Thomson Airways will next year become the first leisure carrier to begin passenger operations with the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. 

The airline, part of the European tour operator TUI, plans to introduce the type into service from May 1st, 2013 and is currently looking at the exciting network opportunities the modern generation airliner will bring to its customers.

When Boeing launched the Dreamliner programme, its sales executives highlighted the wonderful new flight options it would bring to potential customers, but with some of the world’s leading business airlines among the first to operate the jet, it has to date mainly been used to serve key markets.

The arrival of the first aircraft with Thomson Airways late in the first quarter of 2013 will see the Dreamliner make its debut in the charter sector and will bring opportunities for the carrier’s parent to offer many new niche travel options that it previously could not operate.

To celebrate the arrival of the new aircraft, a revised aircraft interior and the brand new livery design for Thomson Airways, as well as other TUI Travel Group airlines has been launched. 

Thomson intends to configure its aircraft to carry 291 passengers.  A Premium Club cabin will seat 47 in a 2-3-2 configuration, each with a 38” pitch, and the Economy Club cabin will seat 244 in a 3-3-3 configuration, each with a 33” or 34” pitch.

Over the next three years Thomson Airways will receive eight of the 13 Dreamliners currently ordered by TUI Travel, but with 13 purchase options there is scope for further growth.

The first four are provisionally due to arrive in 2013, three more in 2014 and the last in 2015.