Virgin Atlantic Airways (London) will introduce the new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner on the daily London (Heathrow) – Los Angeles route on April 30, 2015 per Airline Route.
Copyright Photo: Antony J. Best/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner G-VNEW (msn 40956) approaches the runway at the London Heathrow base.
Virgin Atlantic aircraft slide show:ย 
Etihad Airways (Abu Dhabi), the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, has capped an incredible 12 months by unveiling its first Airbus A380 and Boeing 787 aircraft (see videos above) to more than 200 of the world’s media in Abu Dhabi.
The doors to the airline’s two new flagship aircraft – in the distinctive new ‘Facets ofAbu Dhabi’ livery – were opened for the first time to reveal the new cabin interiors, which include the ultra-luxurious Residence by Etihadโข, the only three-room suite in the sky.
Video: Evolution of the new livery.
Etihad Airways also unveiled a new cabin crew uniform at a spectacular catwalk fashion show. It’s the first major uniform re-launch since the airline’s formation in 2003 and incorporates the same colors used for the cabin interior and new aircraft livery.
Video: The new uniform.
Photo: Etihad Airways. The new uniforms.
James Hogan, Etihad Airways’ President and Chief Executive Officer, said, “As we have done so many times in our short history, we are reshaping the landscape of modern air travel in our own way.
In addition to the media event at Abu Dhabi airport, Etihad Airways is also hosting an event for travel industry partners and one for the airline’s staff today, ensuring that by the end of the day more than 1,500 people will have toured the two new aircraft.
The fashion show saw 22 Etihad Airways cabin crew showcasing the new uniform which has been designed by Italian Ettore Bilotta, derived from the new brand identity, and combines elegance, comfort and practicality.
Bilotta, in collaboration with the airline’s Guest Services and Guest Experience divisions, chose a warm chocolate brown as the base colour for the different uniform variations.
A deep purple color is added for cabin crew and lounge staff, and a burnt orange accent color for ground crews and Special Services personnel.
Copyright Photo Above: Gerd Beilfuss/AirlinersGallery.com. The pictured Airbus A380-861 F-WWSS (msn 166) was delivered as A6-APA on December 16. It will be introduced to revenue service on December 27 on the Abu Dhabi-London (Heathrow) route.
Following today’s events in Abu Dhabi, the Airbus A380 and Boeing 787 aircraft will continue test operations before starting commercial flights. The A380 will operate daily to London Heathrow from December 27 and the 787 to Dusseldorf from February 1, 2015.
The entry into commercial service of the A380 will see the introduction of The Residence by Etihadโข, a new cabin that has captured the imagination of the air travel industry since it was unveiled in May 2014.
Photo: Etihad Airways.
The Residence by Etihadโข (above) features a living room, separate ensuite shower room, and as another first in the airline industry, a dedicated Butler.
Measuring 125 square feet in total, The Residence by Etihadโข is located on the forward upper deck of the A380 and is for single or double occupancy.
The Airbus A380 is also the only Etihad Airways aircraft to offer the First Apartment which is a complete living space with a reclining lounge chair and an ottoman, which opens up to become a separate 80.5 inch long fully-flat bed.
Photo: Etihad Airways.
The First Suite on the Etihad Airways Boeing 787 offers guests an enhanced suite with chilled mini-bar, complete privacy and centre seats which can be joined to create a double bed.
A total of 70 Business Studios are located on the upper deck of the Airbus A380, and the Boeing 787 has 28 Business Studios, all offering aisle access and a fully flat bed of up to 80.5 inches long.
The Economy Smart Seat also debuts on the Airbus A380 and Boeing 787 and has enhanced comfort with the unique ‘fixed wing’ headrest on each seat.
Etihad Airways will take delivery of four A380s and three Boeing 787-9s in 2015.
Etihad Airways aircraft slide show:
http://airlinersgallery.smugmug.com/Airlines-Asia-1/Airlines-Asia1-AE/Etihad-Airways
Scoot (Singapore) has announced it will start a new route on November 1, 2015 from Singapore to Melbourne, Australia. The new route will be operated five days a week with the new Boeing 787-9s.
Scoot is now planning to inaugurate Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner service on January 16, 2015 on the Singapore-Perth route.
