How Our 787 Will Be Made
Chloe Joint, PR manager for Thomson Airways talks us through a recent trip to Dreamliner HQ in Seattle.
Until I started working for Thomson nearly a year ago, I didn’t know much about the differences between one plane and another. But after a few months working as part of the team that will bring the first Thomson 787 into service, I now find myself fascinated by our new aircraft.
I was lucky enough to be asked to accompany a journalist from The Mirror and presenter and cameraman from ITV to Seattle to see the Dreamliner production, and learn about how our 787 will be made.
We flew to Seattle just a couple of days after Boeing had brought the Dreamliner to the UK for the Dream Tour, so had already had a couple of days seeing how the interior of the aircraft looks, and seeing it fly. We were all looking forward to learning how it was made.
Our time in Seattle was fantastic – we saw Boeing’s Customer Experience Centre (complete with full scale mock ups of all the current Boeing aircraft), the Dreamliner Gallery (the ultimate shopping experience for an airline wanting to kit out their new plane) the 737 production line and Seattle itself. The highlight was, of course, the 787 production facility. All of Boeing’s aircraft apart from the 737 are made in this building – so the scale is vast. To give you an idea, all of Disneyland (including the car parks) would fit into factory.
As the central walkway between all the production lines is a kilometre long, it’s no wonder that Boeing provides bicycles for its staff to get around, and arranged golf carts for our tour.
On our way to the 787 line, we also saw 777 in production as well as 747-800. But the main attraction was definitely the 787 line. The aircraft currently spends 12 days in the factory – this will decrease down to about six to eight days by the time our first 787s are made. It is such a short amount of time because the fuselage arrives in three parts, that just need assembling together. It’s very different to a traditional aircraft that needs assembling in sections. I was really impressed how they get the fuselage from Italy, where it’s made, to Seattle. It’s all transported in an adapted 747 – the ‘Dreamlifter’.
Once inside the factory, the fuselage moves through a number of stages – from the individual sections being joined together and the wings and engines attached, to the wiring completed and seats and interior installed. It then moves to another part of Boeing’s Seattle operations to be painted into an individual airline’s livery. Until then, the only identifiable markings are the tail fin (already painted in the livery) and the banner towards the front of the aircraft detailing the customer. I can’t wait to see the first banner saying ‘Proudly building the first 787 for Thomson Airways’.
Wow.
Can you share some HD pictures?
Thanks.
Hi Muzamil,
The only photos we have at the moment are the ones on our blog but if we get any more, we’ll make sure we share these with everyone.
So when will Thomson’s first 787 be built. Are they still on schedule for May 1st 2013 for it’s first flight to Orlando?
Hi Jane, We’re getting our delivery early next year and everything is still on schedule for the Dreamliner flying dates in May 2013. Hope that helps.
please forward to customer servace dept
I purches a late deal on the 3-7-2012for a Med crusie .1)
I was told it would be a AI deal turns out it was full board
2) i was told to have travel with euros but they only accepted pounds on board
3) i rang your office to see what the socket requirements were again i was incorrectly informed
i am somewhat suprissed that your staff are selling these packages and no one has a clue what they are selling ,It may not seem like a lot but when you add it up it come to a sizable sum ,i spent £240 on drinks that i did not account for .i changed £500 and lost on the commenision which i did not have to .Had to purchase am adapter when i had the correct type at home but was miss informed by your information desk no less
The holiday was lovely but the overall performance of your staff has left a bad taste in my mouth
I’m sorry to hear about the problems you’ve experienced, Robert but the Social Media Team who monitor this blog are unable to respond to complaints – so you will need to contact our After Travel Team directly with your concerns. They can be contacted by post or by using the online form found on our ‘contact us’ page – http://www.thomson.co.uk/editorial/legal/contact-us-package-holidays.html
i intend booking a family holiday from east midlands to florida sometime in may or june 2013 have been told dreamliner not available in june please advise why this is please
Hi Nigel, The Dreamliner flights start in May. Please see our flying schedule to see which flights we have from East Midlands to Florida on the Dreamliner – http://dreamliner.thomson.co.uk/flying-schedule/.
Can you advise me what the seat width in economy will be please. Lots of comments about the pitch but can’t find details of the seat width. Thanks
Hi Bob, Unfortunately we don’t have this information at the moment but we’ll hopefully be able to advise on this closer to Dreamliner delivery.
any plans to fly dreamliner on aruba route june 2013 ?
