29 October 2014. Virgin Atlantic to replace leased Boeing 747s with Boeing 787-10 variant as the lease expired in 2019.
The carrier intends to exercise its new fleet Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner and see how the performance operationally.
Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner
London - Boston is the route debut for the Dreamliner as well as the first European operator for widebody aircraft jet. Following Boston, Washington DC, Newark and New York have been targeted by the Virgin Atlantic as the new destination for the 787-9 Dreamliner.
The Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner able to carry between 250-290 passengers, depends on the leisure route or business route. Classified into three classes, upper class, premium economy class and economy class. Virgin Atlantic is the first carrier that introduced the premium economy class which offer better legroom space.
Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner's Seat Configuration
Craig Kreeger, Virgin's chief executive stated that the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner is a great aircraft from an economic point of view. The more you fly the more you get the better fuel efficiency. He added that the west cost of United States and Asia's destinations are two great business plan.
Virgin is still looking alternative for Boeing 747s replacement, meanwhile Boeing 777 Series and brand new Airbus A350 Series are two good widebody aircraft. Although, Boeing 787-10 has smaller capacity but it offers attendant efficiency and fleet commonality.
Front Angle of Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner
Virgin Atlantic ordered fifteen Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner and possibly to increase order to eight additional aircraft, the deal worth to USD 8 billion. Currently the UK based carrier operating nineteen Airbus A340-600s, 13 of Boeing 747-400s and six Airbus A340-300s.