Boeing, Avianca Celebrate Delivery of Airline's First 787 Dreamliner

EVERETT, Wash., Dec. 18, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] and Avianca celebrated the delivery of the first 787 Dreamliner for the Latin American carrier, helping the airline stay at the forefront of technology in the region.

"The addition of the first Boeing 787-8 to Avianca's fleet is a milestone for commercial aviation and for our airline, which strives to bring the most advanced aviation technology to our passengers," said Avianca President and CEO Fabio Villegas Ramirez. "With this aircraft, we continue to fulfill the dream this company has had from the beginning: To make better and better connections between Latin America and the world, while giving our customers more enjoyable flights aboard airplanes designed to provide the greatest comfort along with maximum operational performance."

The 787 is a family of technologically advanced, super-efficient airplanes with new passenger-pleasing features. In addition to bringing big-jet ranges to midsize airplanes, the 787 uses 20 percent less fuel and creates 20 percent fewer emissions than the airplanes it replaces.

"The 787 Dreamliner, with its high efficiency, enhanced environmental performance and preferred passenger experience, is an ideal airplane for the Latin American market, and Boeing is pleased and honored that Avianca will use the 787 to modernize its fleet and delight its customers," said Van Rex Gallard, vice president, Latin America, Africa and Caribbean Sales, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "We are excited to grow our partnership with Avianca for today's fleet and for the future."

In addition to providing airlines with unprecedented fuel economy and low operating costs, the 787 features a host of new features that greatly enhance the passenger experience.

Avianca's Boeing 787-8 will carry 28 passengers in business class and 222 in economy class. Passengers in both classes will also experience cabin environment improvements made possible on the 787 such as dynamic LED lighting, the largest windows, bigger overhead bins, a lower cabin altitude, a more humid environment, low interior noise, cleaner air and a smoother ride.

With 95 years in operation, Avianca is working to fly a younger fleet than ever, flying with leading-edge technology to 24 destinations in Colombia and 98 destinations in South America, North America and Europe.

To date, 58 customers have ordered 1,055 787s, making the Dreamliner the fastest-selling twin-aisle airplane in Boeing history.