Friday, 6 September 2013 03:51
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British Airways is poised to become the first airline in Europe to introduce both the Airbus A380 and the Boeing 787 into its fleet.
The airline will take delivery into the UK of its first two 787s on consecutive days, 26 and 27 June, followed by its first A380 on 4 July. They will arrive around mid-morning.
British Airlines Chief Executive Keith Williams said: “The delivery of these exciting aircraft opens a new chapter in British Airways’ history. We are proud to be leading the way in Europe in operating both these aircraft types.
“Over the next 12 months, we will take delivery of new long-haul aircraft at an average rate of one every two weeks.
“These deliveries form the centrepiece of the £ 5 billion investment British Airways is making in new aircraft, smarter cabins, superb lounges and new technologies to make travel more comfortable in the air and on the ground.
“Both aircraft types make major environmental advances and will contribute toward our ambitious targets for noise and carbon reduction.” Following their arrival, both aircraft types will begin a complex ‘entry into service’ program, which will see pilot and cabin crew training taking place at Manston Airport in Kent, customer service trials at Heathrow and short-haul flying for both aircraft, including flights within the UK.
Seats on the A380 are currently on sale for travel from 15 October to Los Angeles and from 15 November to Hong Kong. However the airline is advising enthusiasts eager to be on the very first long-haul services to hold off booking as the dates of the inaugural services are yet to be announced.
The first destinations for the 787s, and the date tickets go on sale, will be unveiled shortly. British Airways has ordered a total of 12 A380s, 24 787s and six Boeing 777-300ERs for delivery over the next four years. Twenty-two of these long-haul aircraft are scheduled to come into the airline’s fleet by the end of summer 2014. The second A380 is due to be delivered in September 2013. IAG (British Airways’ parent company) has announced that it plans to convert 18 existing Boeing 787 options into firm orders for British Airways and order 18 Airbus A350s for the airline. They will be used to replace some of the airline’s Boeing 747-400 aircraft between 2017 and 2023.
