Ethiopian prepares B787 arrival

Ethiopian Airlines is to take delivery of its first Boeing 787 Dreamliner next week.

The carrier will receive the third Dreamliner to be manufactured on Tuesday (14 August) in Seattle, although it is yet to confirm what routes the aircraft will be used on. Further celebrations will be held at Ethiopia’s Bole Addis Ababa International Airport on Thursday when the aircraft arrives at its home.

Ethiopian Airlines’ Dreamliner will have 24 Cloud Nine business seats and 245 economy class seats. It will be the first carrier to receive a Dreamliner in Africa, Europe, Americas and the Middle East.

“The fact that we are the first airline outside Japan to receive this ultra-modern aircraft is an affirmation of our continuing pioneering role in African aviation. It is also a testimony of our commitment to give our passengers the best possible travel experience, with the best industry products and services,” said Tewolde Gebremariam, CEO of Ethiopian.

By Amanda Greenwood, 9 August 2012, Thursday 3:35 PM