British Airways has showcased its most technologically advanced aircraft, the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, to enthusiasts in Derby, Newcastle and Edinburgh.

Earlier today more than a thousand Rolls-Royce workers became plane spotters as the 787, fitted with Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engines, flew 1,000 feet over the company’s Derbyshire site, side-by-side with a Spitfire, to thank staff for designing and building the engines.

British Airways’ first 787 pilot, senior first officer Mitch Preston said: “It was a huge thrill to fly our newest Boeing aircraft alongside one with such history, and over the factory where the aircraft engines for British Airways 787s and A380s were made.

“We didn’t realise so many Rolls Royce staff would be coming out to watch – we could see them all from 1,000 feet!”

Shortly afterwards, the aircraft landed at Newcastle International Airport, where regional media, invited guests and British Airways’ staff from nearby Bamburgh Court offices were given tours of the cabin.

Richard Tams, British Airways’ head of UK & I sales and marketing said: “We’re very excited to have flown our new Boeing 787 Dreamliner into Newcastle International Airport, which hundreds of thousands of our customers use every year to transfer onto international flights at Heathrow.

“Our customers in the north of England are hugely important to us, and we wanted them to be among the first to see the new aircraft and to learn about all the benefits it brings”