British Airways' new Boeing 787 Dreamliner set to make inaugural flight to Canada

State-of-the-art passenger jet to touch down in Toronto on Sept. 1

LONDON, UK: British Airways' Boeing 787 Dreamliner at London Heathrow (CNW Group/British Airways)

TORONTO , Aug. 30, 2013 /CNW/ - British Airways is debuting its new Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft with an inaugural long-haul flight between London and Toronto on September 1 . The flight will arrive from London on Sunday afternoon at 14:55 local time and depart the same evening at 19:20, marking the first long-haul service for the airline's new fleet.

Canadians will now be able to enjoy new levels of comfort and reduced jet-lag on their trips to Europe thanks to improvements in air quality, mood lighting, quieter cabins, and lower air pressure. The Dreamliner will fly exclusively between Toronto and London in September and beginning in October, between New York and London .

British Airways plans to add 24 new Dreamliner 787s to its fleet over the next four years. This is part of the airline's investment of more than £5bn worldwide in new aircrafts, smarter cabins, elegant lounges and new technologies to make life more comfortable in the air and on the ground.

"We're delighted to be bringing the first in our new fleet of aircraft into Toronto ," said Sean Doyle , EVP Americas for British Airways. "I believe our Canadian customers will enjoy the new features of this truly remarkable aircraft and will arrive in London ready to work, site-see or continue on to one of our many exciting destinations in Europe , Asia and Africa ."

Updated Cabins
The new aircraft accommodates 214 passengers, 35 in Club World (business class), 25 in World Traveller Plus (premium economy) and 154 in World Traveller (economy). The three newly designed cabins feature high quality materials, comfortable seats and increased bag storage. Customers in British Airways Club World cabin can take advantage of wide, full-flat beds and Club Kitchen, a snack bar open throughout the flight.

The 787 also has the largest windows of any commercial airliner, offering customers views of the horizon from every seat. Instead of pull down blinds, each one has its own dimmer switch.

Enhanced Entertainment
British Airways' 787 is fitted with the airline's new Thales entertainment system. Each seat features a television screen and customers can choose from more than 700 hours of movies, TV and music, including 230 TV programs, 70 movies and 400 music albums and interactive games. Travelers can also communicate and play games with friends elsewhere on the aircraft using an in-seat chat system.

T.I.F.F.
As part of its Dreamliner launch, British Airways has partnered with Toronto International Film Festival (T.I.F.F.) sponsor Variety. As part of the airline's commitment to the entertainment industry, British Airways will co-present the magazine's popular studio at the festival. Visitors to the Variety Studio will experience signature elements of the British Airways Dreamliner service.

About British Airways
British Airways, part of International Airlines Group, is one of the world's leading global premium airlines and the largest international carrier in the UK. The carrier has its home base at London Heathrow, the world's busiest international airport and flies to more than 70 different countries. In 2012 the airline carried more than 37 million customers. The airline currently has a fleet of more than 270 aircraft.

Image with caption: "LONDON, UK: British Airways' Boeing 787 Dreamliner at London Heathrow (CNW Group/British Airways)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20130830_C9285_PHOTO_EN_30251.jpg

SOURCE: British Airways