Boeing, Jetstar Celebrate Delivery of First 787 Dreamliner for Australia

Jetstar to fly the 787 on international routes

Australian-made parts help lift the wings of every Dreamliner

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EVERETT, Wash., Oct. 7, 2013 -- Boeing (NYSE: BA) and Jetstar Airways celebrated the delivery of the carrier's first 787 today, which is also the first Dreamliner for Australia.

"Today is a historic milestone for the Qantas Group and Jetstar as we welcome the most advanced passenger aircraft ever constructed to the fleet," said Qantas Group CEO Alan Joyce. "In just 10 short years, Jetstar has grown to be the largest low fares carrier in the Asia Pacific, carrying more than 100 million passengers. The 787 will set up the airline for another decade of growth."

Jetstar's 787 Dreamliner departed Monday morning from Boeing's Everett, Wash. delivery center en route to Melbourne, Australia where the plane will be greeted by airline employees and special guests.

"We're proud to deliver the revolutionary 787 Dreamliner to our partners at Jetstar," said Boeing Commercial Airplanes President and CEO Ray Conner. "The 787s unmatched fuel efficiency will give Jetstar an advantage in the marketplace and its passengers will travel with the world's most advanced in-flight experience."

"Jetstar customers will have the chance to fly in a larger and more spacious cabin, enjoy gate to gate in-flight entertainment and arrive at their destination more refreshed thanks to a lower cabin altitude to reduce the impact of jet lag," said Jetstar Group CEO Jayne Hrdlicka. "The entire Jetstar team is very excited to have the 787 take to Australia skies."

The 787 is a visionary design and a revolution in passenger comfort with large, electrically-dimmable windows, larger stow bins, modern LED lighting, higher humidity, a lower cabin altitude, cleaner air and a smoother ride. The 787 uses 20 percent less fuel use and emits 20 percent fewer emissions than similarly sized airplanes."

An international team of top aerospace companies designs and builds the 787. Boeing Aerostructures Australia manufactures the movable trailing edge on the wing of every Dreamliner.

Jetstar, the Qantas Group's low-cost brand, plans to introduce the 787 Dreamliner first on domestic routes and then its international network. The airline has a total of 14 787 Dreamliners on order and expects to fly an all-787 long-haul fleet by 2015.