Photo: Boeing. The first Scoot Boeing 787-9 is the pictured 9V-OJA (msn 37112) due to imminent delivery. The 787-9s will replace the existing Boeing 777-200 ERs.
On October 24, 2012 it was announcedย Scoot, the long-haul low-cost subsidiary of Singapore Airlines, agreed to acquire twenty Boeing 787 aircraft for delivery commencing in late 2014.
The twenty fuel-efficient aircraft will be used to replace Scootโs Boeing 777-200 fleet and facilitate the airlineโs ongoing expansion.
Scootโs 787s will sport a brand new interior as well as the 787โs enlarged windows and unique interior climatic system for a superior level of comfort.
The 20 aircraft were originally ordered by parent company Singapore Airlines. Selection of engines to power the fleet will be made at a later date.
Videos:
Scoot aircraft slide show:
http://airlinersgallery.smugmug.com/Airlines-Asia-3/Airlines-Asia3-QZ/Scoot
Current Route Map:
Air Canada (Montreal) is coming to Dubai with a new Boeing 787 Dreamliner route from the Toronto (Pearson) hub. The airline issued this statement:
Air Canada today said that it will launch nonstop service between Toronto and Dubai beginning in November 2015. The new route will extend the airline’s international network farther into the Middle East at a time of increased travel between North America and the region.
“The introduction of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner to Air Canada’s fleet this year has been a catalyst for our international expansion plans, which will receive an additional impetus in 2015 when the larger Dreamliner 787-9 series aircraft begins to enter the fleet. The Dreamliner has brought international air travel to a new level of comfort and Air Canada has further enhanced the experience with its award-winning, three-cabin service.”
Air Canada currently serves the region primarily through an extensive joint venture with its JV and Star Alliance partner Lufthansa over Frankfurt and Munich. In addition, the new route will build on Air Canada’s existing codeshare relationship with Etihad Airways, with whom it codeshares on three flights a week between Toronto and Abu Dhabi, in the UAE.
Since last December, Air Canada has announced new international service to Delhi, Amsterdam, Rio de Janeiro, Osaka, Tokyo-Haneda and Panama City. Including Dubai, Air Canada now serves or has announced service to a total of 66 international destinations on five continents from its Toronto global hub.
The three-times-weekly service starts on November 3, 2015. Flights will be operated with the Boeing 787 Dreamliner in a three cabin configuration, including next generation lie-flat seats in International Business Class, a Premium Economy cabin, and upgraded In-Flight Entertainment available at every seat throughout the aircraft.
Schedule:
Copyright Photo: TMK Photography/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner C-GHPQ (msn 35257) arrives at the Toronto (Pearson) hub.
Air Canada aircraft slide show:ย
Air Canada (Montreal) today said that it will begin nonstop service from Toronto to Delhi beginning on November 1, 2015. The new route, the first to be dedicated for Air Canada’s Boeing 787-9 series aircraft, will open new opportunities in the Indian subcontinent, currently the largest international market not served by Air Canada.
“Air Canada’s strategy to grow its Toronto Pearson hub and international presence is taking a major step forward with the addition of Delhi to our extensive global network. We will be offering the only nonstop flight from Canada to India using our newest Boeing 787 Dreamliners, which are revolutionizing long-haul air travel. The operating economics of these new aircraft make this service feasible and it will be the first route dedicated to the larger, 787-9 version of this aircraft, which begin entering our fleet in 2015,” said Calin Rovinescu, President and Chief Executive Officer of Air Canada.
The new service will operate four-times-weekly beginning on November 1, 2015.
Schedule: All flights operated with the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner except where noted by (*) which are Boeing 787-8 service:
Copyright Photo: TMK Photography/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner C-GHPT (msn 35258) departs from Toronto (Pearson).
Air Canada aircraft slide show:ย
Virgin Atlantic Airways (London) will operate its new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner daily to Dubai, Johannesburg and Shanghai (Pudong) from London (Heathrow) starting on October 25, 2015 per Airline Route.
Copyright Photo: Ian Bowley/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 787-9 G-VNEW (msn 40956) “Birthday Girl” is pictured at East Midlands on a training flight.
