Qatar Airways (Doha) has announced an expansion of its Boeing 787 services to Europe with the new state-of-the-art aircraft being deployed on three Scandinavian routes.
The Doha-based carrier will launch 787 flights to the Swedish capital Stockholm on August 1, followed a month later to both Copenhagen and Oslo โ capital cities of Denmark and Norway, respectively, effective September 1.
Qatar Airways operates daily flights to each of the three Scandinavian capitals from its hub, capital of the State of Qatar, with a total weekly capacity of 21 services.
Qatar Airways Boeing 787 Business Class Interiors (Qatar Airways).
Qatar Airways has 254 custom-made seats across its 787 Business and Economy Class cabins with specially designed interiors. Business Class is configured 1โ2โ1 with 22 seats, while Economy has a 232 seating capacity in a 3โ3โ3 layout. All seats in Business Class are fully reclinable.
The airlineโs 787s are the worldโs first fully connected Dreamliners with wireless facilities for passengers to remain in touch with friends and colleagues on the ground through the internet and SMS mobile texting across both Business and Economy cabins.
Made up of composite materials, the 787 Dreamliner is lighter and more fuel-efficient than any comparable aircraft of its size and range. Unique features include larger windows, reduced cabin noise and cleaner cabin air.
Qatar Airways currently operates five Boeing 787s, flying on the London Heathrow, Frankfurt, Munich, Zurich and Dubai routes from Doha. The airline took delivery of its sixth Dreamliner at the Paris Air Show, where the aircraft was open for VIP, trade and media tours. Qatar Airways currently has a further 54 Dreamliners on order.
Qatar Airways has seen rapid growth in just 16 years of operations, currently flying a modern fleet of 125 aircraft to 128 key business and leisure destinations across Europe, Middle East, Africa, Asia Pacific and The Americas.
The airline has so far launched six destinations this year โ Gassim (Saudi Arabia), Salalah (Oman), Najaf and Basra (Iraq), Phnom Penh (Cambodia) and Chicago (USA). Over the next few months, the network will grow further with new destinations introduced to Sulaymaniyah, Iraq (August 20), Chengdu, China (September 3), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (September 18), Clark International Airport, Philippines (October 27) and Philadelphia (April 2, 2014).
In other news, Qatar Airways intends to introduce its first Airbus A380 on the Doha-London (Heathrow) route followed by Doha-Paris (CDG) in early 2014.
Qatar Airways currently has 13 Airbus A380s on order with plans to operate them on popular routes, especially in slot-constrained airports. The first A380 will arrive in early 2014.
Top Copyright Photo: Antony J. Best/AirlinersGallery.com.ย Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner A7-BCL (msn 38330) prepares to touch down at London (Heathrow).
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Bottom Copyright Image: Airbus. The painted tail has been attached to the first Qatar A380 at Toulouse. The first three A380s will be msn 137, 143 and 146.
British Airways (London) and Boeing (Chicago) today announced the delivery of theย UKย carrier’s first Boeing 787 Dreamliner.
The British Airways 787 departed Paine Field in Everett, Washington, on Wednesday, June 26, arriving at London’sย Heathrow Airport today atย 12:10 pmย local time. The airplane was welcomed to its Heathrow home byย Willie Walsh, chief executive officer ofInternational Airlines Groupย (IAG), the company that owns British Airways.
British Airways has announced that the airline will operate the 787 from Heathrow to Toronto (Pearson) from September 1 and Heathrow to Newark from October 1.
“The delivery of the first of BA’s 787s is an exciting milestone for Boeing and British Airways,” said Todd Nelp, vice president of European Sales,ย Boeing Commercial Airplanes.ย “The 787 is the most technologically advanced and fuel-efficient commercial jetliner in its class. Its improved lighting, bigger windows, larger overhead bins, lower cabin altitude and cleaner cabin air will offer BA’s passengers an unparalleled flying experience.”
