TUI welcomes Boeing 787 Dreamliner
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TUI Travel and Thomson Airways has revealed the interior details of its new Boeing 787 Dreamliner at this year’s Farnborough Airshow. Dreamliners will have more legroom in its economy seats and attempt to reduce the symptoms of jet lag. This has included the installation of a lighting system to recreate the sunrise and sunset of its final destination and high humidity levels in the cabin. Thomson Airways will also be using aromatherapy fragrances to relax passengers and a bar area will provide unlimited fresh fruit smoothies and mineral water, another UK first. These developments have been created following the airline’s research which revealed that 43% of people would consider flying long-haul for a week’s holiday if jet lag symptoms were reduced. As a result, the company believes more customers will take shorter duration long-haul holidays. “With Dreamliner, not only will our customers experience unparalleled levels comfort and a greater sense of wellbeing, we are entering a new era of long haul travel with this aircraft, making it accessible and affordable to all,” explained TUI CEO Peter Long. “We will take the pre-eminent position in the long haul charter market.” Thomson Airways will also be the first airline to offer broadband access on the 787 in the UK and a HD in-flight entertainment system is installed on the aircraft. Possible new destinations for the company include Borneo, Madagascar, Namibia, Buenos Aires, Cambodia, Ecuador, Vietnam and Honolulu with direct flights from Gatwick, Manchester, Glasgow and Bristol. “It is a bold decision and a major coup for us to be the UK launch airline for the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, which will totally change the way our customers fly,” said Thomson Airways Managing Director Chris Browne. “We have a strong track record in innovation having transformed the way people enjoy long haul flights five years ago when we revolutionised the chartered long haul experience.” Dreamliner is 20% more energy efficient than previous aircraft and has quieter engines, which will help TUI in its sustainability programme. Other new features of the aircraft include large windows, controllable lighting and cleaner air filtration, as well as a system that monitors and changes air pressure differences and turbulence. The aircraft is set to be delivered in January 2012 and will be the first Dreamliner to operate in the UK. Thomson Airways will take eight aircraft and TUI will take five.
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