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First passenger flight for revolutionary Thomson 787 Dreamliner

Direct News Source

21-Jun-2013 Thomson Airways, the airline for Thomson and First Choice, today made UK aviation history as it flew the UK's first 787 Dreamliner passenger flight.

Thomson, which is the first UK airline to fly the state-of-the-art Boeing 787 Dreamliner, operated flight TOM4536 with its brand new 787 plane - departing London's Gatwick airport at 08:05am, flying to Mahon, Menorca.

The Dreamliner is set to revolutionise air travel and leave holidaymakers more relaxed and refreshed than ever before, with comfort and wellbeing features on-board reducing the effects of jet-lag and turbulence.

David Burling, Managing Director of Thomson Airways' parent company TUI UK and Ireland, joined passengers on-board the historic first flight. He commented:

"Today has been several months and years in the planning and after a lot of hard work I am absolutely thrilled to celebrate the first flight from London Gatwick, which is a very important event in the company's history. We're very proud to be the first UK airline to fly the Dreamliner and will operate this state-of-the-art aircraft on short and mid haul routes in preparation for our inaugural long-haul flights to Cancun and Florida on 8th July."

The Thomson 787 Dreamliner carries 291 passengers. Premium Club will seat 47 in a 2-3-2 configuration, each with a 38" pitch, and Economy Club will seat 244 in a 3-3-3 configuration, each with an industry leading 33" or 34" pitch.

Thomson Airways will be taking delivery of eight Boeing 787 Dreamliners in total, up to May 2015. Thomson's first long-haul Dreamliner flights will operate from Manchester to Florida and Glasgow to Cancun, on 8 July 2013.