Inaugural Thomson Airways Dreamliner Flight Departs Birmingham Airport

Thomson Airways has launched its first Boeing 787 Dreamliner service from Birmingham Airport, as it departed for Montego Bay, Jamaica.

The Dreamliner aircraft will fly to Montego Bay, Jamaica; Bridgetown, Barbados; Sanford, Florida and Cancun in Mexico from Birmingham Airport throughout this summer and the coming winter.

Welcoming the inaugural flight, the Airport’s Commercial Director Jo Lloyd, said: “We are proud to have this new aircraft flying from Birmingham, and are thrilled local people will be able to fly to these popular long-haul holiday destinations in complete style and comfort, thanks to this state-of-the-art aircraft.

Thomson, which was the first UK airline to operate the 787 Dreamliner, has recently celebrated its first anniversary flying the aircraft. Since the first long haul flight back in July 2013, the fleet has made over 2,500 flights and carried over 670,000 customers.  

Thomson Airway’s Managing Director John Murphy said: “We are delighted that we can offer the people of the Midlands flights to some of our most popular long haul destinations on our fantastic 787 aircraft. Since the arrival of the first Dreamliner to our fleet just over a year ago it has been a big hit with customers, with 96% rating their flight as good or excellent. We are sure the customers flying today will enjoy their experience on this revolutionary new aircraft.”

The Dreamliner has revolutionised air travel, leaving holidaymakers more relaxed and refreshed than ever before, with comfort and wellbeing features on-board reducing the effects of jet-lag. It can also fly much further distances than similar-sized aircraft, allowing it to reach far flung destinations such as Thailand and Mexico’s Pacific Coast without the need to refuel as it uses 20% less fuel.

With generous legroom and wider seats, the Dreamliner also offers larger windows and special lighting, as well as state of the art in-flight entertainment systems. Carrying 291 passengers, Premium Club seats 47 in a 2-3-2 configuration and Economy Club seats 244 in a 3-3-3 configuration.