Thomson Airways will use the extended range and performance of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner to offer new long-haul destinations from 2012/13, including from regional airports.
The aircraft will be capable of flying direct to the US west coast or South-east Asia from an airport the size of Bristol, and Thomson Airways is considering flights to Brazil, Honolulu, Thailand and Cambodia.
Thomson will be the first UK carrier to operate the 787, with the first aircraft due for delivery in January 2012 following a two-year delay.
Airline managing director Chris Browne said the 787 would operate from Gatwick, Manchester, Birmingham, East Midlands, Bristol, Glasgow and Edinburgh.
The 250-seat 787 should bring a step-change in long-haul services by flying passengers further, faster and in greater comfort than ever before – with a reduction in jet-lag a promised by-product.
Speaking at the Farnborough Air Show where she welcomed the first 787 to the UK, Browne said: “We believe the 787 will increase demand for shorter duration long-haul holidays. Our research shows 43% of people would consider a long-haul holiday for just a week if jet lag was reduced.”