SARASOTA -- The airline maker Boeing says their massive 'Dreamliner' airplane is the future of airline travel, landing the plane in Florida for the first time Friday night.
The Boeing 787 test plane landed at the airport, marking the first time one of the massive planes touched down in Florida.
On Saturday, dozens of people came to gawk at the plane. In the group of spectators, Scott Neary, along with his wife and two kids, stood in the summer heat in awe of the airliner.
"We're all melting," Neary said, "but it's totally worth it."
He thought it was worth it to see a state-of-the-art plane Boeing calls its 'Dreamliner'. It's a plane Boeing believes is the next generation for airliners.
"Because of the composite material, because of the fuel efficiency, because of the fact that we used more electric power on this airplane than ever before - I think it really has changed the game," said Heather Ross, the chief pilot for the 787.
After testing the plane in several countries around the world, the 787 made it's way to Sarasota-Bradenton Int'l Airport before heading home to Seattle.
Landing at Sarasota-Bradenton Int'l
With larger and more heavily trafficked airports in the region, many wondered why Boeing picked Sarasota-Bradenton for the landing.
"Why not Sarasota?" said Ross. "It's a beautiful location. We've never been to Sarasota before. It gave us the opportunity to come out and to show the airplane to the folks here in Sarasota."
"Obviously, we're very proud to have that unique opportunity," said Rick Piccolo, President and CEO of Sarasota-Bradenton Int'l Airport. "We think it's a great place to come to, hopefully on a regular basis, from an airline."
For Scott Neary, seeing the plane with his family was a history-making experience.
"This is the newest Boeing jet," he said. "It'd be kinda neat someday to see my little girl flying that plane."
The plane took off just before 1:30 p.m. Saturday afternoon, waving it's wings as it made it's way into the sky.
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