Baltimore is Latest U.S. City to Land Regular Boeing Dreamliner Flights

Baltimore is set to become the latest U.S. city to land flights on Boeing’s 787 “Dreamliner.”

That will come next summer, when British Airways will begin using Boeing 787-8 Dreamliners for flights between Baltimore/Washington International (BWI) and its hub at London Heathrow. Starting Aug. 1, British Airways’ 214-seat Dreamliners will replace the Boeing 767s that the carrier currently flies on the route. BA’s long-haul 767s are configured with 189 seats.

News of the aircraft switch was welcomed by officials at BWI, which has seen surging passenger numbers in recent years.

“For business and leisure travelers, London Heathrow is the single most important trans-Atlantic international gateway,” BWI CEO Ricky Smith says in a statement. “British Airways has provided our customers with renowned quality and customer service for many years. We appreciate the new Dreamliner aircraft, which will be an upgrade for our travelers.”

BWI recorded its busiest month in history this past July, when more than 2.3 million passengers flew through the airport. The airport says much of its recent growth has been driven by an increases in international traffic, which is up 31% in 2015 on a year-over-year basis.

As for British Airways’ 787-8 Dreamliners, the carrier has configured them with three classes of service. The aircraft has 35 lie-flat business class seats, 25 “Traveller Plus” premium economy seats and 154 in standard coach.

BWI will becomes British Airways’ fourth U.S. destination to land Dreamliner service. The carrier also has scheduled its one of its two 787 models on routes to Philadelphia; San Jose, Calif. (service launches May 4); and Austin.

In Austin, however, British Airways last month switched to bigger Boeing 777-200 aircraft for its daily service to London Heathrow. British Airways said it did so because of strong demand in that market.

Read original story at USA Today.