The 787 Dreamliner is composed of lightweight composites and features numerous systems, engine and aerodynamic advancements, with unmatched fuel efficiency using 20 percent less fuel than today’s similarly sized airplanes. ย It is the first mid-sized airplane capable of flying long-range routes, providing airlines with unprecedented fuel economy and low operating costs and enabling airlines to open new, non-stop routes preferred by passengers. On a 787 with Rolls-Royce engines, UK companies make about 25 percent of the 787 by value.
The British Airways 787 Dreamliner carries 214 passengers and is configured with 35 seats in Club World, 25 in World Traveller Plus and 154 seats in the World Traveller cabin.
British Airways operates more than 140 Boeing airplanes within its fleet including 52 777s, as well as the world’s largest fleet of 747s with 52.
This is the first of 24 787s British Airways has on order. In addition, IAG recently announced that it will convert 18 787 options to firm orders for British Airways, subject to shareholder agreement. Twelve of these will be 787-10s, meaning British Airways will operate the entire 787 family โ the 787-8, 787-9 and 787-10.
British Airways issued this statement:
To celebrate, the airline is launching special fares from both cities toย London Heathrow. For travel from Toronto and New York (JFK orย Newark), the fares begin at $787 roundtrip inย World Travellerย (economy). World Traveller Plus, the airline’sย premium economy, fares begin from $1290 roundtrip and, continuing the celebrations,ย Club World business class faresย start from $2787 roundtrip. All fares include taxes, fees and carrier charges.
The new 787 routes were announced in association with brand ambassador and star of stage and screen,ย Kim Cattrall (above). Kim, who born in England and raised in Canada said: “I fly regularly between the UK, Canada and the USA with British Airways and I love their service. I need to be ready to work when I land, so to know that I can fly on their 787s and arrive feeling really rested and refreshed is a definite bonus for me.”
New British Airways Boeing 787 Dreamliners: Benefits for Customers
Low levels of cabin noise resulting in increased rest for customers.
A higher humidity level in the cabins reduces the ‘drying effect’ so customers arrive feeling refreshed. This is the result of a difference in pressurization where cabin altitude is the equivalent of 6,000ft; 2,000ft lower than on other aircraft.
The aircraft’s smooth ride technology provides extra comfort during any turbulence.
The bespoke lighting in every cabin can be set to reflect the time of day, helping to lull travellers to sleep at night and to wake them in the morning.
Customers can also enjoy much larger windows, offering views of the horizon from every seat.
Willie Walsh, chief executive of IAG, said: “The 787 is a tremendous, innovative aircraft which sets new standards for environmental performance and operating efficiency and I’m sure British Airways customers will love it.
“The 787 will become a mainstay of the British Airways fleet over the next few years. This is the first of 24 that will arrive by 2017, and we have announced plans to convert further options for the aircraft into firm orders for delivery from 2017, including for the new larger 787-10 version.”
Mitch Prestonย is British Airways’ first 787 pilot to fly the aircraft fromย Boeing’s Seattle home toLondon. Preston said: “It was a real pleasure to fly the 787 home to Heathrow today — it’s a joy to operate, and a really smooth ride.
“It’s exceptionally quiet and the cabin environment, combined with the service customers would expect from British Airways, will make for a great experience. I for one can’t wait to welcome our customers on board.”
British Airways has ordered 24 787s, which will arrive over the next four years. Theย airlineย has also ordered 12 A380s and six additional Boeing 777-300 ERs. Over the next 12 months, it will take delivery of a new aircraft at the rate of one a fortnight.
ย The aircraft orders form the centrepiece of British Airways’ [Pounds]5bn investment in improved customer experience in the air and on the ground. Theย airlineย is the first in Europe to operate both the 787 and the A380.
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Top Copyright Photo: Nick Dean/AirlinersGallery.com. The pictured 787-8 G-ZBJB (msn 38610) was officially handed over to the carrier on June 25, 2013.
Bottom Copyright Photo: James Mepsted. The first arrival of G-ZBJB this morning at London (Heathrow).
