Thomson and First Choice will be able to offer packages holidays from airports like Bristol direct to Honolulu once they start using the Boeing 787 Dreamliner.
Thomson Airways managing director Chris Browne said that was one of the routes that could be offered when its Dreamliners are deployed at regional airports.
Browne said the company intended to operate its Dreamliners from Gatwick, Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol, East Midlands and Glasgow airports.
The arrival of the aircraft will massively expand the Tui-owned operators’ options for their long-haul leisure programme.
The Dreamliner’s 8,500 nautical mile range will allow them to offer direct flights to destinations such as Hawaii, as well as the hugely popular Thai resort of Phuket, which Thomson has so far been unable to offer.
Browne said recent research for the company showed 43% of those questioned picked Hawaii as the top destination they would want from their local airport.
It also revealed that the Dreamliner would open up a market for seven-day long-haul packages because of its potential to reduce jet lag.
Boeing believes the aircraft will massive reduce the physical impact of flying because the air supply will be more humid so will leave passengers less dehydrated, and the lighting will mimic the sunset and sunrise times of the destination.
And Browne said customers had told Tui they would be prepared to take week-long long-haul holidays if they did not arrive jet lagged.
Other destinations likely to be added to the Thomson and First Choice programmes are Costa Rica and Brazil in central and south America, as well as others in Asia and Africa.
Click here to view original article by Chris Gray, TTG Live, Monday 19th July, 2010