Hi David, We’re only going to be flying to Mexico and Florida next year on the Dreamliner. Hopefully we can add further destinations to our Dreamliner routes in the future.
Yes i know about the pitch of the seats in premium class but what is the width of the seat from arm rest to arm rest?
Hi Gary, On average the width between arm rests in premium economy is 19.5 inches.
waiting reply on question about seating capacity
Hi Patricia, The seat capacity is 291. I hope that helps.
I’ve read in the press that when you get your first 787′s, you’ll be ‘testing’ them out on short-haul routes to begin with. Is that true, and will you be telling people what these flights might be so we can get an early experience of the plane?
Hi David, We’re not aware of this but if we do get anything further information, we’ll let you know.
hi,have Boeing already started work on the Thomson 787′s ????if not do you know when they will start?
Hi Jordan, We get our delivery early next year so any work would be completed before then.
Plane looks fab but please explain why it is so much more expensive to fly from Glasgow to Forida, than from Manchester, and with Virgin its about £40 pp dif and your almost £400pp, thank you
Hi Sandra, There’s many various factors that are taken into consideration when pricing our holidays and flights. I’m unable to comment on other tour operator costs but I’ll be sure to pass your feedback onto our Flight team for you.
thank you Lauren I just feel £800pp give or take in june from glasgow , and manchester is £450 pp or there abouts is shocking,
hi will you be doing new food for the plane as i have to say the food you do now is bad i now take my own food when i go as your food is well bad you need to look at ana they have well good food on there planes
Hi Paul, We will be reviewing the food we offer onboard the Dreamliners so we may introduce a new menu.
may introduce a new menu so your
drem hol on the Dreamliner will be recked by bad food i think you need a new menu asap it is well bad your food and we pay good cash for are hols with you and you cant get good food for us all that use thomson you do know how to look after us not
Hi Paul, Thanks for your further feedback and I’ll pass this on to the relevant team.
Well said Paul got to agree I have used many airlines and got to say when it comes to food thompsons are the worst and have also found there planes to be the most uncomfortabe so lets hope this dreamliner lives up to expectations then maybe i will fly thompson to mexico if reviews are good as it is now i try to avois using this airline
It looks like your new dream liner is a 3/3/3 configeration does this mean youll be filling all the seats? as my husband and I like to travel as a couple. I dont travel well and need a window seat, my partner doesnt like to be closed in and prefers an isle seat would this be a problem to be able to sit on our own anymore
Hi Paula, We’re unable to allow you to select a window and aisle seat as this would create empty single middle seats. This would then reduce the number of seats left together for families to choose from and would cause families to be split up. But you’re still be able to select your seat numbers in line with what you’ve booked.
Hi, I’m scheduled to fly from glasgow to mexico in late june. Is the delivery schedule to Tui still on schedule? thanks
Hi Richard, We’re still expecting to receive the Dreamliners on time. If anything was to affect your holiday then we’d let you know.
Hello
Is there a seat plan available yet please?
Thanks
Hi Mall, We haven’t got the seat plans available at the moment.
Thanks
Hello
Are thomson worried about all the issues which seem to have happened in the last week with 787 planes? I’m due to fly on the dreamliner in July to mexico and must say the issues have caught my eye.
Hi James, Having checked with Boeing we have no reason to believe the delivery of our first 787 Dreamliner will be delayed. Our first Thomson Dreamliner is still on track to be delivered early this year. Boeing has reassured us that they are taking action to rectify the issues highlighted to them.
is settle the last assembly point and we will be able to see it on it final assembly in settle or is it going some were else
Hi Wendy, Our Dreamliner’s are being completely assembled in Everett, Washington.
do you mean evrett seattle the final assembly is then or washington
Hi Wendy, It’ll be in Everett, Washington.
hi im due to fly in may to orlando with all the problems the 787s seem to be having recently will there be a delay with your order
Hi Chris,
We’ve spoken directly to Boeing who have reassured us that they are working to rectify all issues highlighted to them as quickly as possible. At this current time, Boeing have advised us that this won’t affect our delivery dates.
Hello
Given the grounding of all Dreamliners is it fair to presume that there will now be a delay in Thomson taking delivery of them?
