UK Dreamliner flights take off in july

Boeing’s problem-hit planes have been modified and are ready for lift-off again

The long wait for a UK airline to finally be able to operate Boeing’s problem-hit Dreamliner plane will end on 8 July.

On that date Thomson Airways will begin Boeing 787 Dreamliner services, using the aircraft to fly between Manchester and Orlando in Florida and between Glasgow and Cancun in Mexico.

Thomson had to scrap all its planned Dreamliner flights for May and June 2013 after battery smoke emanating on two Dreamliner flights operated by Japanese carriers led to a grounding of the world’s 787 fleet and a halt to deliveries of the aircraft. Boeing has carried out modification work and the planes, seen as quiet and fuel-efficient, are now flying again.

Following modification work, Boeing has now been given the go-ahead to operate the plane which was already years late going into service owing to production difficulties.

Thomson, which is due to receive eight Dreamliners, is the UK launch customer for the plane and before the grounding had been busy promoting trips on the 787 which can seat between 210 and 290 passengers on medium-range routes.

British Airways was due to take delivery of the first of 24 Dreamliners this month and is in discussion with Seattle-based Boeing about the delivery schedule following the plane’s return to service.

Virgin Atlantic is scheduled to get the first of its 16 Dreamliners in September 2014.