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Boeing 787 Dreamliner flies first UK passengers to Menorca Boeing 787 Dreamliner flies first UK passengers to Menorca
(3 months later)
The first UK passengers have finally taken a flight on Boeing's new, trouble-hit 787 Dreamliner. Thomson Airways, the first British carrier to operate the ultra-green £150m plane, took the first 290 fare-paying passengers from Gatwick to Menorca on Friday.The first UK passengers have finally taken a flight on Boeing's new, trouble-hit 787 Dreamliner. Thomson Airways, the first British carrier to operate the ultra-green £150m plane, took the first 290 fare-paying passengers from Gatwick to Menorca on Friday.
The inaugural flight came as a surprise to the passengers – Thomson had kept it a secret and used it for staff training.The inaugural flight came as a surprise to the passengers – Thomson had kept it a secret and used it for staff training.
The carrier is taking delivery of eight Dreamliners and will launch services in earnest on 8 July, flying to Orlando in the US and Cancún in Mexico from Gatwick, Manchester, East Midlands and Glasgow.The carrier is taking delivery of eight Dreamliners and will launch services in earnest on 8 July, flying to Orlando in the US and Cancún in Mexico from Gatwick, Manchester, East Midlands and Glasgow.
The plane, which has a larger than average cabin and bigger windows, operates with a cabin pressurised to a lower than normal altitude to make journeys more comfortable and less tiring for passengers and crew. It uses 20% less fuel than rival planes, generates 60% less noise and can fly for 15 hours with a full payload.The plane, which has a larger than average cabin and bigger windows, operates with a cabin pressurised to a lower than normal altitude to make journeys more comfortable and less tiring for passengers and crew. It uses 20% less fuel than rival planes, generates 60% less noise and can fly for 15 hours with a full payload.
However, the plane, for which there are hundreds of orders as a result of its efficiency, has been plagued by delays. Thomson placed its order in 2005 and expected to take delivery in 2009. The plane eventually entered service in 2011.However, the plane, for which there are hundreds of orders as a result of its efficiency, has been plagued by delays. Thomson placed its order in 2005 and expected to take delivery in 2009. The plane eventually entered service in 2011.
Thomson had hoped to take delivery of the first of its 787s in time to start Dreamliner operations in May. But a new series of battery problems led to the grounding of the plane in January. Thomson had to scrap plans to use the Dreamliner in May and June, and only received its first plane this month.Thomson had hoped to take delivery of the first of its 787s in time to start Dreamliner operations in May. But a new series of battery problems led to the grounding of the plane in January. Thomson had to scrap plans to use the Dreamliner in May and June, and only received its first plane this month.
The battery problems followed endless production difficulties for the Dreamliner. It should have entered passenger service in 2008 but it was not until October 2011 that the first commercial flight was operated by Japanese carrier All Nippon Airways.The battery problems followed endless production difficulties for the Dreamliner. It should have entered passenger service in 2008 but it was not until October 2011 that the first commercial flight was operated by Japanese carrier All Nippon Airways.
Next week, British Airways is taking delivery of the first two of its 24 Dreamliners, while Virgin Atlantic is due to get the first of its 16 Dreamliners in September next year.Next week, British Airways is taking delivery of the first two of its 24 Dreamliners, while Virgin Atlantic is due to get the first of its 16 Dreamliners in September next year.
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