Virgin Atlantic marked its 30th birthday this week by announcing the launch of its first Boeing Dreamliner service to Boston.
The carrier is due to take delivery of its first Boeing 787-9 in September and will begin services between Heathrow and Boston on October 28.
Virgin Atlantic will be the first European carrier to begin operating the 787-9, a larger version of the Dreamliner currently in service.
The airline launched its first flight from Heathrow to New York Newark 30 years ago on June 22 1984.
Virgin Atlantic chief executive Craig Kreeger said: “We’ve been proudly serving and delighting our customers for the last 30 years.
“We know the Dreamliner will bring new innovations and cutting edge product. We look forward to welcoming this aircraft to our fleet.”
Kreeger described the 787 as “the centrepiece” of Virgin’s future fleet, saying: “The 787-9 will represent over half our fleet by 2018.”
Virgin Atlantic’s 787-9 will be configured with 264 seats – 31 in Upper Class, 35 in premium economy and 198 in economy.
The carrier promises a new version of its Upper Class, a “refreshed” premium economy – including a social space it has christened “the wander wall” – and a “best in class” economy seat, with WiFi access and the latest inflight entertainment.
Tickets for the Heathrow-Boston service are due to go on sale on Thursday (June 26).
Virgin will take delivery of a second 787 before the end of the year and launch the aircraft on its Heathrow service to Washington in December.
It plans to add a Heathrow-Newark 787 service five times a week from January 2015 and a daily 787 service between Heathrow and New York JFK from February.