Europe’s first Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft landed in the UK last week.

Virgin Atlantic Airways is the first European airline to take delivery of the 787-9 and plans to launch the aeroplane on its London Heathrow to Boston route on October 28.

The 787-9 touched down at London’s Gatwick Airport following a more than 7,400-kilometre non-stop flight from Paine Field in Everett, Washington.

The aeroplane will provide an unrivalled passenger experience

The plane, named “Birthday Girl” in reference to the UK carrier’s 30th anniversary, is the first of 16 787-9s Virgin Atlantic has ordered from Boeing.

“The first 787-9 in Europe will be a flagship for Virgin Atlantic’s fleet, providing greatly improved efficiencies across its routes,” said Todd Nelp, vice president of European sales, Boeing Commercial Airplanes.“The aeroplane will provide an unrivalled passenger experience, cementing Virgin Atlantic’s reputation as a true innovator in air travel.”

After rolling out the 787-9s to its UK to eastern US routes, Virgin Atlantic plans to introduce them on other longer-haul services.

A time-lapse video of the Boeing team constructing “Birthday Girl” is available to watch at www.youtube.com/watch?v=rKQQHfquBa8#t=57.

With the fuselage stretched by 20 feet over the 787-8, the 787-9 will fly up to 40 more passengers an additional 830 kilometres with the same environmental performance: 20 per cent less fuel use and 20 per cent fewer emissions than the airplanes they replace.

The airplane leverages the design of the 787-8, offering passenger-pleasing features such as large windows, large stow bins, modern LED lighting, higher humidity, a lower cabin altitude, cleaner air and a smoother ride.

Based out of London’s Gatwick and Heathrow Airports, as well as Manchester and Glasgow Airports, Virgin Atlantic operates a fleet of approximately 40 aircraft.

Along with its first 787-9, the British operator also has 12 747-400s operating on routes across North America, the Caribbean, Africa and Asia.