British Airways has officially incorporated its inaugural Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, marking a significant milestone for the airline’s modern long-haul fleet. Touching down at London Heathrow, this state-of-the-art aircraft is the first of 22 787-9s scheduled for delivery from Boeing, heralding a new era of comfort and efficiency.
The Boeing 787-9 stands as the airline’s most cutting-edge aircraft, extending 20 feet beyond the 787-8, and uniquely offers a First Class suite
—a first for any European carrier operating the Dreamliner. Passengers can also choose from World Traveller (economy), World Traveller Plus (premium economy), and Club World (business class) cabins, reflecting British Airways’ commitment to a diverse, premium onboard experience.
The exclusive First Class cabin features just eight seats, providing a more personal and serene environment compared to the 14-seat configurations found on other British Airways long-haul aircraft.
Explore BA’s reimagined First Class
Following a comprehensive entry-into-service program, including extensive ground testing and crew training, the 787-9 was launched on the London–Delhi route, with subsequent service to Abu Dhabi, Muscat, Kuala Lumpur, and Austin. Today, the aircraft is deployed on a range of flagship routes, leveraging its advanced technology and fuel efficiency.
B787-9 Dreamliner
Mitch Preston,
British Airways’ Flight Technical Manager for the 787 fleet and the pilot at the helm for the delivery flight, shared: “Flying the delivery route is a unique honor, and I’ve had the privilege of doing so for both our first 787-8 and now the 787-9. The atmosphere with just the delivery crew is truly special, but I am especially excited for our customers to experience the comfort and innovation of the Dreamliner.”
To commemorate the arrival, British Airways produced a captivating time-lapse video documenting the aircraft’s assembly in Seattle:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=SJZk9vNS8NE