Virgin Atlantic aircraft slide show:
http://airlinersgallery.smugmug.com/Airlines-Europe-3/Airlines-Europe3-QZ/Virgin-Atlantic-Airways
Boeing (Chicago, Seattle and Charleston) has issued this statement:
Boeing started final assembly of the 787-9 Dreamliner at its South Carolina facility. The team began joining large fuselage sections of the newest 787 November 22 on schedule, a proud milestone for the South Carolina team and another sign of stability for the program.
The North Charleston, S.C., site joins Boeing’s Everett, Washington, final assembly, which began 787-9 production in May 2013. United Airlines will take delivery of the first South Carolina-built 787-9.
The 787-9 complements and extends the 787 family, offering airlines the ability to grow routes opened with the 787-8. With the fuselage stretched by 20 feet (6 meters), the 787-9 can fly up to 40 more passengers an additional 450 nautical miles (830 kilometers) with the same exceptional environmental performance โ 20 percent less fuel use and 20 percent fewer emissions than the airplanes it replaces. The 787-9 leverages the visionary design of the 787-8, offering passenger-pleasing features such as large, dimmable windows, large stow bins, modern LED lighting, higher humidity, a lower cabin altitude, cleaner air and a smoother ride.
Copyright Photo: Steve Bailey/www.vrefphotos.com/AirlinersGallery.com). United Airlines is already operating the stretched 787-9 Dreamliner, previously delivered from the Seattle area. Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner N38950 (msn 36401) taxies at Boeing Field in Seattle.
United Airlines aircraft slide show (current livery):ย 
Vietnam Airlines (Hanoi) is planning to launch the new Boeing 787 from both Ho Chi Minh City (twice-weekly starting on July 1, 2015) and Hanoi (three days a week starting on July 3, 2015) to London Gatwick per Airline Route.
The airline has eight Boeing 787-9s on order from Boeing with the first due for delivery next year but is expected to lease additional 787s.
The company also has 10 Airbus A350-900s on order.
Image: Boeing.
Vietnam Airlines aircraft slide show:
http://airlinersgallery.smugmug.com/Airlines-Asia-3/Airlines-Asia3-QZ/Vietnam-Airlines
Virgin Atlantic Airways (London) yesterday (October 28) introduced its new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner (G-VNEW, “Birthday Girl) on the London (Heathrow)-Boston route as planned.
The airline celebrated the new launch with this entry in its blog:
In 1984, the inaugural Virgin Atlantic transatlantic flight took place. To celebrate the 30th anniversary of this historic event, weโre introducing our new Boeing 787-9, also known as the โDreamliner.โ
Named “Birthday Girl”, this brand new aircraft started flying from London to Boston, on October 28, 2014. Itโs a whole new chapter for air travel. Hereโs whyโฆ
The Virgin Atlantic Boeing Dreamliner 787-9The new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner. Prepare for an evolution in air travel
A strong connection
Now, you can stay connected throughout the whole flight with the onboard WiFi connection. So you can tweet from your seat or make a call mid air.
The Wander Wall
Head over to grab a bite to eat or a drink and meet other travellers at the Wander Wall in Premium Economy. And make sure you say hello to our friendly cabin crew, because if there’s one thing they love, it’s getting to know customers from across the globe. Stretching your legs has never been so interesting.
A bright idea
The dynamic new mood lighting on board the 787 Dreamliner
Feel lighter, brighter and say goodbye to jet lag. The new dynamic mood lighting on the 787 adjusts throughout the flight to the destination time zone, helping you arrive feeling relaxed and as energised as you would on a normal day.
Drinks all round
The Dreamliner Bar, a social space for Upper Class travellers
The Upper Class Bar is the new social space for Upper Class travellers. You can relax, chat to friends and other customers. Or just take some time out to enjoy the extraordinary views over your favourite drink. Unwinding never felt so good.
Sitting comfortably
The new 787 offers maximum legroom and soft seating throughout all cabins
Economy seating on the 787 is more comfortable than ever. Weโve made the most of the space around the seats, so thereโs maximum legroom and plenty of space for reclining. Whichever cabin youโre in, the seats are soft and beautifully designed. And if youโre travelling in Upper Class, you can look forward to stretching out in a 33″ wide flat bed. Ceilings throughout are also higher, allowing more air and light to circulate and giving a feeling of space and freedom.
