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October 16th, 2014

Virgin Atlantic takes delivery of its first Dreamliner

 

By Jamie White – Head of Communications

 

Virgin Atlantic has taken delivery of its first ever Boeing 787 Dreamliner.

 

The new aircraft – an extended version of the Dreamliner – touched down at London’s Gatwick Airport, following a delivery flight from Boeing’s factory in Seattle.

Virgin Atlantic takes delivery of its first Dreamliner - Douglas Stafford Mystery Shopping

 

Named ‘Birthday Girl’ in reference to Virgin Atlantic’s 30th anniversary, it is the first of 16 B787-9s ordered by the airline which will gradually replace its older Airbus A340 fleet.

 

The carrier is the first in Europe to take delivery of the 787-9 and plans to operate the aircraft initially on its Heathrow-Boston route.

 

With the fuselage stretched by 20ft over the 787-8, the 787-9 will fly up to 40 more passengers an additional 450 nautical miles with 20 per cent less fuel consumption and 20 per cent fewer emissions than the aircraft they replace.

 

Virgin Atlantic will configure its Dreamliners with 264 seats in three classes – 31 in business class, 35 in premium economy and 198 in economy. The aircraft also comes equipped with all standard Dreamliner design features, including large windows, LED lighting, large overhead storage bins and higher cabin humidity.

Virgin Atlantic takes delivery of its first Dreamliner - Douglas Stafford Mystery Shopping

 

Boeing’s Vice President of European Sales, Todd Nelp, said: “The first 787-9 in Europe will be a flagship for Virgin Atlantic’s fleet, providing greatly improved efficiencies across its routes.

 

“The airplane, with its unique on board features, will provide an unrivalled passenger experience, cementing Virgin Atlantic’s reputation as a true innovator in air travel.”

 

 

Mystery shopping and performance improvement company, Douglas Stafford, provides a range of bespoke Telephone Mystery ShoppingEmail Mystery ShoppingReport-Based Mystery Shopping and Video Mystery Shopping programmes to clients in a variety of industries, including leisure and travel.