2013-07-10 — /travelprnews.com/ — Manchester Airport, 8th July 2013: Much-loved star of Britain’s Got Talent, Alesha Dixon, surprised holidaymakers today when she joined Thomson Airways team to celebrate the inaugural long haul flight of its superstar 787 Dreamliner aircraft.
Usually judging Britain’s talent, Alesha learnt some new skills as she stunned customers flying to Florida, helping on the check in desk, making tannoy announcements and greeting passengers as they boarded the state-of-the-art aircraft for the first time.
Thomson Airways is the first UK airline to fly the new Boeing 787. 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.
In addition to Manchester, Thomson Airways will fly the state-of-the-art aircraft from Glasgow, London Gatwick and East Midlands airports, on long haul routes to Orlando, Florida and Cancun in Mexico. The first two flights will leave today from Manchester and Glasgow.
Alesha Dixon says of her experience: “I’ve loved working with the Thomson Airways team – it was brilliant fun to surprise holidaymakers and help mark the historic first flight of this glamorous new plane.
“I’m lucky enough to have been on the Thomson 787 Dreamliner and it looks amazing. The seats are really comfortable with plenty of leg room, and the huge windows and special lighting all give it a real wow factor – it definitely gets a big ‘yes’ from me! I was very tempted to join the passengers today and head to Florida on the Dreamliner with them!”
Chris Browne, Managing Director of Thomson Airways comments: “Today is a very special day as for the first time ever we are taking customers on their long haul holidays from Manchester and Glasgow Airports on the Thomson 787 Dreamliner. We’re the first UK airline to fly the 787 Dreamliner and hope our customers will enjoy the unique experience of this revolutionary new aircraft.
“The introduction of the Dreamliner is a major milestone in our journey of modernising the holiday experience. Customers will be amazed at the look, feel and service – all of which will ensure the unique Thomson holiday experience starts as soon as they step on board this fantastic new aircraft.
“The extended flying range of the Dreamliner also unlocks a host of new and exciting holiday options for our customers, increasing the range of long haul destinations available with Thomson Airways to include Thailand, Mauritius and Puerto Vallarta.”
The Thomson 787 Dreamliner will carry 291 passengers. Premium Club will seat 47 in a 2-3-2 configuration, each with a 38” pitch, and Economy Club will seat 244 in a 3-3-3 configuration, each with an industry leading 33” or 34” pitch.
Thomson Airways will be taking delivery of eight Boeing 787 Dreamliners in total, up to May 2015. Thomson’s first long-haul Dreamliner flights will operate from Manchester to Florida and Glasgow to Cancun, on 8 July 2013.
To see Alesha training with the Thomson Airways team visit www.facebook.com/Thomsonholidays #dreamtalent
Notes to Editors
For images, interviews and further information please contact:
Pressoffice@thomson.co..uk or thomson@hkstrategies.com
Visit our online news room at Thomson.presscentre.com where the following will be available for download:
- Alesha Dixon ‘teaser’ film
- Alesha Dixon surprising Dreamliner passengers
- Images of Alesha Dixon with the Dreamliner
- Photos of the aircraft landing at Manchester
- Images of the aircraft interior
- Images of the new livery
- Photos of Chris Browne, Managing Director of Thomson Airways and Boeing with the Dreamliner
THOMSON AIRWAYS
Thomson Airways, the airline for Thomson and First Choice, is the UK’s third largest airline and forms part of the TUI Travel PLC group.
With a fleet of 57 aircraft consisting of Boeing 737,757,767 and Airbus 320 and 321, it serves 22 UK airports taking over five million customers away each year and operates to 88 destinations in 30 countries.
The airline was the first UK airline to take delivery of and is the first to fly the Boeing 787 Dreamliner.
TUI TRAVEL PLC
Thomson Airways is part of TUI Travel PLC, one of the world’s leading international leisure travel groups operating in approximately 180 countries worldwide. It serves more than 30 million customers in over 31 source markets. Headquartered in the UK, the Group employs approximately 54,000 people and operates a pan-European airline group consisting of 141 aircraft. The Group is organised and managed through three business Sectors: Mainstream, Accommodation & Destinations and Specialist & Activity. In the financial year ended 30 September 2012, TUI Travel reported revenues of £14.5bn and an underlying operating profit of £490m.
TUI Travel is listed on the London Stock Exchange as a member of the FTSE 100 and FTSE4Good Indices.
For more information visit www.tuitravelplc.com
Contact
Thomson Press Office
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Britain’s Got Talent star Alesha Dixon joined Thomson Airways to celebrate the inaugural long haul flight of UK’s first 787 Dreamliner