Time flies
Birthday Girl has a maximum altitude of 40,000 feet, a range of over 8,300 miles and speeds of over 640 mph. Prepare to reach your destination faster than you ever thought possible.
Pure and simple
Feeling comfortable onboard the 787 goes even further than advanced seating and ample legroom. The airโs cleaner and the cabin pressure is lower, meaning youโll arrive feeling refreshed and revived. Not only that, the windows are the largest on any commercial aircraft. So you can eat, dine or relax in perfectly natural light. And when youโre ready for the end of the day, the dynamic mood lighting and electronically dimmable windows lower the brightness.
Ending on a high note
Our new 787 is 21% more fuel efficient than the aircraft itโs replacing. It’s innovation at its greenest.
Our 787 Dreamliner is innovative, luxurious and miles ahead. And it’s built to make flying even more enjoyable.
All images by Virgin Atlantic.
Virgin Atlantic Aircraft Slide Show:ย
United Airlines (Chicago) will launch four new Pacific routes, beginning with nonstop service between Los Angeles and Melbourne, Australia, and between San Francisco and Tokyo’s Haneda Airport, on October 26, 2014. Later in the week, the airline will also launch two new routes from its Guam hub โ Seoul, South Korea, on October 27 and Shanghai on October 28.
Los Angeles โ Melbourne, Australia
The airline will fly the Los Angeles โ Melbourne route six times weekly with the new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft (above). United is the North American launch customer for the 787-9, and this will be the carrier’s first international deployment of the aircraft type.
United has timed the new Melbourne flights to conveniently connect at Los Angeles with an extensive network of service throughout the United States, Canada and Latin America. United and United Express jointly operate nearly 200 flights daily from Los Angeles to more than 65 destinations. With this new service, United will provide convenient one-stop service to Melbourne from more than 37 U.S. cities.
United started service to Australia in 1979 and today operates more flights to more destinations in Australia than any other U.S. carrier, with daily flights from its San Francisco and Los Angeles hubs to Sydney and Melbourne and twice-weekly service to Cairns from Guam.
Boeing 787 Dreamliner
The 787 Dreamliner is revolutionizing the flying experience for United customers and crews while delivering unprecedented operating efficiency, comfort and lower emissions.
The 787-9’s extended range โ 8,550 miles compared to the 787-8’s 8,200 โ enables United to launch the Los Angeles-to-Melbourne service, which will be the longest Dreamliner route in the world to date.
The Boeing 787-9 aircraft operating the new Melbourne route will feature a total of 252 seats โ 48 in United BusinessFirst and 204 in United Economy, including 88 Economy Plus seats with added legroom and increased personal space.
San Francisco โ Tokyo/Haneda Airport
New daily flights between San Francisco and Tokyo’s close-in Haneda Airport complement United’s existing service between the hub and Tokyo’s Narita International Airport. Flights from San Francisco to both Tokyo airports maximize choice and convenience for customers traveling from across the Americas to Tokyo, and to points beyond on United’s joint-venture partner ANA.
The flight schedules enable customers to use convenient public transportation between Haneda Airport and central Tokyo and Yokohama.
United also operates daily service to Tokyo/Narita from its hubs in Chicago (O’Hare), Denver, Guam, Houston, Los Angeles, Newark and Washington (Dulles), as well as from Honolulu.
United is the largest carrier at San Francisco International Airport, offering nearly 300 daily flights to more than 90 destinations in the U.S. and around the world, more service than any other airline from the Bay Area. United’s San Francisco hub also offers more nonstop trans-Pacific service than any airline hub in America. The company currently operates nearly 30 daily nonstop flights from San Francisco to more than 20 international destinations.
Guam to Seoul, South Korea and Shanghai
In addition, United will launch two new routes from its Guam hub at A.P. Won Pat International Airport: daily service to Seoul’s Incheon International Airport beginning on October 27, 2014, and twice-weekly service to Shanghai’s Pudong International Airport, the first nonstop service from Guam to mainland China, beginning on October 28, 2014.
United has served Guam for more than 40 years, with United and United Express currently providing nonstop service from the hub to more than 17 destinations in the Asia/Pacific region.
Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing/AirlinersGallery.com. The first United Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, N38950 (msn 36401) departs from Los Angeles International Airport.
United Airlines Aircraft Slide Show (current livery):ย
United’s International Route Map:
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