Air India, India’s national carrier has taken the delivery of its first Boeing 787 Dreamliner on Thursday. The carrier is the fifth in the world to take delivery of the most technically advanced and fuel efficient plane.
International flyers booking flights with Air India will finally be able to experience the charm of 787 Dreamliner as India’s flag carrier has taken the delivery of its first Dreamliner at Boeing Co’s final assembly plant on Thursday.
“Today is a great day for Air India as the most technologically advanced and fuel-efficient airplane in the world joins our fleet,” said Rohit Nandan, AI’s Chairman & Managing Director.
AI is the fifth in the world to take delivery of a 787 Dreamliner. In total, the state-run carrier has ordered 27 aircraft.
The plane is made mainly of lightweight carbon fibre materials and is lighter than standard jets. The mid-size airplane is capable of operating long-haul flights and thus allows carriers to open new flight routes.
AI’s Dreamliner features 18 business class seats and 238 economy class seats for those booking flights tickets. The jet is scheduled to fly to New Delhi on Friday.
“I am sure Air India and their customers will be thrilled to experience the revolutionary features on the 787, an airplane that will be the key focus of the airline’s turnaround plan,” Dinesh Keskar, Senior Vice President of Asia Pacific and India Sales for Boeing Commercial Airplane, said in a statement that was published in Times of India, country’s leading English daily.
AI is likely to ply the jet for operating direct flights between the country and Australia, indicate media reports. Reports also suggest that the first B787 will be put into service on flights to London, catering to the heavy traffic of passengers that is generally seen on the flight route.