Thanks
Hi Mall, Having checked with Boeing we’ve no reason to believe the delivery of our first 787 Dreamliner will be delayed. Our first Thomson Dreamliner is still on track to be delivered early this year. Boeing has reassured us that they are taking action to rectify the issues highlighted to them, and we’re still working towards our first commercial Dreamliner flight date of 1st May 2013.
Many thanks
Hi im flying to mexico August just wondered if there are charging points for laptops on the dreamliner. Thanks
Hi Ross, The Dreamliner will have iphone and USB posts available to you.
Hi Ross, There will be USB connectivity onboard the Dreamliner so you can charge personal devices. Have a great time in August.
Thank you
Hello.
I realise there is a lot of uncertainty regarding Dreamliner. I realise that Thomson hope to have it in service in May still.
My question is if the Dreamliner isn’t in service will Thomson provide alternative planes. My main concern would be my holiday being cancelled.
Please can you let me know?
Thanks
Hi, Thanks for your message. We understand your concerns. At the moment it’s still too early to distinguish the outcome of the investigation that Boeing are currently undergoing on their aircraft’s. Once this has been fully investigated and a solution has been found, we’ll be able to forward this onto our customers. We’re currently working very closely with Boeing in order to have the issues resolved and have not received any communication from them regarding changes to our scheduled delivery dates. At this current time we’re still working towards flying our first 787 Dreamliner on May 1st. However if there was to be a programme change regarding our flights, then all of our passengers will be notified and given options by our Programme Change Team. At that point we can look at individual circumstances but until then normal booking conditions are still in place. I hope this helps.
Hello
Many thanks for your answer, but my real concern has not been answered.
I realise that things are still unclear and there will be options.
Perhaps the Programme Change Team can assist. What I really wanted to know is, if the Dreamliner is not available, will Thomson provide the option of another plane to get us to Florida on the same date so our holiday still goes ahead? Do Thomson have access to spare planes either their own or ‘hired’.
Please can you clarify this?
regards
Mall
Hi Mall, Thanks for your message. The new 787 Dreamliner is still on track to be delivered to us and our first scheduled flight to be from May 1st. Unfortunately we don’t have any further information regarding the change of aircraft’s. We do of course have a change policy for all of our aircraft’s, which includes the new 787 Dreamliner. It details that if for some reason we need to make a change through-out the season with our aircraft fleet, then we may do so. We will then notify affected customers as soon as possible with their new aircraft information. I hope this helps answer your query and that you go to have a wonderful holiday.
Thanks James
Hi, please could you advise on the seat width in economy and premium class from arm rest to arm rest? i know about the pitches but the width would be helpful to know. thank you
Hi Mel, The seat widths are as follows, the Premium Club seats are 19 inches and the Economy Club seats will be 17.5 inches.
Hi Mel, I’m afraid you’re far too optimistic about the Dreamliner. Having retired from Rolls Royce with many years of inside experience I can advise your customers that there will be a very long delay possibly months before any Dreamliner flys again. It’s principly down to the FAA when it flys again and they feel in some way that Boeing have let them down when they advised them (the FAA) that the batteries were tested and there were no problems. But I take another stand, the old cliche: better to be safe than sorry. I will still continue to fly with you even it’s not a Dreamliner !
Booking Ref: 1768/1024412.
I would like a straight answer please. At this moment in time it looks like the dreamliner will not be flying in may. This does on concern me to much as I do not mind whta plane you use. What I am concerned about is that we will still fly in Premium Economy seats. Can you please confirm that the replacement aircraft will still be able to accommodate my wife and I in premium economy seats.
Hi Larry, We have still not received our new delivery date from Boeing however should you not be travelling on the 787 Dreamliner premium cabin seat, where possible we will re-allocate you onto a Thomson Airways 767 aircraft with a premium cabin seat. This means as you paid extra for our 787 premium cabin, you’ll be offered the same service you would have received on the 787 aircraft.
Sorry to bother you again, could you explain the term ‘Where possible’ in your answer to my question. does this mean it might not happen?if so what happens then?
Hi Larry, Once we have a delivery date confirmed by Boeing, should there be any changes to flights, we’d contact all customers as soon as possible.