United Airlines‘ (Chicago) Boeing 787-8 flying from Houston (Bush Intercontinental) to Denver yesterday (June 23) as flight UA 94 was forced to divert and land at another airport because of a break warning light. This became the third 787 diversion in the past week according to ABC 7 News in Denver.
Thomson Airways (London-Luton and Manchester) yesterday (June 21) placed its first new Boeing 787-8 into revenue service between London (Gatwick) and Mahon Airport on Menorca.
Flights operated on June 21:London Gatwick to Mahon (Menorca) TOM4536 Mahon (Menorca to London Gatwick TOM4537 London Gatwick to Mahon (Menorca) TOM4554 Mahon (Menorca) to London Gatwick TOM4555
Flights operated on June 22:
London Gatwick to Palma (Majorca) TOM4600 Palma (Majorca) to London Gatwick TOM4601 London Gatwick to Rhodes TOM4660 Rhodes to London Gatwick TOM4661
Flights currently planned to operate on June 23:
London Gatwick to Heraklion (Crete) TOM4706 Heraklion (Crete) to London Gatwick TOM4707 London Gatwick to Enfidha (Tunisia) TOM 612 Enfidha (Tunisia) to London Gatwick TOM 613
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Until the new type goes into trans-Atlantic service on July 8, Thomson will operate their 787s on its routes to its more popular Mediterranean destinations, including the Balearic andย Greek Islands, replacing Boeing 737-800 andย 757-200 equipment.
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Copyright Photo: Javier Rodriguez/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 787-8 G-TUIA (msn 34422) “Living the Dream” is pictured on its final approach for runway 24L at Palma de Mallorca today.
Ethiopian Airlines (Addis Ababa) has announced that it will become the first African carrier to operate scheduled flights to Seoul (Incheon), the Republic of South Korea effective on June 18, 2013 using the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner.
Ethiopian will fly four weekly services to Incheon International Airport in Seoul and its inaugural flight will coincide with the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Ethiopia and South Korea.
Various ministers, ambassadors, high level officials, members of the business community and an Ethiopian cultural troupe will be on-board the inaugural flight. Joint high profile events such as government, business, trade, tourism, cultural and academic forums highlighting the great potential of the relations between the two countries are scheduled to take place in Seoul from June 19-21, 2013.
Seoul will be Ethiopian 73rdย international destination. The inclusion of Seoul into Ethiopian network is part of Ethiopian Vision 2025 of connecting Africa with the major world economic and financial hubs.
Additionally the flag carrier is also using the Boeing 787 to open a new route toย Sรฃo Paulo and Rio de Janeiro in Brazil starting on July 1. The new route will operate three days a week viaย Lomรฉ-Tokoin Airport in Togo.
Copyright Photo: TMK Photography/AirlinersGallery.com.ย Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner ET-AOR (msn 34746) departs from Toronto (Pearson).
Qatar Airways (Doha) is planning to operate its new Boeing 787-8s to six European cities for the October 27, 2013 winter schedule according to Airline Route. The Doha 787 European routes for the winter season include Copenhagen, London (Heathrow), Munich, Oslo, Stockholm (Arlanda) and Zurich.
Copyright Photo: Andi Hiltl/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 787-8 A7-BCL (msn 38330) climbs away from the runway at Zurich.
United Airlines (Chicago) yesterday (June 10) re-launched international service on the 787 Dreamliner with the inaugural flight from theย airline’s hub inย Denverย toย Tokyo-Narita International Airport. The daily flight marks the Mile High City’s first nonstop connection toย Asia, a highly anticipated milestone in Denver’s history.
Flight UA 139 departs Denver daily at 12:35 p.m. (1235) and arrives atย Tokyo-Narita International Airportย at 3:30 p.m. (1530) the next day. For the return, Flight UA 138 departs Tokyo at 5:25 p.m. (1725) and arrives in Denver at 1:15 p.m. (1315) the same day. (All times are local.)
