US-based United Airlines is preparing to take delivery of its first of 50 Boeing 787 Dreamliners this month. United Airlines will become the fifth operator of the new aircraft type, following launch customer Al Nippon Airways, and other operators: Japan Airlines, Ethiopian Airlines, and LATAM.
Ethiopian Airlines deploys its first Boeing 787 Dreamliner to the USA
In the Middle East region, the nearest airlines to deploy the aircraft are Ethiopian Airlines and in the near term, Air India. Neither airline is expected to fly to or from the GCC, Far North Africa, or Levant. Later this year, Qatar Airways will take delivery of the first Boeing 787 Dreamliner to fly to or from the Gulf Region.
The aircraft appears is being deployed in a variety of ways by the operating airlines. One of the longest services is offered by ANA from Boston to Tokyo (6,702 miles), and it appears United Airlines will operate between the USA and Europe (on the longer, more seasonal markets), and eventually, the USA to Asia.
It remains to be seen how the aircraft will be utilized across the industry, but the one common thread is that airlines are looking to schedule the aircraft on seasonal or thin, high-yield markets. The aircraft is quite a bit smaller than a Boeing 777, which combined with its new composite fuselage weight, gives it a very long service range. Airlines are likely to deploy the aircraft on their long and thin routes, or cities that have more seasonality. The impressive aspect we have seen is that the aircraft appears quite versatile (as it should be able to fly profitably on longhaul and medium haul routes).
Europe appears poised to get a large chunk of the new Dreamliner flights in the coming year. However, the long-term plan for most of the operating airlines is to fly much longer, thin routes that cannot support the larger Boeing 777 family.
Ethiopian Airlines will deploying its Dreamliners this fall between Addis Ababa and Washington, D.C. Check out the new aircraft with a nice video to give you a taste of the experience onboard.
Air India has indicated it will fly long-haul routes with its Dreamliners, with Sydney and Melbourne, Australia on tap.
Qatar Airways announced that it would fly its first Boeing 787 Dreamliner between Doha and London (at approximately 7.5 hours). In fact, in its current configuration, the aircraft appears poised to fly around Europe.
Qatar Airways has a substantial order in place for the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, which will boost passenger comfort for much of our customer base, especially if you are flying business class. Qatar Airways announced that it would fly its first Boeing 787 Dreamliner between Doha and London (at approximately 7.5 hours). In fact, in its current configuration, the aircraft appears poised to fly around Europe.
Customer reviews of the new aircraft have been nothing short of terrific. The aircraft features larger-sized windows, giving the cabin a more airy feel. Additionally, the Dreamliner has a new state-of-the-art air filtration system that helps passengers climatise to the cabin environment and arrive more hydrated and better rested. In fact, wine is reported to taste better onboard given the better quality cabin air environment.
As we hear of specific routes in YallaSafar’s service area to receive the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, we will update this article so you can book your flight onboard this high-tech jetliner.
Have you traveled onboard the Boeing 787 Dreamliner? If so, we would love to hear about it.