Aircraft enthusiasts in Sydney aimed their cameras at the heavens yesterday to capture the arrival of the first Boeing 787 Dreamliner in Australia.

This morning, the aircraft, made of a revolutionary carbon-fibre composite, is on display at the airport to celebrate the 91st birthday of Qantas. While there is no public access, media and selected VIPs will join Qantas Group chief executive Alan Joyce, Jetstar Group chief executive Bruce Buchanan and Boeing 787 vice president Mike Sinnett for a tour of the Dreamliner.

The plane is making a round-the-world demonstration flight. Qantas is unlikely to take delivery of its own planes until 2013, when they will go to Jetstar. The test aircraft in Sydney today will fly to Melbourne on Thursday.

The 787 Dreamliner promises 20% greater fuel efficiency than similar-sized planes.

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