Together with its joint venture partner ANA,ย Unitedย will offer seamless connections at Narita to or from more than 18 destinations in Asia, including important business and trade destinations like Seoul, South Korea, Bangkok and Singapore.
United is the 787 North American launch customer and now has six Dreamliners in its fleet. Theairlineย has 55 Dreamliners on order and expects to take delivery of two more from Boeing in the second half of 2013.
In addition to theย Tokyoย route, United in the past year added nine new Denver routes, including flights to emerging energy markets like Fort McMurray, Alberta, Canada, and Dickinson, N.D. Other new destinations United serves from Denver include Santa Fe, N.M., and St. George, Utah. United also recently increased the frequency of service from Denver to Mexico.
United offers more flights to more destinations worldwide from Denver than any other airline, with more than 400 peak day departures to 126 destinations throughout the year. United flies to over 60 more cities than the next largest carrier atย Denver International Airport.
United is one of Denver’s largest private employers, with nearly 5,000 employees who proudly call Denver home. United celebrated the airline’s 75thย anniversary of service to Denver last year with the announcement it would begin service to Tokyo.
Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing/AirlinersGallery.com. United 787s are configured with 36 seats in United BusinessFirst, 70 seats inย United Economy Plusย and 113 seats in United Economy.ย Boeing 787-8 N26906 (msn 34829) climbs gracefully away from the runway at Los Angeles International Airport.
British Airways‘ (London) first Boeing 787-8ย G-ZBJB (msn 38610), made it’s first flight yesterday afternoon (June 8) at Paine Field near Everett.
Two hundred and fourteen customers will enjoy the comforts of the new British Airways 787-8 Dreamliner when delivered.
The 24 new British Airways 787-8s will feature the elegant cabin designs fitted on British Airwaysโ new Boeing 777-300 ER aircraft.
All eight 787-8s will feature a new Club World 2:3:2 layout, the latest generation World Traveller and World Traveller Plus seats. ย The exact seating plans of another 16 787-9s on order have yet to be finalized, they could have three or four-cabin configurations.
British Airways will take delivery of its first 787-8 and Airbus A380 this summer.
The British Airways 787-8 will have 35 seats for customers in the new Club World triple configuration of 2:3:2; 25 seats in a World Traveller Plus layout of 2:3:2; and a further 154 seats for those travelling in World Traveller, with a 3:3:3 configuration.
Both new aircraft will also feature the airlineโs latest Thales inflight entertainment system, which offers customers 50 percent more movies, 200 percent more TV shows and 200 percent more audio programs and music.
Customers will also benefit from new larger screens in all cabins and an easier to use system with shortcut buttons. They will also be able to connect personal devices, such as laptops and use the in-seat power available for the first time in all cabins.
In 2013, British Airways will take delivery of nine new long haul aircraft. The first British Airways 787 will be delivered shortly. A further three will arrive by the end of the year. The first A380 will be delivered in July, with additional deliveries in August and October. Two additional 777-300 ERs will arrive in September and October 2013.
British Airways has issued this statement:
British Airways is poised to become the first airline in Europe to introduce both the Airbus A380 and the Boeing 787 into its fleet.
The airline will take delivery into the UK of its first two 787s on consecutive days, June 26 and 27, Followed by its first A380 on July 4. The new aircraft will arrive around mid-morning.
Following their arrival, both aircraft types will begin a complex “entry into service” programs at Manston Airport in Kent, customer service trials at Heathrow and short-haul flying for both aircraft, including flights within the UK.
Seats on the A380 are currently on sale for travel from October 15 to Los Angeles and from November 15 to Hong Kong.
Top Copyright Photo: Royal S. King/AirlinersGallery.com. We have two views of this historic event. Boeing 787-8 G-ZBJB (msn 38610) passes the camera at PAE after its successful first flight on June 8, 2013.
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Bottom Copyright Photo: Nick Dean/AirlinersGallery.com. G-ZBJB arrives back at Paine Field as “Boeing 451”.
