British Airways Poised to Reveal Initial Dreamliner Routes

British Airways (BA) has confirmed that like its fellow UK carrier, Thomson Airways, it will take delivery of its first two Boeing 787 Dreamliners on consecutive days and is currently finalising the initial in-service plans for the modern generation aircraft. The airline confirms that its first aircraft is due to arrive at its London Heathrow base around mid-morning on June 26, 2013 with the second aircraft following just 24 hours later on June 27, 2013. BA has also confirmed its first Airbus A380, which will be displayed next week at the Paris Air Show in France, will be delivered on July 4, 2013.

“The delivery of these exciting aircraft opens a new chapter in British Airways’ history. We are proud to be leading the way in Europe in operating both these aircraft types,” said Keith Williams, Chief Executive officer, British Airways. “Both aircraft types make major environmental advances and will contribute toward our ambitious targets for noise and carbon reduction.”

These deliveries form the centrepiece of the £5 billion investment by British Airways in new aircraft, smarter cabins, superb lounges and new technologies to make travel more comfortable for its passengers in the air and on the ground. “Over the next 12 months, we will take delivery of new long-haul aircraft at an average rate of one every two weeks,” added Williams.

BA will be the first European operator to introduce both the Airbus A380 and the Boeing 787 into its fleet and the second in the world, behind China Southern Airlines. After their arrival both aircraft types will begin what BA describes as a “complex entry into service programme”, which as first revealed on our Twitter account last month, will see pilot and cabin crew training taking place at Manston Airport in Kent. BA confirms that additional customer service trials will take place at London Heathrow, while short-haul flying for both aircraft will include flights within the UK.

The carrier has already revealed that the A380 will enter scheduled passenger service on its route from London Heathrow to Los Angeles from October 15, 2013 and between London Heathrow and Hong Kong from November 15, 2013 but it and the 787 will enter passenger service on other routes ahead of then. BA has not yet confirmed the proposed dates or the initial commercial destinations the aircraft will serve but an announcement is expected very shortly.

The 787 will bring new opportunities for BA and will seat 214 passengers (35 in Club World Business Class, 25 in World Traveller Plus Premium Economy and 154 in World Traveller Economy). In terms of capacity it can act as a direct replacement for its ageing 767-300ER fleet, seating around 20 additional passengers in this three-class configuration. However, its efficiency and operational performance means it is also well placed to open new long-haul markets and to replace larger 777-200ER equipment and right-sizing demand in some particular markets.

Although the aircraft will likely make its debut on European routes, destinations such as Newark Liberty International and Washington Dulles in the US and Calgary International, Montreal Pierre Elliott Trudeau International and Toronto Lester B Pearson International are thought possible long-haul markets for the jet. The 787 is also well-placed to serve new emerging markets in Asia and could be used effectively on existing routes to India and to expand BA’s activities across Asia.

In the table below we highlight the destinations that BA currently serves with its 767-300ER according to its 2013 flight schedule and all possible future destinations for the 787.