New aircraft delivery
Hi. Does anyone know what happens between aircraft delivery and first service? For example, Air NZ's new 787-9 was delivered July 8, but first service was apparently September 12.
At something like USD 1.5M+ per month, that's a lot of money to spend to just have the aircraft sitting around. So what exactly is being done? That was a new type, so I am sure there is some training of engineers and pilots and ground staff. But 2 months?
And what about new aircraft that are not first of type? What is happening from delivery to first flight as there always seems to be considerable time between both.
Thanks for any info.