Jetstar’s first Boeing 787 is in final stages of assembly ahead of its September delivery in Seattle where the moveable trailing edge components manufactured by Boeing Aerostructures Australia in the Melbourne-based facility is being added.
Jetstar will work with CASA to certify the Boeing 787 locally before it enters into commercial service in November as it is the first aircraft of its type registered in Australia. The Boeing 787 will initially fly domestic routes where Gold Coast and Cairns are being considered. The aircraft will be used for international routes by the end of the year.
Jetstar’s Boeing 787 aircraft will feature:
- 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
- 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 significantly lower noise footprint than other aircraft in its class
- Larger overhead lockers
- All leather seating
Jetstar will have 14 Boeing 787 aircraft in its fleet replacing the current fleet of Airbus A330 aircraft for its longhaul routes. The airline will receive three Boeing 787s by the end of 2013 and will have an all 787 longhaul fleet by 2015.
Jetstar’s longhaul services are operated from Australia to Bali, Phuket, Bangkok, Honolulu, Tokyo and Osaka and Singapore from Singapore to Beijing, Osaka and Auckland.
