British Airways’ new Boeing 787-9 landed in New Delhi Indira Gandhi International Airport this morning, the first route to receive British Airways’ most technologically advanced aircraft complete with a brand new First cabin.
The latest addition to British Airways’ fleet received a unique send off in true Indian traditional style at Heathrow Airport, London. The change of scenery from a catwalk runway to the back drop of an airport runway didn’t seem to phase Suki Waterhouse or Neelam Gill as they joined the occasion to celebrate the launch of the new aircraft looking stunning, wearing lehengas customised by Indian designer, Rohit Bal. The models were shown around the new aircraft by British Airways pilots Caitlin Emery and Suneil Banerjee, having great fun as they marked the end of the occasion in a typical Indian festival manner by throwing flowers.
First Officer, Caitlin Emery was assisted in blessing the aircraft by Suki and Neelam who placed a garland and a specially designed bindi around the aircraft nose and front of the aircraft. The door of the brand new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner was also decorated with a bespoke henna design and the aircraft surrounded by flowers to signify good luck and best wishes. Striking shots of Suki and Neelam inside the engine, and in the new First cabin added extra grace to mark its’ inaugural flight.
Suki Waterhouse, on joining British Airways’ launch celebrations said: "I've never done a shoot quite like this but it was great fun and I loved wearing the beautiful lehenga. British Airways’ newest aircraft looks and feels like a special addition to the family, so I was pleased to be part of its’ unique send-off.’
Robert Williams, British Airways’ head of sales for Asia-Pacific, said, “We are delighted to launch our very first Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner to New Delhi with a brand new First cabin. It reinforces our strong focus on India as a market, which already enjoys the second largest position for us globally, after the US and outside the UK. At British Airways, we are committed to putting the customer at the heart of everything we do, offering the very best in comfort and luxury on board our flights as well as an expansive global network covering more than 179 cities in 75 countries.”
The new 787s have been a centerpiece to British Airways £5 billion investment programme to benefit customers with a total of 42 787s destined to join British Airways, the aircraft is to become the mainstay of the airline’s fleet. British Airways will continue to improve services for customers rolling out more new aircraft across its worldwide network as deliveries continue over the next three years.
British Airways’ Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner is 20ft longer than its 787-8 predecessor and has four classes with an addition of a new First cabin. Created specifically for the Boeing 787-9, the new First suites have been painstakingly designed based on feedback from First customers, to put comfort at the heart of the experience and make the very best use of a more intimate space.
British Airways’ second 787-9 joined the fleet last week and is destined to start flying to Abu Dhabi and Muscat on the November 5. Other future routes include Kuala Lumpur, Austin and one of British Airways’ many new route announcements for next year San Jose, California.
Notes to Editor
• Models are photographed wearing lehengas by Indian designer Rohit Bal
• British Airways' route network currently serves more than 179 cities in 75 countries. British Airways has been flying to India for over 90 years and currently operates 49 flights a week from London Heathrow to five cities – New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru and Hyderabad
• The flights from Heathrow to Abu Dhabi/Muscat will operate a daily service on the BA73 returning on the BA72
• The specific dates for 787-9 flights to Kuala Lumpur (December 2015) and Austin (February 2016) will be announced in due course
• The 787-9 is also planned to operate British Airways' new route to San Jose, California from May 4, 2015
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Photo Caption: Picture (1): Suki Waterhouse and Nelham Gill pose with pilot Suneil Banerjee and a traditional Rangoli created by Bellapetals during a photo shoot to mark the launch of flights by the new British Airways.Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner from London to New Dehli at Heathrow Airport on October 24, 2015 in London, England. Suki Waterhouse and Nelham Gill wore dresses by Rohit Bal. Photo by Eamonn M. McCormack/Getty Images for British Airways)
Picture (3) Suki Waterhouse and Nelham Gill pose with pilots Suneil Banerjee and Caitlin Emery during a photo shoot to mark the launch of flights by the new British Airways.Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner from London to New Dehli at Heathrow Airport on October 24, 2015 in London, England. Suki Waterhouse Nelham Gill wore outfits by Rohit Bal (Photo by Eamonn M. McCormack/Getty Images for British Airways
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