10 June 2009

BA adds first new long haul aircraft in eight years

British Airways has put its first new long haul aircraft to join the fleet since 2001 into service.

The Boeing 777-200ER has spent two months being kitted out at the airline’s maintenance base in Cardiff.

It flew to Washington on its maiden commercial flight.

The airline will receive three more Boeing 777-200ERs this year, increasing the fleet from the current 43.

Engineers installed World Traveller, World Traveller Plus and Club World flat beds on the aircraft, as well as the airline’s audio and video on demand entertainment systems.

More than 20 engineers worked on the project, which took eight weeks to complete, following 6 months of planning and preparation.

Air conditioning ducting and electrical looms had to undergo re-routing to accommodate a specially designed flight crew rest pod as well as installing under-floor plumbing. An overhead rest area for cabin crew was also installed.

Flight crew have access to a rest area complete with two business jet-style leather seats, two bunks, an entertainment system and toilet.

Engineers reconfigured a number of galleys, toilets and closets to allow the addition of another 12 Club World seats.

The projected financial return for the additional seats will not only pay for the purchase and installation of the flight crew rest area, but will also generate additional revenue through its future years in service, the airline said.

by Phil Davies