Jetstar’s first Boeing 787 in final assembly in Seattle

· First aircraft in final stages of assembly ahead of September delivery
· Dreamliner to fly Australian domestic services prior to international flying
· Momentum builds around training and new jobs

Jetstar executives have been in Seattle this week to see carrier’s first Boeing 787 Dreamliner in final assembly ahead of its scheduled delivery in late September.

The assembly includes the addition of the moveable trailing edge components, manufactured by Boeing Aerostructures Australia in their Melbourne-based facility.

As the first aircraft of its type registered in Australia, Jetstar will work with CASA to certify the B787 locally before it enters commercial service in November in a process common to all new models.

Jetstar has confirmed that its first Boeing 787 will initially fly domestically prior to entering service on international routes by the end of the year. Domestic routes including the Gold Coast and Cairns are currently being considered.

Jetstar Director of the Boeing 787 Program Mark Dal Pra said the domestic flying plan would give more Australians the opportunity to experience the state-of-the-art aircraft.

“This first aircraft will be our only 787 to fly domestically before joining our international network, providing a great window of opportunity for thousands of domestic travellers to experience the 787,” he said.

“The technology of the 787 will deliver a superior travelling experience onboard and it’s great to see our first aircraft so close to completion.”

Features of Jetstar’s Boeing 787 will include:

- Every seat with Panasonic entertainment eX2 systems with video on demand, games and gate- to-gate availability
- New “seat chat”, USB accessibility and in-seat power in both business and economy
- Significantly larger cabin windows with electronic dimmers
- Cleaner air and higher humidity levels on board, assisting with reducing jetlag and fatigue
- Smoother Ride Technology to smooth out turbulence. Less noise with a significantly lower noise footprint than other aircraft in its class
- Larger overhead lockers
- All leather seating

The Qantas Group will invest over $100 million in infrastructure to support Dreamliner operations, creating up to 100 jobs.

Jetstar’s first engineers and pilots have completed 787 training with more pilots and engineers undertaking the program in the next few months. More than 600 Jetstar cabin crew will be trained on the new aircraft.

The aircraft features leading step-change in fuel efficiency and operational performance, with technology that allows the 787 to use up to 20 per cent less fuel = than comparable aircraft.

“This aircraft technology will allow Jetstar to reduce its operating unit costs,” Mr Dal Pra said.

“This means we maintain our ability to keep offering our low fares while providing a better onboard experience.”

Jetstar’s 14 Boeing 787 aircraft will replace its current fleet of Airbus 330 aircraft on longhaul routes. Jetstar will receive three Boeing 787s by the end of this year and will have an all 787 longhaul fleet by 2015.

Jetstar currently operates long haul services from Australia to Bali, Phuket, Bangkok, Honolulu, Tokyo and Osaka and Singapore from Singapore to Beijing, Osaka and Auckland.