British Airways’ first Boeing 787-10 has now finally been delivered, six months after its initial expected delivery.
The latest Dreamliner touched down at London Heathrow at 11:49 local time on Sunday, after crossing the Atlantic for the first time.
The plane was due to be delivered to the carrier in January, with the British Airways aircraft expected to be in service by February, however the delivery faced ongoing delays prior to its eventual delivery on Sunday morning.
The aircraft, which departed from Boeing’s Charleston factory on Saturday at 11:37pm local time, is the first of 12 total 787-10s on order for British Airways, due to join its existing fleet of Dreamliners, including 12 787-8s and 18 787-9s.
While it is still unclear when BA’s newest Dreamliner will take to the skies with its first passengers, the aircraft was officially registered in the UK on Friday, 26 June, according to records from the Civil Aviation Authority.
Commenting on the development, Alex Cruz, British Airways CEO and chairman, said, “The delivery of our first 787-10 aircraft marks another significant milestone in our £6.5 billion customer investment plan. The aircraft delivers a 25 per cent reduction in CO2 emissions compared to the aircraft it replaces … It will also offer greater comfort for our customers, as it features our latest generation seats in all cabins.”
Notably, the latest Boeing 787-10 is the first British Airways Boeing aircraft to be delivered with the new Club Suite cabin installed, and will have a four-class cabin layout, which also includes economy, premium economy and first class.
Across its four airlines – British Airways, Aer Lingus, Iberia and Vueling – parent company IAG reportedly still intends to take nine long-range aircraft deliveries in 2021, likely including some of the first six Boeing 787-10s initially slated for 2020, as well as some Airbus A350s.
However, IAG revealed in its first quarter results briefing that it will cut its 2021 delivery schedule from 17 aircraft down to just nine, a figure that is likely to include another first for British Airways – Boeing 777-9 jets.
