Lufthansa has confirmed that its first B787-9 Dreamliner aircraft will start long-haul flights between Frankfurt and New York’s Newark from December.
The carrier had originally intended to launch the aircraft on its Frankfurt-Toronto route, but German publication aerotelegraph.com recently reported that this had been changed to Frankfurt-Newark.
In a press release Lufthansa confirmed that the B787-9 – which has been named ‘Berlin’ – will enter long-haul service between Frankfurt and Newark from December 1.
The aircraft is currently operating three-times-daily domestic flights between Frankfurt and Munich to allow for crew training.
As previously reported, Lufthansa’s five initial B787s will be fitted with cabins originally intended for Hainan Airlines, with 26 business class seats in a 1-2-1 configuration, as well as 21 seats in premium economy (configured 2-3-2) and 247 in economy (3-3-3).
Subsequent Dreamliner deliveries will be fitted with Lufthansa’s recently unveiled Allegris cabins, which will feature a business class offering seven different seating options, including suites with closing doors in the front row.
Speaking at the christening of the ‘Berlin’ B787-9, Carsten Spohr, chairman of the executive board and CEO of Deutsche Lufthansa AG, said:
“The first Dreamliner in our long-haul fleet is called ‘Berlin’, because the company has a long and special relationship with the capital. Lufthansa has been a strong partner of the German capital since it was founded in Berlin in 1926.
“Since we were allowed to fly to Berlin again in 1990, no other airline has brought more travellers to the region. With the new Boeing 787 ‘Berlin’ we proudly carry the name of the German capital around the world.”
