Thomson's first long haul 787 takes off from East Midlands Airport
Thomson operated flight TOM586 with its brand new 787 plane which departed East Midlands Airport today with 291 passengers on board.
East Midlands is now one of only four UK airports to currently operate the revolutionary Thomson 787 Dreamliner aircraft – along with London Gatwick, Manchester and Glasgow airports. Thomson Airways will fly the state-of-the-art aircraft from the East Midlands on long haul routes to Sanford, Florida and Cancun in Mexico.
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. It can also fly much further distances than similar-sized aircraft and is more environmentally friendly, using 20% less fuel.
Chris Browne, managing director of Thomson Airways said: “We’re incredibly excited to be the first UK airline fly the 787 Dreamliner to and from East Midlands Airport.
Our aim has always been to make the Dreamliner as accessible as possible to our customers, who we know want to fly from their local airport. By flying the state-of-the-art aircraft from East Midlands we’re opening up a whole host of exciting long haul destinations to the region.
“The extended flying range of the Dreamliner also unlocks a host of new and exciting holiday options for our customers, who regularly tell us that they want to be able to fly from their local airport in order to have the best possible holiday experience. That’s why we have 787 flights from Gatwick serving the south, Manchester serving the North, with Glasgow for Scotland and from today now have the Midlands region covered too.
Andy Cliffe, managing director, East Midlands Airport said: "We’re delighted that Thomson Airways has chosen East Midlands Airport as one of only four UK airports to operate the new 787 Dreamliner.
"The highly anticipated arrival of the brand new 787 plane, which touched down on East Midlands soil this morning, is of great significance to East Midlands Airport and we're extremely proud that our passengers have the chance to fly long haul on the Dreamliner from their local airport."
