared to flights with the same length. This is because the cabin is pressurized for 6,000 feet but cruises at a higher altitude. And because of the Dreamliner’s state of the art air filtration system, the air has a lot more oxygen. The air isn’t so cold and dry that it would cause discomfort that leads to stress and jet lag.

By the end of the flight, passengers are treated to a surprisingly fresh finish to what has been over 12 hours of flying. Alexis Fecteau notes that the combination of fresh air and in-flight comforts can improve upon one’s comfort levels, especially during these long-haul flights.

Captain Alexis Fecteau is the Director of Marketing for Boeing Business Jets, a division of Boeing Commercial Airplanes. He is a professional pilot and engineer specializing in Performance Based Navigation (PBN) and Required Navigation Performance (RNP). To know more about Mr. Fecteau, you may view his profile here.