Dreamliner begins long-haul international operations

"Air India's Dreamliner to Frankfurt marks a new era of its operations with the state-of-the-art aircraft on the long haul routes as well," a statement from the national carrier said.

The airline received the first 787 Dreamliner from the US-based aircraft manufacturer Boeing on September 8, after a wait of four years. So far, Air India has received three Dreamliners. The aircraft is equipped with 18 business class seats and 238 in the economy class.

Touted as the game changer for Air India, the ailing national carrier had earlier planned to operate Dreamliner planes for flights to Australia and southeast Asian countries, including Japan.

Till now, these aircraft were being deployed on the domestic sectors - apart from operations between Delhi and Dubai, a medium-haul sector.

The flight (AI 121) from Delhi to the German city took off from the IGI airport here with Captain A Soman in Command and Captain Nikhil Dongre as co-pilot, the statement said.

With eight more planes joining the airline's fleet by March, Air India plans to start new routes between India-US, India-Europe and India-Australia with the help of these aircraft. Air India has ordered for 27 Dreamliners.