NOT EVERYONE CHOOSES TO PAY EXTRA FOR PREMIUM SEATS . BUT IN THESE BLOGS IF YOU HAVE PAID FOR PREMIUM SEAT YOU WILL BE OFFERED THE SAME SERVICE BUT IF WE ARE IN ECOMOMY SEAT ARE WE GOING TO GET LESS OF A SERVICE . I DID NOT WISH TO PAY ANYMORE I DO NOT HAVE ANY GAGETS I POD ECT, I DONT WANT TO WATCH UPMTEEN TELEVISIONS/ FILMS I DONT WANT I DONT DRINK ALCOHOL. SO WHAT ELSE DIFFERENT IS THERE IN THE PREMIUN CLASS. GOOD CUSTOMERS RELATION THOMPSON I DON NOT FEEL LIKE A VALUED CUSTOMER AND I WILL NOT BE USING YOUR AIRLINE FOR FUTHER HOILDAYS
Hi Mags, It’s a shame you feel this way. You do receive more benefits if you choose to fly in our Premium Club, for example a four course meal and larger seat pitch. Those customers who’ve not paid for a premium cabin will, should any changed be made, will be allocated seats in a Thomson Airways 767 economy cabin. Those in economy will also receive the same level of service they would have received on the 787 Dreamliner.
Excuse me, you are failing to answer a simple question. What i want to know is will Thomson still put us in Premium Economy irrespective of what type of aircraft we will be on ( which I assume will be a 767). I’m not concerned what plane we fly on I just need upgraded seats. Is this possible?
Hi Larry, Where possible we’ll look to re-allocate customers onto a Thomson Airways 767. We operate a number of 767′s and the size of our premium cabin varies. Once we have more information from Boeing regarding delivery dates we’ll be able to look at which 767’s we have available to use in our fleet.
Hi. I am flying MAN-CUN on 14/06/13. I know this is not a dreamliner flight but can you tell me the seat layout on this aircraft ie 2-4-2/2-3-2 etc.
Hi Thomas, If you could send us the flight number, the one beginning TOM we can check this for you.
Regarding my last communication, surley you will just use the same planes that are in service at the moment. I am booked ‘Premuim Economy’ and just want confirmation we will be accommodated in this section irrespective of plane type, is this too much to ask.Comments please.
Hi Larry, The replacement aircraft that we’ll be using if we do have to make any changes will be a 767. We have 2 different seating configurations on our 767′s so we wouldn’t know which plane would be used until we had made the change.
Do both plane have the same number or more of Premuim Economy seats as the Dreamliner. What numbers do each plane have?
Hi Larry, Some of the configurations have more Premium seating and some have less, we’ll update you with more information regarding seating if we do have to make changes to the aircraft.
If, as you say, you only have two seating configurations, what are they?
Hi Larry, I can see that my colleague has answered this in your last question. We need to assess which aircraft we’ll have available to operate Dreamliner flights should there be a change. We’ll contact customers who are affected once any contingency plans are in place.
I’m simply asking, if you have two seat configurations on 767′s you must surley no how many seats there are, in Premium Economy, on each plane . Or is it too difficult to work out.
Hi Larry, We’re aware of how many seats are on each plane configuration. Where possible we’ll allocate customers to a Boeing 767 with enough Premium seats. As soon as Boeing confirm our delivery schedule, should there be any customers impacted, we will immediately contact those customers to confirm all details.
I wish thomsons would stop saying that those passengers who have booked premium economy on the dreamliner will still get the same service if they are switched onto premium on a 767, this is most definitely not the case or am I missing something, will we still get 38″ pitch seat, state of the art I.f.e, moodlighting, higher oxygen levels (apparently to combat jet lag)’ the list of benefits go on according to your advertising????? The only similarity will be the cabin crew!
Hi I fly in June to Mexico which I am looking forward to. I am not on a dreamliner flight which I am pleased about. If the dreamliner does not clock up enough airmails due to late delivery will this be used on other Florida and Mexico flights not currently in the schedule?. And if this should be the case will non dreamliner customers be advised of the change? I only ask as I would not want to fly on this plane at this time due to being a very very nervous flyer. I do hope those people who want to and are dissapointed do get the chance. Thank you.
Hi Michelle, As you’ve not booked to fly on a scheduled Dreamliner flight, you won’t be flying on this aircraft.
