By: William Martin, HNW

Huntsville International Airport is hosting a once-in-a-lifetime visit as a Boeing 787 Dreamliner spends the weekend in the Rocket City. The huge airliner landed just before 5 p.m. Friday and was welcomed by a cheering crowd of local Boeing workers and airport officials.

The aircraft arrived almost eight hours after leaving Dublin, Ireland and the visit to Huntsville is part of Boeing's worldwide "Dream Tour" to show off their latest state-of-the-art aircraft.

The aircraft will be open for tours Saturday and Sunday; however, visits are restricted to Boeing employees and their families only.

The public may still see the plane as it is parked between two hangers and is visible from Wall Triana Boulevard near the Westwind facility.

Following remarks by Boeing-Huntsville Vice-President Tony Jones and pilot Mike Bryan, a Grissom High graduate, the plane was opened for a brief tour by local media.

The plane is scheduled to depart Monday afternoon after remarks by area dignitaries.

All photos © HuntsvilleNewswire.com