BA reveals 787-9 route plans

British Airways is set to take delivery of its first Boeing 787-9 aircraft in 2015 with the UAE, Oman and Delhi routes among the first to welcome the Dreamliner.  

The airline has confirmed the aircraft will start flying to Delhi from 25 October, with UAE and Oman to follow later in 2015.

The 787-9, the first of which is due to arrive with British Airways in September, is 20ft longer that its 787-8 predecessor (of which the airline has eight), so as well as offering World Traveller (economy), World Traveller Plus (premium economy) and Club World (business class), there’s also room for a new First class cabin – a first for the airline’s 787 fleet.

“British Airways continues to renew its commitment across the region as the airline invests in new aircraft and expands its premium travel offerings,” said Paolo De Renzis, British Airways Area commercial manager for the Middle East & Central Asia. “In response to our passengers’ demand for luxury travel options, we have selected Abu Dhabi and Muscat among the first routes to welcome the new Dreamliners.”

BA says the FIRST suites reflect a new generation in premium travel; the First cabin will have just eight seats in comparison to the 14 available on other British Airways long-haul aircraft, giving even more exclusivity and privacy to customers.

Created specifically for the Boeing 787-9, the new First suites have been designed based on feedback from First customers.

The suites include four new storage areas. A new ottoman next to the adjustable footstool has enough room for shoes, handbags and personal items, while the personal suiter for jackets and coats is now accessible without the customer having to move from their seat.

BA says a new locker positioned at eye-level is ideal for smaller personal effects such as tablets, spectacles, passport and wash-bags. A mirror has also been fitted to the inside of the locker door for personal grooming.

Customers who need to charge any devices can do so in a discreet stowage area next to their armrest.

The seat and in-flight entertainment console has been updated with a new handset, much like a smartphone, integrated into the seat from which travellers can control their in-flight entertainment. During flight, the handset can be docked so that customers are also able to watch one item, such as the moving map, on the handset and another, such as a film, on the 23inch fixed screen. This also means travellers will be able to enjoy gate-to-gate entertainment, without having to stow their television for take-off and landing.

The smart ‘jog-dial’ now manages six different functions of the seat, including the recline, headrest and lumbar inflate and a ‘global’ lighting control to manage both ambient and reading lighting.

The new First cabin on the Boeing 787-9 was developed by Forpeople, London, working together with the airlines’ in-house teams and British suppliers, including PROTOTRIM, which developed the high quality soft leather and fabric trim within the suite and London-based Pritchard Themis who worked on the suite and cabin lighting.