Vistara, India’s only five star carrier according to airline rating agency Skytrax, has taken delivery of its first Boeing 787-9. Celebrations began with a press briefing held in Seattle. AeroNewsX was lucky enough to be part of the celebrations for the carrier’s first ever wide-body aircraft.
Addressed by Vistara CEO Leslie Thng and Boeing Commercial Sales & Marketing VP John Bruns, the press event marked the start of celebrations for the carrier’s long-awaited 787-9 Dreamliner. The delivery is an important milestone for the Indian carrier which, like many in the region, has been struggling from heavy competition and rising fuel prices. The new 787-9 has become the first wide-body aircraft in the airline’s fleet and opens up opportunities for the carrier to grow its network further afield.
The press briefing included a tour of the new aircraft, pictures of which can be found below.
The Boeing 787-9 was described as a “turning point” for the carrier and rightly so, as it puts Vistara side by side with Air India, the only Indian carrier operating long-haul services with wide-body aircraft.
Vistara was formed as a joint-venture between the TATA Group and Singapore Airlines.
The Boeing 787-9 will arrive in Delhi on 29 February, 2020 at approximately 14:00, the VP & Head of Corporate Communications at Vistara, Rashmi Soni, confirms to AeroNewsX. This will follow a ribbon cutting and flyaway breakfast on 28 February at 6:00 before the plane departs for India at 8:00.
Vistara CEO, Leslie Thng said: “This aircraft delivery marks a new phase of growth for Vistara and unlocks our potential to become one of world’s best airlines. The Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner is one of the world’s most technologically advanced aircraft. We are delighted to add it to our growing fleet with a brand new wide-body product designed to global standards, hence offering the ‘new feeling of flying’ to our customers across the world.”
Vistara has 6 Boeing 787-9s on order, which will feature 299 seats in a three-class configuration comprising Business Class, Premium Economy and Economy Class. Over the next month, the 787 will operate domestic services in India in preparation for its long-haul debut.
Thng continued: “We will use the Boeing 787 Dreamliners to soon begin flying long-haul routes, providing authentic Indian hospitality to customers in a modern, global setting.”
The 787 delivery is a momentous occasion for the carrier and we’re excited to see how Vistara’s network evolves.
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