British Airways (BA) is to launch scheduled long-haul passenger flights with its new Boeing 787 Dreamliners on September 1, 2013 on the route between London Heathrow and Toronto Pearson International and then on a second route to Newark Liberty International from October 1, 2013. The carrier currently serves both the markets using Boeing 767s as well as larger equipment and the new generation airliner will enable it to better compete with rivals to the two Star Alliance hubs.

BA accepted delivery of its first two aircraft this week with the first arriving at its London Heathrow base just after 12:00pm on June 27, 2013 and the second following shortly after. The airline had revealed earlier this month that its first aircraft was due to arrive in the UK during the morning of June 26, 2013 but after accepting delivery of the aircraft the day before, “minor operational issues” delayed its departure from Boeing’s Paine Field production site.

"The 787 is a tremendous, innovative aircraft which sets new standards for environmental performance and operating efficiency and I'm sure British Airways' customers will love it," said Willie Walsh, Chief Executive Officer of International Airlines Group (IAG), parent of British Airways, following the jets arrival in London. "The 787 will become a mainstay of the British Airways fleet over the next few years."

The first aircraft will initially operate on the London – Toronto route on a daily basis from September 1, 2013, increasing to ten times weekly between September 15, 2013 and October 26, 2013. The Dreamliner will then debut on the London – Newark route on a daily basis from October 1, 2013, increasing to 13 times weekly from October 27, 2013 as additional aircraft arrive.

Before its scheduled launch the type will begin what BA describes as a “complex entry into service programme”, which will see pilot and cabin crew training taking place at Manston Airport in Kent. BA confirms that additional customer service trials will take place at London Heathrow, while short-haul flying will include flights within the UK. The 787 is "likely" to substitute for other equipment on the carrier's London Heathrow - Stockholm Arlanda passenger flights during this training period, according to BA.

The 787 will bring new opportunities for BA and will seat 214 passengers (35 in Club World Business Class, 25 in World Traveller Plus Premium Economy and 154 in World Traveller Economy). In terms of capacity it can act as a direct replacement for its ageing 767-300ER fleet, seating around 20 additional passengers in this three-class configuration. However, its efficiency and operational performance means it is also well placed to open new long-haul markets and to replace larger 777-200ER equipment and right-sizing demand in some particular markets.

We revealed earlier this month that destinations such as Newark Liberty International and Washington Dulles in the US and Calgary International, Montreal Pierre Elliott Trudeau International and Toronto Lester B Pearson International were thought the most likely initial long-haul markets for the jet. The 787 is also well-placed to serve new emerging markets in Asia and could be used effectively on existing routes to India and to expand BA’s activities across Asia.

These initial Dreamliners are the first of 24 787s BA has on order. In addition, IAG recently announced that it will convert 18 787 options to firm orders for the UK carrier, subject to shareholder agreement. Twelve of these will be the new 787-10s, meaning BA will operate the entire 787 family – the 787-8, 787-9 and 787-10.

You can view the planned flight schedule for the aircraft on our blog, Airline Route, here.