Boeing image from video of 787-8 approaching Washington DC

It’s been a long wait, but this video from Boeing of its 787-8 approaching Washington DC’s Ronald Reagan Airport as part of a world tour is a reminder that Air-India says it will start flying Dreamliners to Melbourne and Sydney from September.

Air-India is only talking in general terms at the moment, referring to either six or seven flights a week, each of which will land at both Sydney and Melbourne on rotations that start in New Delhi and may also land in Bangalore.

The schedule will mean that on some days services to or from either Australian city will arrive or depart on non-stop India-Australia flights, or fly via the other capital city.

Which of course, leaves everyone waiting for firm details of the first Jetstar 787-8 services now expected late in 2013 or 2014, or perhaps confirmation of rumors that the reason so little preparation for the Dreamliner is apparent in Jetstar is that the jets will really first serve as Qantas jets.

Qantas is keeping its 787 cards close to its chest. Let’s hope it deals a good hand.