Today, British Airways performed its first Boeing 787-10 revenue flight. The jet is currently heading for Dallas-Fort Worth after departing London Heathrow this afternoon.
On its way
According to FlightAware, the Dreamliner left Heathrow at 14:52 BST and is due to arrive in Texas at 18:03 CDT. Altogether, the flight time is expected to be nine hours and 11 minutes.
The unit that is in the air is registration G-ZBLA. This plane arrived from Charleston, South Carolina, at the end of last month and was the first 787-10 to join BA. It was manufactured with serial number 60637 and had been making rounds around Boeing’s facility before crossing the Atlantic.
However, it is now returning to the US with passengers on board, under flight number BAW193. This route was previously being performed by a 787-8 before today. The new addition is currently traveling at a speed of 564 mph and at an altitude of 11,580 m. Right now, it is flying across the ocean, south of Greenland, before it reaches North American airspace.
Part of a broader plan
According to a press release seen by Simple Flying, the new widebody arrived with the airline’s recently unveiled business class seat called Club Suite. This is in a 48-seat forward-facing Club World cabin. The airline’s World Traveller Plus cabin offers 35 seats, and its standard World Traveller cabin can hold 165 passengers.
British Airways chairman and CEO Álex Cruz shared how the jet fits in with the company’s strategy. Ultimately, the aircraft assists with the firm’s efficiency targets.
“The delivery of our first 787-10 aircraft marks another significant milestone in our £6.5bn customer investment plan,” Cruz said, according to the press release.
“The aircraft delivers a 25 per cent reduction in CO2 emissions compared to the aircraft it replaces, another step towards our commitment to net zero carbon emissions by 2050. It will also offer greater comfort for our customers, as it features our latest generation seats in all cabins.”
It shouldn’t be long before this launch jet is joined in service by another 787-10. The second unit joined BA at the beginning of this month. It arrived with registration G-ZBLB and will likely replace another 787-8 or 787-9 route.
One for the future
Altogether, amid the current conditions, British Airways will be glad to finally be able to get its 787-10s in action. Once the global climate improves and there are fewer restrictions between the UK and the US, the type will be a useful asset for the British flag carrier. In total, BA is expecting to operate 12 of the long-haul specialist.
Simple Flying reached out to British Airways for comment on this flight but did not hear back before publication. We will update the article with any further announcements.
What are your thoughts on this progress for BA’s 787-10? Are you looking forward to flying with the airline on this jet? Let us know what you think of the plane in the comment section.