True to its rule of not saving up orders for airshows, Boeing unveiled its first European customers for the 7E7 in the run-up to Farnborough.
UK leisure carrier First Choice Airways has opted for six Dreamliners, while Italian leisure/scheduled operator Blue Panorama has gone for four of the type. Both have selected the baseline 7E7-8 version. Their orders are worth $700 million and $500 million respectively.
First Choice, which will replace its fleet of 767s with 7E7s, is to take delivery of its first aircraft in February 2009, says managing director Chris Browne, with the others following in the next 12-18 months.
"It will allow First Choice to redefine the leisure passenger experience," she says. "The 7E7 is the next logical step, it allows us to offer affordable holidays to long-haul destinations."
The carrier wants to offer travellers a comfortable cabin environment on routes from the UK to the US west coast, Hawaii, Dubai, South Africa and the Far East.
"There is no other aircraft out there to touch it," says Browne of the 7E7. Airbus offered its standard A330-200 in competition to the 7E7. She adds: "We believe the advantages of the 7E7 are compelling", pointing to its operating costs, low noise and emissions and range.
First Choice is planning a two-class interior configuration to seat around 270 people. It has a further three 7E7-8 options.
Long-haul
Blue Panorama intends to replace its 767-300ERs with the 7E7-8, starting in February 2009. It will also use the aircraft on long-haul routes, connecting Italian cities with destinations in the Far East and Latin and Central America.
Both carriers are evaluating the Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 and General Electric's GENX engine options for their 7E7s and are expected to make their choices by year-end.
MARK PILLING
Source: Flight Daily News
