Flag carrier Air Canada has taken delivery of its first Boeing 787-9, a larger version of the Dreamliner 787-8 already in its fleet.

The Dreamliner is the world's most modern commercial aircraft and the larger 787-9 version's greater range and capacity will enable Air Canada to further expand its international network.

"Air Canada is very excited to take delivery of its first Boeing 787-9. This new aircraft's larger capacity and greater range will accelerate our international expansion strategy and allow us to offer customers more non-stop services to new international destinations,” said Benjamin Smith, president, Passenger Airlines at Air Canada

“Already, we have announced two new 787-9 routes to Delhi and Dubai from Toronto beginning this fall and as more of these aircraft enter the fleet we will expand our international network even further," Smith said.

The first designated routes for the Boeing 787-9 are non-stop services from Toronto to Delhi beginning November 1 and to Dubai beginning November 3.

In the interim, customers will have the opportunity to preview the new aircraft on select flights between Toronto and Vancouver during August and between Toronto and the cities of Munich and Milan during September and October. Future deployments of the 787-9 Dreamliner will be announced as new aircraft enter service.

The Boeing 787-9 will seat 298 passengers and have a range of 15,372 km, compared with the Boeing 787-8, which is configured to carry 251 passengers with a range of 14,500 km. All Dreamliners will feature Air Canada's redesigned interiors in a three-cabin configuration, including International Business with fully lie-flat seats, Premium Economy and Economy. Air Canada's next generation seatback in-flight entertainment system will be available throughout. – TradeArabia news Service