LOT Polish Airlines has taken delivery of its first Boeing 787 Dreamliner. The delivery makes Warsaw-based LOT the first European airline to receive the Dreamliner.
LOT and Boeing executives, as well as Polish and US government officials, celebrated the delivery at an event in Washington state.
“This is a historic moment for LOT,” said Marcin Pirog, the airline’s CEO. “I am convinced that the addition of the Dreamliner to the fleet of one of the world’s oldest airlines is a crucial moment that will launch a new era of European aviation. I believe it is also the beginning of an exciting journey for LOT with the most modern passenger airplane in the world.”
LOT will initially operate the B787 on short-haul flights across Europe, before commencing long-haul services to Chicago in January 2013. Other Dreamliner destinations planned by LOT include New York, Toronto and Beijing.
“Today’s 787 delivery represents a very significant milestone in the partnership between Boeing and LOT Polish Airlines,” said Ray Conner, president & CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “As LOT becomes the first European airline to operate the 787, this delivery marks the next chapter in history for both LOT and the European aviation industry.”
This delivery is the first of eight Dreamliners that LOT has on order. The airline has configured the wide-body aircraft with 252 seats in three classes – 18 in business class, 21 in premium economy and 213 in economy.
LOT becomes Boeing’s second new Dreamliner customer this week, following the delivery of Qatar Airways’ first B787 on Tuesday.
LOT’s first Dreamliner will land in Warsaw today (Thursday 15 November), where it will be met by a reception led by Poland’s Prime Minister Donald Tusk.
