JetBlue Airways asked the U.S. Transportation Department on Wednesday to disqualify United Airlines from winning one of five new round-trip flights from congested Washington Reagan National Airport. JetBlue said United's proposal to add a Washington to Los Angeles flight should be rejected because it would take off before 7 a.m. and the airline said that is prohibited by Congress. On May 16, President Joe Biden signed legislation creating the new flights at the busy airport in Arlington, Virginia, outside the nation's capital. JetBlue has applied for a second round-trip flight to San Juan, Puerto Rico, from Reagan National Airport. United, which said its backup proposal was a new flight to Los Angeles, declined to comment. Comments on applications must be submitted by July 17 and decisions on the new flights by the Transportation Department are to be announced later this month. The Washington, D.C., region has three major airports, but Reagan National is the closest to the U.S. Capitol and downtown. Because of its short runways, its main runway is the busiest in the country. Reagan is the 24rd-busiest U.S. airport as measured in passengers. Delta Air Lines has applied for a new flight between Seattle and Reagan and if successful would compete with Alaska Airlines, which operates the two current daily flights between the airports. Delta heavily lobbied for the change - and had pushed for adding far more daily flights - while United opposed it.<br/>
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On July 11, 2014, the first Air New Zealand Boeing 787 Dreamliner touched down in Auckland, heralding a new era for the national carrier. The aircraft was hailed as a “game changer” thanks to its design and fuel efficiency. Air New Zealand chief customer and sales officer Leanne Geraghty called the 787 “crucial” for the airline. “The aircraft introduced new technology that transformed the travel experience for customers and the flying experience for pilots,” said Geraghty. "Customers saw touch screen in-flight entertainment for the first time, marking the beginning of the end for the onboard remote control. For pilots, the state-of-the-art flight deck transformed the flying experience at the front of the aircraft too. “Its design and fuel efficiency mean it’s the perfect aircraft for ultra-long-haul travel.” Naturally not everything has gone according to plan with several recent engine issues. But the airline is sticking with Boeing and has more Dreamliners on order. Story features a look at some the numbers for the aircraft.<br/>