Video: A brief interview with Willie Walsh on the new 787:
LOT Polish Airlines (Warsaw) inaugurated its new Boeing 787-8 with nonstop service from New York’s JFK to Warsaw yesterday (June 1). LOT also made aviation history as the first Dreamliner flight from New York’s JFK Airport as well as the first trans-Atlantic passenger flight.
The flight from Warsaw arrives at JFK at 4:40 p.m. (1640). ย The return flight from JFK departs at 6:25 p.m. (1825) and arrives the next day in Warsaw at 9:35 a.m. (0935). The flights were previously operated with Boeing 767s.
Originally LOT had scheduled the JFK launch of the Dreamliner on June 30, but decided to speed up the actual implementation.ย The next Dreamliner launch will occur in Chicago (O’Hare) on June 5, followed by Toronto (Pearson) on June 7. ย LOT, the first European carrier to operate the Dreamliner, has three out of the eight ordered in its fleet and is expecting delivery of the fourth aircraft at the end of June.
LOT’s Dreamliner has 18 seats in Elite Club (business class), 21 in Premium Club (premium economy) plus 213 seats in economy class.
In preparation for the Dreamliner flights, LOT implemented a new design inspired by traditional and famous symbols of Poland. These changes are reflected in the new aircraft interiors, inflight menus with its new selection of beverages, on-board equipment, toys for children and other amenities. The quality of service offered is an additional asset with specially trained Elite Fleet cabin crews, new comfortable classes of service — Elite Club and Premium Club — as well as the unique product on board the aircraft.
Copyright Photo: Marcelo F. De Biasi/AirlinersGallery.com. The historic first arrival at JFK is recorded.ย Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner SP-LRC (msn 35940) prepares to touch down at JFK.
Thomson Airways (London-Luton and Manchester) andย Boeingย announced the delivery of the airline’s first Boeing 787 Dreamliner. The airplane, the first of eight 787s Thomson Airways has on order, is the first to be delivered to a UK airline. 787-8 G-TUIA was handed over on May 30 followed by G-TUIB yesterday (May 31).
Thousands gathered to watch Thomson’s 787 Dreamliner arrive at Manchester Airport, completing its delivery flight from Paine Field in Everett, Wash. Senior Thomson and Boeing executives, including Thomson Managing Director Chris Browne and Boeing Commercial Airplanes Vice President of Marketing Randy Tinseth, were onboard the delivery flight.
“After much anticipation, we are very excited to welcome the 787 Dreamliner to our fleet and as the first airline in the UK, hope our customers will enjoy the unique experience of this revolutionary aircraft,” said Browne. “The extended flying range of the Dreamliner also unlocks a host of new and exciting holiday options for our customers, increasing the range of long-haul destinations available with Thomson Airways from four UK airports. Customers will be amazed at the unique look, feel and service โ all of which will ensure the unique Thomson holiday experience starts as soon as they step on board this fabulous new aircraft.”
The aircraft was welcomed on arrival at Manchester by Todd Nelp, vice president of European sales, Boeing Commercial Airplanes and Ken O’Toole, Chief Commercial Officer for MAG, owner of Manchester Airport.
On July 8, Thomson’s first long-haul Dreamliner flights will operate from Manchester to Florida (Sanford) and Glasgow to Cancun. Thomson will also operate services from London Gatwick and East Midlands airports. Later this year, the airline will introduce direct flights to Phuket, Thailand from the UK.
The Thomson 787 Dreamliner will carry 291 passengers and is configured with 47 seats in the airline’s Premium Club cabin and 244 seats in the Economy Club cabin.
Thomson Airways is part of the TUI Travel PLC and is the UK’s third largest airline operating 58 aircraft.
Copyright Photo: Nick Dean/AirlinersGallery.com.ย Boeing 787-8 G-TUIB (msn 34423) departs from Paine Field near Everett (please click on the photo for the full-size view).
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Short Haul and Long Haul Routes from Manchester:
Video: The first 787 arrives at MAN:
Video: Thomson is the first operator of the 787 in the UK.
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