As construction continues at the Calgary International Airport on what will become the longest runway in Canada, one of Europe’s largest airlines has announced their intention to utilize the 4,267 metre landing strip.
Beginning in the summer of 2014, British Airways will shuttle Calgarians across the pond to London Heathrow in a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, one of the world’s largest models of commercial aircraft, with daily scheduled flights.
The Boeing 787 Dreamliner has a wingspan of nearly 60 metres and the distance from the nose of the aircraft to the tail is approximately 60 metres. The aircraft is capable of transporting more than 250 passengers
Calgary was one of three North American destinations added to British Airways Dreamliner schedule for 2014 joining Austin, Texas and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
"We also have our 787s on our Newark and Toronto routes and to add Washington, Philadelphia, Austin and Calgary to our network of new aircraft shows the importance of this market,” said Sean Doyle, Executive Vice President for British Airways in the Americas. “We're receiving great customer feedback and I'm delighted that we are able to showcase our new aircraft and new interiors to more customers across North America."
The fourth runway at the Calgary International Airport is scheduled to open in May of 2014.
British Airways first scheduled Dreamliner flights between Calgary and London are scheduled for July 5, 2014, during the first weekend of the Calgary Stampede.