I’ve booked a holiday from glasgow to cancun departing 2/9/13 (tom518). I booked with first choice online after discussing with adviser in Thomson’s shop. I was advised that it would be the Dreamliner so never thought to check. On Thomson’s web sight it states Dreamliner but on first choice it doesn’t. I assume they will be the same flights. Could you please advise me on which aircraft we will be travelling on assuming dream liners are up and running.
Thanks
Hi Angela, If you can send me your booking reference number I can check this for you.
I am not booked onto a Dreamliner flight,nor ,after experiencingThomson ‘customer care’ first hand will I ever travel with your company again. Indeed after over 45 years of using Thomson , even back in the day of ‘Thomson Skytours , your rcent response to our problem was very dissapointing . However , i admire the way you are publishing and dealing with responses to this latest issue , it is not the people at Thomson who are the problem , it is the company policy regarding the hadling of complaints .
Hi Jim, I’m sorry to hear you’re not happy with the service you’ve received from us. Is there anything I can help you with?
Elaine ,thank you for your reponse , if you can access an email I received fro Elaine Wheeler ref s12//ew you will be able to judge the issue I refer to . What has so dissapointed both myself and wife ,is that this could have been easily and cheaply resolved , £45 was all that was in question , on our part , it has become an issue not just for the amount, but for the dismissive way we were treated .There are a lot of tour operators out there who will be pleased to take us on holiday , but thank you again for responding and hopefully looking into the circumstances leading up to this . It is never to late to say sorry .
jim
Hi Jim, I’m disappointed to hear this, I’ve spoken to our After Travel Team, who’ve fully investigated your concerns and have advised this is their final response. If you’re not happy with the response you’ve received from them, you’d now need to seek third party advice. I realise this may not be the answer you’re hoping for, but if I can be of further assistance please don’t hesitate to get back in touch.
Thank you Elaine , I am not at all surprised and do not want the ‘aggro’ of going to third party . Since talking with you we have added up all the holidays taken with Thomson , its over 45 , it is rather sad to think that this counts for nothing in respect of our problem .
Another operator when told of this said ‘ give me two customers and I would gladly hand over £45′ . Thomson will not , as such this will be the very last communniction with your company , my final request would be that our emails be forwarded to your CEO , I would be interested to know if he/she is actually aware of the draconian methods used by your customer services ,
Many thanks for your interest and attempt to reslove our issue.
Jim
Hi Jim, If you wish to take this further you’re welcome to contact the After Travel Team again – http://www.thomson.co.uk/editorial/send-us-an-email-postTravel.html.
To all the people crying over the dreamliner would you rather fly on a dreamliner thats not safe or a 767 that is proven over the last 15 – 20 years.
Looks like it shouldn’t be too long before you get yours as the grounding has been lifted. Be sure to upload some pictures !
any news on the width of the seats on the dreamliner, this is a major factor when booking for a lot of people?
Hi Alan, The width of our Premium Club seats are 19″ and Economy Club are 17.5″. There are approximate as you get a slight variation depending are where you sit. I hope this helps and if you’ve any further questions please let me know.
Why are you not flying to the Caribbean from Scotland. What have you got agains us?
Hi A.Henderson, Our flights will be scheduled due to demand from customers, if you would like to check our full flying schedule, you can visit our website – http://flights.thomson.co.uk/thomson/en-GB/timetable/default
Would you be able to advise seat width on the Dreamliner and if required are you still able to get a seatbelt extension.
Hi, The seat width for Premium club is 19 inches and for Economy Club is 17.5 inches. These are approximate as you get a slight variation depending on where the seat is located. You’ll be able to request a seat belt extension from the Cabin Crew. I hope this helps and if you’ve any further questions please let me know.
Thank you for your help. We are prebooking our seat, and were going to sit closer to the back of the plane. Would you be able to advise where you think the best seats would be for seat width? We are unable to book the seats with additional leg room as we have children. Thank you.
Hi, Unfortunately as all sizes are approximate we’d be unable to advise on this. Sorry for any disappointment.
Will the dreamliner on the Jamaica route by the 3rd of feb 2014 ?
Hi Tony, The Dreamliner is scheduled to start flying to Jamaica from November 2013. I hope this helps and if you’ve got any further questions please let me know.
Thank you Eaine that’s great news.