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WestJet Receives First Boeing 787 Dreamliner

WestJet’s New Boeing 787 (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Katie Bailey)

Canadian low-cost carrier WestJet received its first Boeing 787 Dreamliner today in a delivery ceremony held at Boeing’s Delivery Center in Everett, Wash. A logical next step for the Boeing-dominated airline, the Dreamliner marks a new chapter for the 15-year old airline that only started long haul operations in Nov. 2015. The airline chose the middle child in the Boeing 787 Dreamliner family, opting for the dash 9 variant, which debuted in commercial service in 2014.

WestJet and Boeing representatives cutting the ribbon to the airline’s new Dreamliner. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Katie Bailey)

The Dreamliner that was delivered today first took flight on Jan. 6 during its initial test flight and is the first in an order of 10 for the Calgary-based carrier. Sporting WestJet’s new livery, the aircraft is now the largest aircraft in WestJet’s fleet and its long haul flagship, joining the Boeing 737 MAX 8 in the airline’s ultramodern lineup.

The ceremony was attended by executives from both Boeing and WestJet – including Brad McMullen, Vice President of North American Sales for Boeing Commercial Airplanes and Clive Beddoe, Chairman of the Board for WestJet. During the ceremony, a ceremonial key was exchanged and the name of the aircraft, coincidentally “Clive Beddoe”, was also revealed.

Revealing the aircraft name, “Clive Beddoe,” will Mr. Beddoe, Chairman of WestJet’s board, in attendance. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Katie Bailey)

“It’s a historic day, a partnership that started over 20 years ago, we welcome you to the Boeing 787 family,” said Robert Manelski, Senior Director of Operations for the 787 at Boeing.

WestJet and Boeing executives exchanging the ceremonial aircraft key. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Katie Bailey)

“Today’s delivery marks a new chapter for WestJet,” said Ed Sims, WestJet President and CEO. “Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner is one of the most technologically advanced aircraft ever flown and is the perfect platform for our transition to a global network carrier. We look forward to bringing Canadians to the world and the world to Canada in comfort and style.”

Following the ceremony, the Dreamliner departed its birthplace to its new home north of the border in nearby Canada. When it touched down in Calgary, WestJet officially became only the second Canadian airline to operate a Dreamliner in the Great White North. In just over a month, the aircraft will be flying on one of WestJet’s most popular domestic routes between its Calgary and Toronto hubs.

WestJet’s first Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner taking the runway for its delivery flight to Calgary. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Katie Bailey)

WestJet’s Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner departing Everett for Calgary. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Katie Bailey)

After domestic testing runs, WestJet plans to first use the Dreamliners for transatlantic flights between its hub in Calgary to London in April, adding on Paris and Dublin in May and June, respectively. The carrier already has four Boeing 767-300ER in its fleet, used for domestic routes as well as routes that the 787s will serve including to London. However, with an average age of 25 years and quarterly maintenance costs of around $5 million, WestJet hopes to replace the secondhand 767s with the newer and fuel-efficient Boeing 787

Cabin configuration onboard the new aircraft will feature three classes, a first for the historically economy-based airline. with 16 seats in business class, 28 in premium economy, and 260 in economy. The new 16-seat business class cabin will be the first of its kind for the airline, featuring lie-flat seats aimed at competing with rival Air Canada’s premium product, as well as on-demand dining and turndown service. The airline previously only offered a premium economy section dubbed “Plus” on its Boeing 737 and Boeing 767 aircraft, with the Dreamliner marking an end to the airline’s status as an all-economy airline.

Business class on WestJet’s Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner features reverse herringbone seats in a 1-2-1 configuration. (Photo: WestJet)

Overlooking the business class seat on WestJet’s 787-9 (Photo: WestJet)

The 28-seat premium economy cabins found on the new Dreamliners are expected to be similar to domestic first class in the United States and Canada, as is the standard for international premium economy products, with seat pitch expected to be 38-inches. The remainder of the aircraft will consist of 260 economy seats, arranged in the standard 3-3-3 configuration. Each seat onboard the 787 will have personal in-flight entertainment systems and power outlets, with additional features in the premium cabins such as a self-serve, walk-up snack and drink bar.

WestJet’s premium economy seats will feature 38-inches of pitch in a 2-3-2 configuration. (Photo: WestJet)

Standard 3-3-3 economy class on WestJet’s Boeing 787 Dreamliner. (Photo: WestJet)

The addition of new long haul aircraft marks a stark shift from the domestic, low-cost strategy the airline formerly solely operated with its fleet of Boeing 737s, similar to that of Southwest Airlines in the U.S., to a now domestic and long haul strategy rivaling that of Air Canada and Air Transat.

Akhil Dewan

Author

  • Akhil Dewan

    An “AvGeek” for most of his life, Akhil has always been drawn to aviation. If there is an opportunity to read about an airline, fly on a new airplane, or talk to anyone about aviation, he is on it. Akhil has been on over 20 different kinds of aircraft, his favorite being the MD-80. Additionally, he has visited 5 continents and plans to knock out the remaining two (Africa and Antarctica) soon. Based in Dallas, Akhil graduated from Texas A&M University with a degree in Management Information Systems and currently works in consulting. His dream is to become an airline executive.

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