Biman adds Dreamliner to its fleet Sunday

FT ONLINE

Boeing Dreamliner 787-8 will arrive at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) on Sunday afternoon to join the fleet of Biman Bangladesh Airlines.

It is going to be the fifteenth aircraft to join the national flag carrier’s fleet.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, scheduled to inaugurate the first flight on Sept 1, has named the jetliner Akash Beena.

The Boeing 787-8, designed to be 20 per cent fuel efficient, has a total of 271 seats with 24 in business class and 247 in economy class.

The aircraft will initially be used to operate flights from Dhaka to Singapore and Kuala Lumpur.

It will provide its passengers with wifi services at a height of 43,000 feet.

The aircraft will also have in-flight entertainment system.

It will also provide facilities for online shopping, with a credit card or cash payment allowed on the on-board duty-free shop.

In 2008, Biman Bangladesh Airlines signed a US$2.1 billion agreement with aircraft manufacturer Boeing to purchase 10 new aircraft.

So far, four new Boeing 777-300 and two Boeing 737-800 aircraft were commissioned.