Virgin Atlantic has become the first European airline to take delivery of a B787-9 Dreamliner.
The British airline received the aircraft at London Gatwick on Friday, following a transatlantic flight from Boeing's headquarters in Everett, Washington.
Its inaugural route will be between London Heathrow and Boston and is scheduled to launch on October 28 (see news, June 22).
The B787-9 has been named "Birthday Girl" in reference to Virgin Atlantic's 30th anniversary. It is the first of 16 787-9s Virgin has on order.
The airline plans to roster its B787-9 first to Boston, and then to Washington DC, New York Newark and New York JFK, followed by Delhi (see news, September 25).
It will configure its Dreamliners with 264 seats in a three-class configuration with 31 seats in business class, 35 in premium economy and 198 in economy.
Graham Smith
